1 Leviticus 19 Verses 9-10, 13, 23-25, 35-36

2 Holiness begins with the Right Knowledge of God and doing the Right Actions in worshipping and relating with Him (Chapters 1 to 10) Holiness is being Pro-life and Anti-sin, and it calls us to make clean our lives – both internal and external (Chapters 11 to 15, 17) Holiness is given to us by God, as a result of His grace and sacrificial love (Chapter 16)  Most Important ! Holiness requires us to consecrate (set apart) every aspects of our lives to God – including our sexuality, our relationships with others (whether intimate or casual) and Our WORK (Chapters 18 & 19)

3 Unskilled Manual Laborer (while studying basic English night-class)

4 Unskilled Manual Laborer (while studying basic English night-class)  Basic English Language Teacher (while studying Intermediate/Advanced English classes)

5 Unskilled Manual Laborer  Basic English Language Teacher  Khmer Language teacher

6 Unskilled Manual Laborer  Basic English Teacher  Khmer Language teacher  Orphanage Manager

7 Unskilled Manual Laborer  Basic English Teacher  Khmer Language teacher  Orphanage Manager  Commercial Farmer

8 In establishing his commercial farm, Chantha had to struggle with God on ethical issues, since corruption permeates the society, as well as depended on God for much blessings. In short, he is being transformed by God as he works.

9 Work is a platform for Obedience (unto God) Work is a platform for Transformation (of ourselves) Work is a platform for Ministry (to others)

10 1. God commands work for all people (and this happened since Genesis 2 – before the fall of man) Genesis 2:15 “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Leviticus 19:9a “When you reap the harvest of your land …”

11 1. God commands work for all people (and this happened since Genesis 2 – before the fall of man) Genesis 2:15 “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Leviticus 19:9a “When you reap the harvest of your land …” 2. Whatever work (that is not sin) that you work unto the Lord, giving your best and doing it excellently, then God has promised He will reward us for it – whether now or in eternity (Col 3:23-24)

Catholic Distortion St Augustine made a distinction between the “active” and “contemplative” life.

Catholic Distortion Distortion : The belief that only spiritual work (such as preaching, praying, helping someone heal, etc) is holy and pleasing to God. Elevating the spiritual, but devaluing vocational work in the eyes of God.

Catholic Distortion Protestant Distortion

Catholic Distortion Protestant Distortion Distortion : The belief that all work are equally called of God, that is, as long as you are working, you are fulfilling God’s purposes and calling on your life. Elevating the secular at the expense of the spiritual.

16 The truth is that we should seek the Lord earnestly for the type of career we should enter upon – because He has blessed us with spiritual gifts, passion (heart), abilities, personality, experiences. And if God does call you to the full-time Christian ministry, respond to Him as well.

 All who raised their hands on 21 st April.  All who sense God’s calling but did not raise their hands.  All who would like to find out more about full-time ministry. Please write to me … Called to Full-time Christian Ministry

18 Work is redemptive, but we must also redeem our work. We can worship God with our work, but we must not worship our work.

19 Work is a platform for Obedience (unto God) Work is a platform for Transformation (of ourselves) Work is a platform for Ministry (to others)

20 Work is a platform for Transformation (of ourselves) 1. The trials of tough times 2. The tests against temptations

21 Leviticus 19:13b “Do not hold back the wages of a hired man overnight.”

v 9-10 – Temptation to insist that you alone have the right to all your wages/fruits of your labor, because you have worked hard for it. v 13b – Temptation to abuse our authority or position of influence. v – Temptation to go for short-cuts, quick returns, and instant success, and above all, not to thank God for blessing you in your work. V – Temptation to resort to underhand (sinful) methods in order to attain success in my work/career.

v 9-10 – Temptation to insist that you alone have the right to all your wages/fruits of your labor, because you have worked hard for it. v 13b – Temptation to abuse our authority or position of influence. v – Temptation to go for short-cuts, quick returns, and instant success, and above all, not to thank God for blessing you in your work. V – Temptation to resort to underhand (sinful) methods in order to attain success in my work/career.

v – Temptation to go for short-cuts, quick returns, and instant success, and above all, not to thank God for blessing you in your work. “When you enter the land and plant any kind of fruit tree, regard its fruit as forbidden. For three years you are to consider it forbidden; it must not be eaten. In the fourth year all its fruit will be holy, and offering of praise to the Lord. But in the fifth year you may eat its fruit. In this way your harvest will be increased. I am the Lord your God.”

v 9-10 – Temptation to insist that you alone have the right to all your wages/fruits of your labor, because you have worked hard for it. v 13b – Temptation to abuse our authority or position of influence. v – Temptation to go for short-cuts, quick returns, and instant success, and above all, not to thank God for blessing you in your work. V – Temptation to resort to underhand (sinful) methods in order to attain success in my work/career.

Work is a platform for Obedience (unto God) Work is a platform for Transformation (of ourselves) Work is a platform for Ministry (to others) 1. Share the Gospel 2. Show the Love of God to others (by care and concern) 3. Supervised (Guided) by God’s will in work ethics, treatment of people and in making business/work decisions 3. Supervised (Guided) by God’s will in work ethics, treatment of people and in making business/work decisions.

27 Work is a platform for Obedience (unto God) Work is a platform for Transformation (of ourselves) Work is a platform for Ministry (to others)

Work is a platform for Obedience (unto God) Work is a platform for Transformation (of ourselves) Work is a platform for Ministry (to others) Work is redemptive, but we must also redeem our work. We can worship God with our work, but we must not worship our work.

Leviticus 19:b, 35 13b “Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight.” 35 “Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity.”