1. WHY WORK?

2. Genesis 3:17-18
17 Then to Adam He said, "Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it': "Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. 18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. 19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return."

3. Why do we work?
Many are in a viscous cycle – work to eat and eat to work.
Genesis 3:17-18 is often called the Judeo- Christian Work Ethic
Are you ever discouraged at work? Ready to quit? Why do we get up and go to work?

4. Some work to get more THINGS
Wrong Reasons
Some work to get more THINGS
John 6:27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him."
We work for things that won't last,wear out, become useless before we get them paid for

5. Some work to get more THINGS
Wrong Reasons
Some work to get more THINGS
2 Peter 3: But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?

6. Some think their work is useless
Wrong Reasons
Some think their work is useless
Galatians 4:11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

7. To keep up with the neighbors
Wrong Reasons
To keep up with the neighbors
Matthew 6:5 "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
Many buy what they don't need or want trying to impress people they don't even like.

8. Right Reasons Part of the Plan of God
Genesis 3: Then to Adam He said, "Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it': "Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. 18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. 19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return."

9. Right Reasons Part of the Plan of God
God expects us to work, earn our way
God condemns those who will not work
2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
We must not be lazy, freeloaders
The world does NOT owe us food and shelter
Of course some need our compassion

10. Able to help others in need
Right Reasons
Able to help others in need
Ephesians 4:28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need
Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Victims of earthquake, tornado, floods
The blind, diseases the hinder work

11. Right Reasons Because we trust God
Not – in order to get from God – It is not a debt that God owes us
Not – to earn heaven, salvation, eternal life
1 Timothy 4:10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

12. Right Reasons Because we trust God
Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
1 Thessalonians 1:3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,

13. I Want To Be A Worker I want to be a worker for the Lord
I want to love and trust His holy Word.
I want to sing and pray
And be busy every day
In the vineyard of the Lord.