“Then I realised that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labour under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.” – Ecc 5:18-20 (NIV)
Happy in work
“What could I do for God now?” asked Onni when he retired from a career in finance almost 10 years ago. He and his wife initially thought of joining a missions organisation in Ethiopia, but that didn’t take off. Through looking at opportunities with OM, Onni reconnected with MediaWorks, the team he had volunteered with as a foreign student in Vienna during the 70s, and offered to be their bookkeeper. “In retirement, I [also] received from God the kind of work to do that gives me joy,” he said.
“God can give each of us jobs that bring us joy,” encouraged Onni, inspired by verses in Ecclesiastes. “When we receive this, we don’t need to keep searching because we know the way we should go.”
“We can serve in different ways,” he continued. “But it’s important that we ask God: ‘What do you have for me to do?’”
A cheerful giver
Similarly, as a bookkeeper, Onni encourages those he works with to pray about their finances. “The important thing regarding giving is to ask God what we should support and then be faithful in that,” said Onni, acknowledging that there are so many needs in this world.
“It is very important we learn to give regularly in the knowledge that what we give comes from Him,” he explained. “I think when we do this, then we also receive what we need.”
Gladness of heart
“Most important of all, is to have a heart for God,” emphasised Onni. “It’s His responsibility how He leads us and uses us.”
Since Onni discovered Jesus over 50 years ago, he has experienced how the joy of knowing his Saviour leads to joy in serving and giving. In turn, his actions reflect his faith to others. “God has given me gifts and I can use them for Him. Through this, people see that Jesus is alive,” he described. As MediaWorks supports ministries to share the gospel through media, more individuals can find gladness of heart through a personal relationship with Christ.
“Being on the team, it’s very good to see what God is doing all around the world,” said Onni. “Nothing has changed from God’s side: He is at work and people are finding a living relationship with Him. I’m so glad to be part of this ministry!”
Onni lives in Finland with his wife Päivi. When he is not managing MediaWorks’ funds, he enjoys playing ice hockey, organising his church men’s group and looking after his grandchildren.
