The Christian and Work: A Theology of Creation Forest Hills Bible Chapel 27 January 2008

A Couple of Common Misunderstandings  Misunderstanding #1: “Work was made necessary because of the Fall of humanity – the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.”  Scripture says, “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

A Couple of Common Misunderstandings  Misunderstanding #2: “There is a strong distinction between sacred and secular.”  Scripture says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Co 10:31

Our Goals in This Series To understand the nature of God’s marvelous creation – ourselves, and everything around us. To understand the nature of God’s marvelous creation – ourselves, and everything around us. To see our work as God’s calling – something for which He has enabled us. To see our work as God’s calling – something for which He has enabled us. To see our work, and indeed all of our lives, as done to honor and glorify God. To see our work, and indeed all of our lives, as done to honor and glorify God.

Distinctives of God’s Creation God created the world out of nothing; He did it at His own choice, and He had no “competition.” God created the world out of nothing; He did it at His own choice, and He had no “competition.” God’s creation is distinct from Himself, and is inherently good – God is God, and the world is His good world. God’s creation is distinct from Himself, and is inherently good – God is God, and the world is His good world. God desires to have a loving relationship of fellowship with His creatures – including humans. God desires to have a loving relationship of fellowship with His creatures – including humans. Humans are made in God’s image, and they reflect all that He is and does. Humans are made in God’s image, and they reflect all that He is and does.

Scriptural Reasons for Work To work is to be Godlike, as we are made in the image of God, who is the Creator of all things – Genesis 1:1, To work is to be Godlike, as we are made in the image of God, who is the Creator of all things – Genesis 1:1, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth….Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth….Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Scriptural Reasons for Work A major issue in our society today is the need to create a work ethic, and not just a sense of entitlement. A major issue in our society today is the need to create a work ethic, and not just a sense of entitlement. “The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public’s money.” – Alexis de Tocqueville. “The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public’s money.” – Alexis de Tocqueville. While we bask in the glory of the work of others, God calls us to build on the work that others have done. While we bask in the glory of the work of others, God calls us to build on the work that others have done.

Scriptural Reasons for Work To work biblically is to be balanced. God expects that we will be neither lazy, nor a workaholic. To work biblically is to be balanced. God expects that we will be neither lazy, nor a workaholic. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done – Genesis 2: By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done – Genesis 2:2-3.

Scriptural Reasons for Work 6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 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. 6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 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.

Scriptural Reasons for Work 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” 11 We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat - 2 Thess 3: We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” 11 We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat - 2 Thess 3:6-12

Scriptural Reasons for Work To work biblically is to find a sense of fulfillment. To work biblically is to find a sense of fulfillment. Simply put, God created us to work, and if we do not work, we are not fulfilled. Simply put, God created us to work, and if we do not work, we are not fulfilled. 24 A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? – Ecclesiastes 2: A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? – Ecclesiastes 2:24-25.

Some Final Thoughts Work is good – it accomplishes much, and makes life better for all concerned. Work is good – it accomplishes much, and makes life better for all concerned. Work is difficult – it takes a discipline that does not come naturally to the fallen human heart. Work is difficult – it takes a discipline that does not come naturally to the fallen human heart. Work provides for ourselves and others. Work provides for ourselves and others. Work disciplines us. Work disciplines us. Work requires moral discernment. Work requires moral discernment. God rewards us with joy for work done, when we in turn honor God in our work. God rewards us with joy for work done, when we in turn honor God in our work.

In the Weeks to Come…. What about my “9 to 5” job (or whatever hours you work)? What about my “9 to 5” job (or whatever hours you work)? What is the relationship between my “9 to 5” job, and my calling as a follower of Christ? What is the relationship between my “9 to 5” job, and my calling as a follower of Christ? What if I hate my job? What if I hate my job? How can I make a connection between my “Sunday life” and my “Monday through Saturday life” in a way that pleases God? How can I make a connection between my “Sunday life” and my “Monday through Saturday life” in a way that pleases God? What if I’m retired, or simply can’t work? What if I’m retired, or simply can’t work?