Back to Work

Titus 1:10-14, Luke 16:1-13

 

 

Labor Day marks the official end of the vacation season, with traffic reports of congested roadways, meetings, assignments and deadlines awaiting workers.  The unspoken question is rarely considered – Why do you work?  To survive, put food on the table and a roof over your head, to build a retirement nest egg, or to be productive and not waste your life?  As Christians, everything we do is to bring glory to God.  God created work as a divine activity of participation.  Without that theological basis, work is a mere activity.  When coupled with theology, work is a ministry.  Work reveals character, affections and worthiness.

 

1. Bad Character Negatively Affects All Environments.

People who are unmotivated, lazy, untrustworthy and unreliable can infect the whole office if their sloth is not challenged.  Christians are not to be enablers of that fallen nature.  Our Lord had an impeccable work ethic, and we are to emulate Him.

 

2. Poor Work Habits Can Have A Corrupting Influence.

Those with poor work habits corrupt not only the office, but also corrupt the home, subverting and overturning the faith of entire households they touch.  They bring false teachings and exploitive schemes into those homes and communities.

 

3. Labor And Reward Is Both Temporal And Eternal.

Our God ordained hierarchy, and established the supervisors in our workplace, and we must respect the office if not the person.  Work reveals character and worthiness, and the results are reflected in this world.  But regular church attendance is necessary to keep your perspective right.  The results are also reflected in eternal rewards when they build God’s Kingdom.