TAKE THIS JOB, AND LOVE IT!

TAKE THIS JOB, AND LOVE IT! Colossians 3:22-4:1 May 26, 2002 Given by: Pastor Rich Bersett [Index of Past Messages] Introductory The Bible is a practical book. Its truths speak to the very real issues of life. In the recent weeks of this teaching series in the book of Colossians, we have see Paul the apostle apply the wisdom of God to such critical areas of living as the husband and wife relationship and the parent and child relationship. Today's teaching has to do with the area of life where most of us as adults spend upwards of 50% of our waking hours - work. Our text for this morning is taken from Colossians 3:22-4:1. Before we read the passage let me remind you that the term "slaves" used in this text should not bring to mind a picture of the early American form of slavery, which was immoral and brutal. In the first century Roman culture, the kind of slavery Paul is talking about an arranged employment. So it is more accurate for us to replace the words "slaves" and "masters" with the contemporary terms, "employees" and "bosses". "Slaves [employees], obey your earthly masters [bosses] in everything; and do it not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. Masters [bosses], provide your slaves [employees] with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master [Boss} in heaven. As an important backdrop to this teaching I want to affirm three broad biblical principles concerning the topic of work/employment. 1. God established work as a "holy pursuit" even before Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden. Genesis 2:15 says "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." Work is not a part of the curse resulting from sin. When the Fall occurred, there were a few direct consequences, one of which was the fact that God cursed the ground. Here's how Genesis 3:17 records it - "To Adam he [the Lord] said, 'Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you ,"You must not eat of it," Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.'" From that point on in our short human history, work has been less a pleasure and more - well, work.. So the first biblical principle to remember as we enter this study is that the Lord established work as a "holy pursuit" prior to the Fall. Work is God's will for men and women. 2. Another broad biblical principle we should remember is that work, at any level, and in all forms-except sinful behaviors-is noble. It is not the money/pay that is honorable, nor is it the promotions and career development that is noble-it is the mere issue of work. To work is good and noble before God, no matter the kind of work that is done. From the secretary to the CEO, from junior executive to janitor, work is honorable before God. 3. Even before A & E sinned (Gen. 2:15, 3:17), so… Work (at any level, in all forms) is noble (not money, promotions) (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12) "Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever"(Westminster Confession) Work is a part of life, and though it was altered at the Fall (i.e., "by the sweat of your brow"), it is "renewed" and "redeemed" at your conversion - 2 Cor 5:17 These principles ought to encourage us toward EXCELLENCE in all we do. "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17) "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Colossians 3:22) I believe that the Lord would have us be encouraged in this matter--that every simple act of competence and integrity glorifies God and slips from the category of the mundane into eternal significance. One author said, "It's hard to feel aimless when you see God at work through what you're doing." Often we aren't able to SEE God at work in what we are doing, even though we have dedicated our efforts to Him and His glory. In those moments we must trust in His plan as revealed in Colossians 3:22-24. There is another area of comment that might be appropriate here. One of the biggest lies of the enemy is that we ought to receive our esteem from our work. Let me say clearly and emphatically that, if you are relying on your work, your career or your perfectionism in the things you do to bring you a sense of worth, you are dooming yourself to misery and frustration. We are NOT to receive our esteem from any other source than God. In The Prison Chronicle, Alexander Solzenitsyn wrote,"Don't be afraid of misfortune and do not yearn after happiness. It is, after all, all the same. The bitter doesn't last forever, and the sweet never fills the cup to overflowing. It is enough if you don't freeze in the cold, and if hunger and thirst don't claw at your sides. If you back isn't broken, if your feet can walk, if both arms work, if both eyes can see, and if both ears can hear, then whom should you envy? And why? Our envy of others devours us most of all. Rub your eyes and purify your heart and prize above all else in the world those who love you & wish you well." What does God want for you? He wills for you to be satisfied and content wherever you are, regardless of the circumstances you're in. The story is told of a rich up-and-coming thirty-something who parked his beautiful new Lexus on the right side of a one way street and opened the door to get out when another came by at a high rate of speed and crashed into the door, tearing it from its hinges. A policeman was nearby and came right over to the scene of the hit-and-run. The young man had jumped out of his car and was screaming at the top of his lungs, "My Lexus! My Lexus!" The cop sardonically said, "You self-centered yuppies are all alike! Look at you all worried about your precious car! You don't even realize that you lost your left arm in that accident!" The man