Working in God’s World: A Brief Review of the History, Present, and Future of Work

Why Am I Here Today? Command: “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” - 2 Thess 3:10 God has placed an extra heavy load on male heads of households! “If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” - 1Tim 5:8

What Do I Hope to Convey to You This Morning? To briefly review with you the History and Future of Work: Where, when, and how did work begin? How did work get its bad reputation? What will work be like in God’s New Heavens and New Earth?

What Do I Hope to Convey to You This Morning? I want to encourage you as you are faced, day by day, with the difficulty of dealing with work in this present evil age: Unbiblical misconceptions to avoid! Biblical Ideals to strive for!

The Origin of Work God Worked to Create the Universe in all of its splendor

God Delegated Work to Man Adam - “Cultivate and Keep” (Gen 2:15) God gave Adam creative work to do. (Gen 2:19,20) God accepted Adam’s work Work was not required to survive (Gen 2:16)

And then… the fall! The fall of man had a profound effect on work!

The Present Difficulty of Work The curse did two things: Coupled work and survival Made work difficult (physically and relationally) Genesis 3:17-19 The curse continues to the present day Is work part of the curse? Should we ever make “rest/retirement” our goal?

The Glorious Redemption and Future of Work In the New Heavens and the New Earth, we will work free of the Curse (Rev 22:3) Work and survival will again be separated! Treasures of the nations (Rev 21:26) We’ll rule over all the created order (Gen 1:28, Rev 22:5, Is 65:18) Work will always succeed! (Is 62:8, 65:21-23)

How Then Shall We Think Of and Deal With Work Now? Let’s strive to bring the Kingdom of God into our day-to-day work in this present evil age.

My Stories... Many Layoffs! Battling the curse with technology God’s gracious provision!

Work Misconceptions to Avoid Don’t get caught in these traps!

Is Sacred Work Superior to Secular Work? Mt. 10:39? A faulty and unbiblical distinction between “sacred” and “secular” - Dan 1:17 God is the gift-giver! Do all to His glory!

Should We Choose the Job that Makes the Most Money? Many ills of society are the result of this misconception - e.g. some doctors are more interested in $$$ than people... Let us rather think of Proverbs 30:8,9

Does “Work” Mean “9-5?” Not Necessarily! but... Work IS Required! (II Thess 3:10) Sluggard (Prov 6:6, 26:14) Sow-Reap Model (Ecc 11:6) Body (1 Cor 12:18-21) Diligence Providing for Our Own

Is Work Part of the Curse? No, although the curse had a lasting effect… Work is inherently GOOD Work is a gift from God Work is a command from God! So, don’t curse your work!

Going Beyond “Work Basics”…. We all know… Don’t steal, work and give! (Eph. 4:28) Don’t be man-pleasers (Eph. 6:5-9) Work is a command from God!

Work Ideals to Strive For Think Different! (The renewing of your mind - Romans 12:2)

Here are some ideals to strive for: We Are FREE to Choose! Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” Vigorously pursue whatever kind of work God has put in your heart to do! God will honor your desire to work, and will provide what He wants for you! Here are some ideals to strive for:

We Represent God’s Kingdom! The Kingdom should invade your work! Allow God’s attitudes and ideas about work take over your thinking Recognize work as a gift from God! Realize Who gives you the power to work and to get wealth! (Dt 8:18)

Remember, and be Thankful, to GOD Who Provides! “You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” - Deuteronomy 8:18

Exercise Creation Stewardship Don’t abandon science and the arts to unbelievers! (Gen. 4:20-22)

We are Stewards of Creation! We need Christians in all fields to testify that we are under the curse, that technology is not the final answer, that judgement day is coming. We need to manage well what God has given us.

Exhibit Faithfulness and Service Faithfulness even in the smallest things (Luke 16:10,11) The servant is greatest (Eph 6:5-8)

Do What God Created You For What did God design YOU for? Christ has given us gifts (Eph 4:8) They are for building up the body (4:12) but the outcome should permeate our lives and our work (4:17-6:24)

Do What You Do Well! Let us excel in our work! Proverbs 22:29 “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings.” Let us excel in our work!

Work With ENTHUSIASM! Ecc 9:10 - With your might! Psalm 19:4,5 Col 3:23,24 - As unto the Lord! Prov 8:30,31 - Wisdom rejoicing No place for false humility!

Soli Deo Gloria! Recognize and Give GOD all the Credit! Deut 8:18 - God gives us the power 1 Cor 10:31 Col 3:17 I Pet 4:11 When we express thanks to God for our skills and abilities, we are a witness to those around us.

Have A Backup Plan! Are you unhappy in your work? 1 Cor 7:21 - You are free to change! Wage slaves? Don’t know what may succeed, try many (Ecc)

Grow, Learn, Be a Mentor Allow room for learning and teaching Scriptural examples: Elijah and Elisha Eli and Samuel Jesus and Disciples Paul and Timothy “Faithful men teach” II Timothy 2:2

Give More Than You Receive! Always give your employer or your clients more than they pay for! It is more blessed to give (Acts 20:35) Go the extra mile (Matthew 5:41) “Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.” Luke 6:38

Maintain Your Life-Balance Don’t fall into the “workaholic” trap! Spend time worshipping! Exercise, play, rest! Treasure your family!

What Is the Conclusion of the Matter? You have two choices presented in Ecclesiastes chapter two. Ecc. 2:20-23 Ecc. 2:24-26

May Our LORD Bless You In Your Work!