Friends,

OK. . .so these thoughts aren’t so random. But I’ve been wondering, how has 30% of your week gone? You know, your hours at work? Did you thank God on Monday for the opportunity to do what you do?

As I continue to study what Scripture says about work, the amount of guidance and wisdom God provides is astounding. In preparation for this weekend, here are some texts which address various issues related to our work lives.

Genesis

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’ [1:27-28]The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. [2:15]

Psalm 139

O LORD, you hem me in–behind and before. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you’re there; if I make my bed in the depths, you’re there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

RK translation: LORD, you are, all the time, all over the place. Sometimes that’s hard for me to grasp and remember. Where can I get away from you? I can’t – not even at work. If I pilot a plane in the sky, you’re there. If I dig a foundation in the earth, you’re there. If I work the early shift or night shift, you’re with me. If I take a job on the east coast or one on the west, everywhere your presence is with me.

Proverbs

One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. [18:9]Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters. [25:13]

It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. [20:3]

The Apostle Paul

If a man will not work he shall not eat. [2 Thessalonians 3:10]Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”[1 Thessalonians 4:11].

If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. [1 Timothy 5:8]

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. [Colossians 3:23]

We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. [Ephesians 2:10]

Here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work and walking around life and place it before God as an offering. Since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other or trying to be something we aren’t. If you preach, just preach God’s message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don’t take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouragement or guidance, be careful you don’t get bossy; if you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate; if you’re called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don’t let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face. [Romans 12:1- The Message].

Encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. [Titus 2:6-10]

Jesus

In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. [Matthew 7:12]

Ray

Ray is PCC’s Senior Pastor