- Attitudes to Work -
A Hougroup Bible Study prepared and led by Angus Cook on 28th June 2000.
Introduction
I wrote this study following a teaching we had about the area of work,
and borrows from some of what was said during that talk. It also
contains a few of my own thoughts and ideas that were not taught that
Sunday in order to make it more personal and suitable for housegroup use.
It is my belief that work is a blessing: however, the rush hour is not!
Purpose:
To take a look at the different types of activity that could
count as "work" and what our attitude should be to it.
To identify what kinds of work are edifying to each of us and what kinds
of work are not edifying for us to be involved in.
What does the Bible say about work?
This is a massive area, far too big to
be covered in a single study! Also it would be too easy to leave out very
important areas. Hence this study is designed to be thought-provoking and
not a definitive description of what God says about the whole area of work.
Basically, I have identified these basic areas:
- Religious work. This covers service to others of God's people, and
evangelism. Examples are Luke 10:34 (Good Samaritan), 1 Cor 16:13-18
(general exhortation), Php. 4:2-4 (helping the women who have laboured with
Paul). Many more examples could be given here of course.
- Spiritual work. Basically this means prayer and worship, the action of
worshipping the Lord as a direct vertical act between the individual
and Him. Exodus 23:25 (blessing promised for worship), Deut. 10:12
(direct command to fear and worship the Lord), Eph. 6:7 (our attitude
towards "worldly" work).
- Good works. I would describe a "good work" as a practical
action performed with altruistic motives (i.e. of no benefit to the person
doing the good work). Matt 5:16 (let you light so shine before men that
they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven),
1 Tim 6:17-19 (instruction to the rich to do good). Given that "it
is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35) these works,
while blessing those on the receiving end, actually bless the giver even
more! However, me must recognise that there are times when we must be on
the receiving end - Jesus said it was "more" blessed to give
than receive, not "only" blessed to give!! If we don't receive,
what do we have to give anyway?
- Paid Employment. Jesus tells us that a worker is worthy of his keep
(Luke 10:7). This verse actually refers to the 70 being sent out to
witness to Christ, but there is a principle here. If we are not paid to
do the work we do, how are we expected to accommodate, feed, sustain
ourselves? Maybe there are times it is right to ask our employers about
getting a pay rise, or about our working conditions?
All these forms of work are good, and commanded by God. We do well to
identify what areas of service we should be involved in, and go for it with
all our hearts! There will be overlap between the categories above, they
are not hard and fast. Full-time paid Christian workers, for example,
will find themselves being paid for religious work, good works, and
spiritual service. All of us could find ourselves doing a "good
work" which is also a "religious" work or even a "
spiritual" work, etc....
How should we go about our work?
- Recognise that our gifts and abilities are a gift from God and that
He expects us to use them according to our ability. Exodus 35:30-36:1
(the artisans being called by God), Matt. 25:14-30 (Parable of the talents.
A talent was a unit of money, but we can conveniently think of God-given
gifts and skills), Mark 14:8 (Woman anointing Jesus with perfume).
- Willing - We know that God loves a cheerful giver - extends to
work-giving as well as financial giving. It describes our attitude to God
and His people.
- Done in co-operation with God. 1 Cor 3:9 (we are God's fellow-workers,
so it's not the same as a boss-employee relationship), 2 Cor 6:1 (we are
workers together with God, passing reference).
- Carried to Completion - Jesus didn't finish his work until he cried,
"It is finished" so neither should we!! We had a saying at
one of my old places of work, "If a job's worth doing it's worth
doing half a job!" I suggest we do NOT take this attitude!
Finished = "Tetelestai," a Greek word meaning "Paid in
Full" what you might get stamped across a paid invoice meaning
"No More To Pay." OK, I've changed the subject a bit, but
it's a good parallel.
- Rest if you must, but don't you quit! God commands a Sabbath rest,
He rested on the seventh day from all His creating and so should we!
We need to get a right balance between work, rest, and play (A Mars a
day perhaps???!!?)
Points for Action in small groups:
If you're reading this from the website, perhaps you might want to think
and pray about the issues raised here or get together with a couple of
friends and do this together.
As for the housegroup, we broke up into small groups. Each person was to
identify areas of work that they are involved in.
Do you have a paid job? If so, is it full or part
time? Is it fulfilling and satisfying? What about areas of service in
the church? Too many commitments? Too few? Personal worship and prayer
times, not just in church, are they good and uplifting or is this an area
to which we need to devote more time? What about rest - is the only time
we rest is when we are sleeping, or do we make time for recreation and
doing our own thing, and having fun?
Discuss these areas, or those areas which affect you the most. Identify
in which areas you are particularly strong, and areas of weakness.
Thank God for the responsibilities He has given you (yes, work
is a blessing!) and enquire of Him what, if anything, needs to be given
up so we can major on what He has called us to.
Do you have enough free time, and if not, ask God to free some time up
for you to relax.
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