In this day and age it seems like we are all worried about trying to do as little as possible and get as much as possible. With the lottery, weight loss pills, and every other quick fix we struggle to get by with cutting corners. Jacob wanted to marry Rachel and new that meant paying the price to Laban her father. Even after working for Laban 7 years to win her hand he then had to marry Leah first and work another 7 years to be able to marry Rachel. Finally ready to leave Laban still felt he wanted more. In Genesis 31:38-42 we see Jacob's response.
"For twenty years I have been with you, caring for your flocks. In all that time your sheep and goats never miscarried. In all those years I never used a single ram of yours for food. If any were attacked and killed by wild animals, I never showed you the carcass and asked you to reduce the count of your flock. No, I took the loss myself! You made me pay for every stolen animal, whether it was taken in broad daylight or in the dark of night. I worked for you through the scorching heat of the day and through cold and sleepless nights. Yes, for twenty years I slaved in your house! I worked for fourteen years earning your two daughters, and then six more years for your flock. And you changed my wages ten times! In fact, if the God of my father had not been on my side-the God of Abraham and the fearsome God of Isaac-you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen your abuse and my hard work. That is why he appeared to you last night and rebuked you!"
We each need to make a habit of doing more than expected for many reasons:
1. It pleases God
2. It earns recognition and advancement. It enhances your reputation. It builds others' confidence in you
3. It gives you more experience and knowledge
4. It develops your spiritual maturity
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