"Redeeming Work"

Is work a blessing or a curse?

How we view work will have a dramatic effect on the joy and fulfillment that we find in our lives.

1. You were created to work.

Genesis 2:15

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

God placed Adam in the garden to work, it was his purpose.

2. God blesses those who work hard.

Proverbs 14:23

23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.

Proverbs 12:11 ESV

11 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

Proverbs 13:4

4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

Proverbs 10:4

4 A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Proverbs 24:30–34

30 I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, 31 and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. 32 Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. 33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

3. There is joy to be found in work.

Ecclesiastes 5:18–20

18 Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. 19 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

4. Christ has set the ultimate example for us through His work.

Mark 10:43–45

43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

John 13:12–17

12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

5. The work that we do now, we do for the Lord and not for men.

Colossians 3:22–25

22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.