1Pt 2:18 Work as Worship: Biblical View of Work  

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1Pt 2:17  Honor all people…18  Servants, be submissive to your masters 

with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 

19  For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God 

        one  endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 

20  For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it  

             patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, 

      -->this is commendable before God.

Eph 6:5-95  Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters 

    acc to the flesh,  with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 

6  not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, 

     doing the will of God from the heart, *

7  with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 

-->8  knowing  that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9  And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, -->knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Col 3:22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.

23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men;

24 -->knowing from the Lord you'll receive reward of inheritance. 

  It is Christ whom you serve

Play = effort expended voluntarily, in expectation of an inconsequential reward.

Work = effort expended (usually under compulsion) in expectation of a reward of significant/vital consequence.

Work is worship (and witness) if done with the right motives and attitudes.

Ordained by God for our benefit (as are all God's commands Ex 20:9) 

Rewarding and rewarded  (2x) if done Biblically

Konsists of serving another's needs (helping them reach their objectives).

1. Do I obey my boss' explicit instructions and implicit desires to the degree that delights him?  (cx corporate objectives?)
2. Are my motives pure in working?  (serve Christ or self?)
3. Do I work as hard when he's gone as when he's hovering over my desk?  
4. Am I perceived as a servant of Christ? 
5. Do I please men so they'll like me or Christ so He'll reward me? 
6. -->Do I embrace my work as the will of God? *
7. Am I wholehearted and wholesouled in my service?  
8. Do I exude an attractive attitude of cheerful good will, even in the midst of difficulties?
9. Do I view my work as loving service?  
10. Am I conscious of earning Christ's reward as I toil?

I. WRONG Reasons for working

l - To meet my needs, earn a living, keep body and soul together (Mt 6:11.25-33)

2 - To make a lot of money by working hard (I Tim 6:6-10; Haggai 1:6-7)

3 - To satisfy my desires for power, pleasure, & possessions (1Jn 2:16-17)

4 - To make as much money as I can without going to jail (Mk 4:19)

5 - To develop my sense of worth, significance or ego (Mt 6:26; Jer 9:23-24)

6 - Help the economy by obtaining means to be a good consumer (Dt 28:38-42)

7 - To find security, significance, self-worth, pleasure outside of God (Gen 3:6)

8 - To use the talents God has given  (I Pt 4:10)

9 - To gain a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. (Ecc 2:24-26)

10 - Produce something of intrinsic, lasting value (Ec 2:11; 2Pt 3:10-11; Jn 6:27)

*2Cor 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may have an abundance for every good work.

II. RIGHT Reasons for Working

1 + It is commanded {created with capacity for work - Gen 1:26-28; 2:15...became difficult after the Fall}.

2 + It is the channel through which God provides for our needs (2Thess 3:6-15)

3 + It enables us to give generously (Eph 4:28; 2Cor 9:11)

4 + It develops our character and skills for God (1Sam 16:21f)

5 + It establishes our testimony with unbelievers (I Thess 4:11-12)

6 + It provides opportunity to be polished and refined (Js 1:2-4)

7 + Provides opportunity for reward by God (I Pt 2:18-20)

III. Work Can Be A Worshipful Witness……if done Biblically

1. When in balance (Ps 127:2; Pr 31)
2. When gossip-free (Eph 4:29)
3. When free of selfish ambition (Js 3:13-18)
4. When done in wisdom (Eph 5:15-16)
5. When done in love (Mt 7:12)
6. When done with good works (Mt 5:16)
7. When done as a light (Phil 2:15)
8. When done with excellence (Ecc 9:l0: Pr 22:29)

IV. Work Can Be ENJOYED…

…Only if We PLEASE GOD Ecc 2:24-26

1. Obediently with sincerity of heart (Col 3:22)
2. With Integrity (1Pt 2:12)
3. Submissively (unjust/unreasonable 1Pt 2:13-20)
4. With Humility (Pr 22:4; 27 2)
5. Selflessly (Phil 2:3-5)`
6. Contentedly (Phil 2:12-15; 4:ll)
7. Joyfully/Worry-free (Phil 4:4-6)
8. Diligently (Pr 18:9)

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. What are the advs to an employer of a Christian employee? Any disads?  Would you hire yourself?

2. What common difficulties of your job could be eliminated if you applied the Scriptural principles of work? What should change?

3. What are the most valuable assets you have to offer an employer/client?

4. Does your job match your design and  objectives? If not, why not change?

5. If Jesus were your direct boss, would your performance change? Should it?

6. Are you working for an eternal paycheck or just a temporal one?

7. Which of the TOYL Top Ten Time Wasters and Savers could you apply this week?