looked down at his armless left sleeve. Then he began screaming again, "My Rolex! My Rolex!" Philippians 4:11-13 "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Please note that passage includes the ever-popular verse 13, which is quoted and misquoted in all kinds of ways. But if you will take it in its true context, the way Paul meant it to be understood, you will see what he really means about being able to do all things through Christ who gives strength. What he doesn't mean is that through Christ he will have super-human abilities to get what he wants, to be rich or successful or famous. In fact, a third-grader can figure out that may be just the OPPOSITE of his intended meaning here. He is saying Christ gives me strength to endure and be content even when I have little. Philippians is hardly a proof-text for health and wealth. Rather, it is the motto of the truly contented person-the person who has found in Christ all he ever needs. Let me further suggest that, even in the larger issues of our lives, Christ wants us to experience contentment. That contentment never comes through our accomplishing what we want-retirement by age 55, executive status by age 40, three cars and a boat in an oversized garage, or whatever your personal career goals might be. Your true, godly contentment comes through relationship with the Lord. An older commercial said, "If you've got your health, you've got everything!" Forget it! That won't satisfy you because, I guarantee, someday you won't have your health! It is in your living relationship with the Lord God that you will find contentment. When he discusses money issues in very frank and open fashion in 1 Timothy 6, the apostle Paul posits this important truth in the center of his argument - "But godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6:6). It is in that context he also shares those significant words (also often misquoted): "The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." 1 Timothy 6:10). Note well, it is not money, but the LOVE of money that is a root of all kinds of evil. Money, rightly handled in godly fashion, is GOOD, not bad. Likewise, CAREERS, rightly handled in godly fashion, are good. Find your contentment in God. I re-read a Hawaiian fable recently, entitled, "The Stonecutter" "Once upon a time, a stonecutter lived all alone. Though he had acquired great skills, he was very poor. He lived in a tiny bamboo hut and wore tattered clothing. One day as the stonecutter worked with his hammer and chisel upon a huge stone, he heard a crowd gathering along the streets. By their shouts he could tell that the king was coming to visit his humble village. Joining in the procession, the stonecutter gazed in as the king, dressed in marvelous silk, was greeted by his subjects. 'Oh how I wish I had the power and glory of the king,' he thought. 'He has soldiers at his command. There is no one more powerful.' His cry was heard in the heavens, and immediately the humble stonecutter was transformed into a powerful king. He found himself riding on a great horse, waving at the crowds of people who had flocked to see him. 'This is power', he thought. As the summer progressed, however, the new king watched the effects of the heat upon his people. Men and animals became weary, and plants withered under the powerful rays of the sun. As he looked at the sky, the new king realized that the sun was more powerful than any earthly ruler. 'How I wish I were as powerful as that, he thought. I wish I were the sun.' Immediately, his wish was granted. The stonecutter relished his new role as the sun. He gloried in the power he felt as he surveyed the kingdoms below. As he sent his bright rays to earth, he watched kings and princes hid under their parasols; he watched as powerful warriors became weak under his gaze. Even the crops in the field were under his command. Then one day a tiny cloud moved over the land, shielding the earth from the sun's bright rays. Seeing that here was something more powerful, he thought, 'I want very much to be a cloud'. Again, his wish was granted. Now he blocked the sun's rays and felt important. He gathered all his strength, becoming a gigantic cloud, and began to pour down rain on the earth. Rivers formed where preciously there were none, and water flooded the streets of the cities and the farmland. Everything-trees, animals, people-seemed awed by his power. Only the massive rocks were unswayed. 'There is nothing.' he thought, 'as powerful as a rock. How I wish I were a huge stone' His wish was granted. As a stone he remained motionless and powerful, unmoved by sun, wind or rain. He felt exempt from all the forces that shaped the existence of those around him. Then one day a man approached, carrying a bag. When he stopped, he pulled out a chisel and a hammer and began to chip away at the rock. Realizing that the man with the tools was more powerful than any rock, he cried out, 'Oh, I want to be a stonecutter!' Once again the heavens heard his cry, and he became a stonecutter. Once again he lived in a bamboo hut and made his living with hammer and chisel. And he was content. Richard Nelson Bolles, author of What Color is Your Parachute? Captures this biblical concept in these words: "Contentment is the ability to stand constantly and consciously in the presence of God so that he can transform any task into something meaningful." Satisfied and content in terms of finances, career and even in terms of job circumstances! Did you know that God has the power to change your boss? You don't, but God does. And he is working on that project (hurry up!). Like a wise sculptor, he is patiently chipping away at your boss's character, his resistance and stubbornness (just like He is working on YOU!). And, guess what! You are one of God's chisels in the process. Even more alarming may be the truth that your boss is one of God's chisels in shaping you, too. The most helpful thing you can understand is that you will not change your boss - and you're not supposed to. You are called to one thing--to simply, quietly submit to your boss with all respect-not only those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. That's exactly the way the apostle Peter puts it - "Slaves (employees), submit yourselves to your masters (bosses) with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh." (1 Peter 3:18). This is exactly how God gets His will done-in your life and in your boss' life. Your malcontentedness and anger and stubbornness will simply not help at all. And that's no surprise, as another biblical principle enters the picture here - "man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." (James 1:20) If you have a simply intolerable boss (or working conditions), pray-sincerely pray and ask God to give you change. Then let it go. Do your best, and trust God. He will bring change. First, He will probably change you. The real key is to trust the Lord-He is absolutely mindful of what is going on in your life, and He has a perfectly tailored plan going on for you (and your boss and fellow-employees). I would remind you of Jeremiah 29:11, written to a desperate people who were about to give up: "For I know the plans I have for you,," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 'Think you've got a bad job? The San Francisco Zoo has an elephant named Calle who has a chronic illness that requires regular medication. The zookeepers can't get Calle to take her prescription orally, so…a California pharmacologist developed a suppository. The suppository is 10" long, bullet-shaped and crafted with cocoa butter. Administering the daily medication takes five zoo workers, including one person to distract Calle with treats while the others sneak up behind her. Another one of the workers wears what is delicately called a full-arm glove. Whenever you think you've got a nasty job, just think, there are at least 5 people out there you probably wouldn't like to trade with! By the way, there's a word in this text for the bosses. Bosses, by the way, more often than not, have the same feelings their employees have much of the time. But this word in Col 4:1 is for you, bosses - "Masters (bosses), provide your slaves (employees) with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven." Bosses need to guard against bad attitudes toward those who work for them. There is a list circulating that purports to be a genuine group of comments that were actually taken from performance reports supervisors submitted about their workers: • "Since my last report, this employee has reached rock bottom and has started to dig." "His men would follow him anywhere, but only out of morbid curiosity." • "I would not allow this employee to breed." • "This associate is really not so much of a has-been, but more of a definitely won't be." "Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap." • "When she opens her mouth, it seems that this is only to change whichever foot was previously in there." • "He would be out of his depth in a parking lot puddle." • "This young lady has delusions of adequacy." • "He sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them." • "This employee is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot." • "This employee should go far - and the sooner he starts, the better." Be fair. We have the same counsel for employers and employees as we have for husbands and wives, parents and children. Fulfill your assigned role as unto the Lord, and you will not only find peace, but you will bless and enable the other to fulfill their roles as well. Conclusion I think most people are looking for more than a job. They are looking for a calling. Guess what? That is exactly what God calls the Christian life. In Eph 4:1, the apostle Paul says, "I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." The Christian-the one who has accepted God's terms of relationship and through faith been restored to fellowship with God, and is now serving Christ as Lord. The Christian, therefore, has a new career, calling. To serve Jesus as Lord of His life. Even if you think the worldly job you have right now is too small for your spirit, this calling is certainly not. The job description is challenging, yet you have all the resources you will ever need. Your boss is fair and just and He loves you as His own child. The benefits and perks are-well, "He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus" (webmasters note: Ephesians 1:3) And the retirement plan is, as they say, out of this world. If your job is giving you fits, among other things, it might just be God's wake-up call to you. He wants you to be at peace and contented in every area of your life. The answer is to get right with Him and in right relationship with Him. It is there, in that place, that you begin to see God shaking the wrinkles out of your life. It is in a wholesome and intimate walk with the Lord that you find contentment and ultimate satisfaction. He wants you to have and intimately know His Holy Spirit whom He gives to all who trust Him. He wants to bear the fruit of His spirit in your life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Welcome to your new career! To get into this career of a dynamic relationship with God, you have to apply directly to Jesus Christ. He has paid the finder's fee and all costs related to your new career in Him. Here's the good news-anyone who comes to Him He will not cast out.   [Back to Top]