True Riches notes #2
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Work
Work
Over a lifetime, the average person spends 100,000 hours working. Often this work carries some dissatisfaction with it. Understanding scriptural principles that relate to work will help you find satisfaction in your work. It will also place you in a position where the Lord can prosper you.
1. God created work for our benefit.
1. God created work for our benefit.
The first thing God did with Adam was to assign him work. “The Lord God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15).
15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
Genesis 2:15 NIV15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
The Lord created work for our benefit in the sinless environment of the Garden of Eden. After the Fall, when sin entered the world, work was made more difficult. “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food” (Genesis 3:17-19).
2. God’s perspective of work
2. God’s perspective of work
A. Work is necessary.
A. Work is necessary.
Work is so important that in Exodus 34:21 God gives this command: “Six days you shall labor.” The Apostle Paul wrote, “If a man will not work, he shall not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
2 Thessalonians 3:10 NIV10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
B. Work develops character.
B. Work develops character.
One of the primary purposes of work is to develop character. While the carpenter is building a house, the house is also building the carpenter.His skill, diligence, manual dexterity, and judgment are refined. A job is not just a task designed to earn money; it’s also intended to produce godly character in the life of the worker. “Diligent hands [a good worker] will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor” Proverbs 12:24.
24 Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in forced labor.
Proverbs 12:24 NIV24 Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
24 Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in forced labor.
C. We work for Christ.
C. We work for Christ.
Scripture reveals that we are actually serving the Lord as we work. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men...It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24).
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23–24 NIV23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Consider your attitude toward work. If you could see Jesus Christ as your boss, would you try to be more faithful in your job? The most important question you need to answer every day as you begin your work is this: “For whom do I work?” You work for Christ.
3. God’s work responsibilities
3. God’s work responsibilities
A. God gives us our job skills.
A. God gives us our job skills.
“And every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work...” (Exodus 36:1).
1 So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded.”
Exodus 36:1 NIV1 So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded.”
1 So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded.”
Because God has given each person unique skills and talents, Scripture does not elevate any honest occupation above another. A wide variety of jobs are represented in the Bible. David was a shepherd and a king. Luke was a doctor. Lydia was a retailer who sold purple fabric. Daniel was a government worker. Paul was a tentmaker. And finally, the Lord Jesus was a carpenter.
B. God gives us our success.
B. God gives us our success.
Joseph is an example of God helping a person to succeed. “The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered...his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did...” (Genesis 39:2-3).
2 The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did,
Genesis 39:2–3 NIV2 The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did,
2 The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did,
We have job responsibilities, but we need to recognize that it is ultimately God who gives us success.
C. God controls promotion and advancement.
C. God controls promotion and advancement.
“No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt [promote] a man. But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts [promotes] another” (Psalm 75:6-7).
6 No one from the east or the west
or from the desert can exalt themselves.
7 It is God who judges:
He brings one down, he exalts another.
Psalm 75:6–7 NIV6 No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves. 7 It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.
6 No one from the east or the west
or from the desert can exalt themselves.
7 It is God who judges:
He brings one down, he exalts another.
As much as it may surprise you, people do not control whether you will be promoted. The Lord controls your success and promotions.
4. Our work responsibilities
4. Our work responsibilities
A. We are to work hard.
A. We are to work hard.
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 NIV10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
“The precious possession of a man is diligence” (Proverbs 12:27 NASB).
27 The lazy do not roast any game,
but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
Proverbs 12:27 NIV27 The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
27 The lazy do not roast any game,
but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
Scripture, while condemning laziness, encourages diligence and hard work. “One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys” (Proverbs 18:9).
9 One who is slack in his work
is brother to one who destroys.
Proverbs 18:9 NIV9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
9 One who is slack in his work
is brother to one who destroys.
Paul’s life was an example of hard work. “We worked night and day laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you...in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow” (2 Thessalonians 3:8-9).
8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.
B. We are not to overwork.
B. We are not to overwork.
Hard work, however, should be balanced by the other priorities of life. If your job demands so much of your time and energy that you neglect your relationship with Christ or your loved ones, then you are working too hard. Exodus 34:21 reads, “Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest.”
21 “Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest.
Rest can become an issue of faith. Is the Lord able to make our six days of work more productive than seven days? Yes! The Lord instituted weekly rest for our physical, mental, and spiritual health.
C. We are to be honest.
C. We are to be honest.
“Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another” (Leviticus 19:11).
11 “ ‘Do not steal.
“ ‘Do not lie.
“ ‘Do not deceive one another.
D. We are to honor our employers.
D. We are to honor our employers.
Godly people always honor their superiors. 1 Peter 2:18 reads, “Slaves, [employees] submit yourselves to your masters [employers] with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.”
18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.
E. We are to honor fellow employees and never slander them.
E. We are to honor fellow employees and never slander them.
“Do not slander a servant [employee] to his master [employer], or he will curse you” (Proverbs 30:10).
10 “Do not slander a servant to their master,
or they will curse you, and you will pay for it.
IV. Summary
IV. Summary
Jesus spoke so much about money and possessions because He knew much of our lives would be involved with them. God owns everything and He has entrusted some of His possessions to each of us to manage. He wants us to be wise and faithful stewards by applying the financial principles in His Word. He has given us the activity of work to provide for our needs and to develop our character. We should work hard and try to be excellent because we are really working for Christ.
Next Week
Next Week
Seeking Counsel | Spending | DebtGod encourages us to seek counsel before making important financial decisions.We seek counsel to get insights, suggestions and alternatives that will aid in making the best decision.The Bible provides several practical principles to help us spend money wisely. It also discourages the use of debt. The reason the Lord wants us free from debt is because “The borrower is servant to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7), and the Lord wants us free to serve Him.