Read this if you want to understand how working is a key part of our Christian life

1. Q - Why should we work?

A - Two reasons:

A. God tells us to work - so that we're like Him

Exodus 20:9 ~ Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work.

John 5:17 ~ But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto (= has always worked and is still working), and I work.

--> God’s a worker. 

(Genesis chapter 1 explains how God worked a six-day week.)

--> So we should view work POSITIVELY - not negatively!

B. Working supplies us with the money we need - for housing, food etc.

Proverbs 28:19 ~ He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread …

--> God promises to meet all our needs.  (Philippians 4:19)

• But we shouldn’t expect money to just fall down from heaven.

• God makes it clear that we should work to earn our living.

  (Which for some folks means working in / for the church.)

Further reading

Proverbs 12:11 & 14, 13:11, 14:23, 16:26

Acts 18:1-3

2 Timothy 2:6

2. What happens if we don't work (when we could)?

Proverbs 24:30-34

30I went by the field of the slothful (= lazy), and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding (= lacking sense);

31And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

32Then I saw, and considered it well (= I reflected upon it): I looked upon it, and received instruction (= I learnt a lesson from what I saw).

33Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

34So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want (= your scarcity) as an armed man.

• Not all poverty is caused by laziness.

• But laziness can lead to poverty.

Further reading

Proverbs 10:4-5, 13:4, 14:23,  20:13

3. Paul said that when we work - we help three groups of people

A. We provide for ourselves

2 Thessalonians 3

Verses 8-9

8Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought (= without paying for it); but wrought with labour and travail (= painful work) night and day,

that we might not be chargeable to any of you (= we would not be a burden to you):

9Not because we have not power (= a right), but to make ourselves an ensample (= a pattern) unto you to follow us.

• Paul paid his own way, and told others to do the same, so that he wasn’t a burden to other believers.

• Working and therefore having an independent income also meant that Paul could preach the undiluted truth - not concerned that people might be offended by what he taught, and thus withdraw their financial support.

Verses 10-12

10For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

11For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

12Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

--> Paul warned that if we don’t work to support ourselves, we can end up being a busybody / using our time badly.

Further reading

Acts 20:34

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

B. We support our family

1 Timothy 5:8 ~ But if any provide not for his own (= his relatives), and specially for those of his own house (= immediate family),

he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel (= an unbeliever).

--> It’s our duty to provide for our family.

--> This usually means working - so that then we're paid an income.

C. We can help others

Acts 20:35 ~ I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak,

and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

--> We can only give money to help others, if we first have money ourselves.

--> If we earn money - we can then use this to help those who can’t work.

Further reading

Acts 20:34

Ephesians 4:28

4. Most of the key characters in the Bible were not in 'full-time ministry' - they also had other jobs

Three examples:

A. DANIEL was the most senior Civil Servant in the land

Daniel 6:1-4

1It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;

2And over these (= he set over them) three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage (= suffer no loss).

3Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. 

4Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom;

but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

--> God used Daniel greatly.

--> But he wasn’t in ‘full-time ministry’.

B. JOSEPH (in the Old Testament) had a varied career:

• Started employment as a Farmer - working for his father Jacob.  (Genesis 37:2)

• Was then Chief Housekeeper - working for Potiphar.  (Genesis 39:1-4)

• Later he was a Logistics Manager - organising food warehousing & distribution for Pharaoh.  (Genesis 41:38-49 & 54-56)

C. THE SHEPHERDS

• God announced the birth of Jesus to a group of shepherds in their workplace.  (Luke 2:8-18)

• Today - that would be like announcing the most important news in the world to folks working in a: factory / shop / office etc.

--> So God LIKES people to work!

We only need to be in ‘full-time’ ministry, if our service for God takes up so much time - that it’s impossible to have another job.

Further reading

'Your calling' message on WholeCounselofGod.com

5. God can help us in our work

Like Jesus helped Simon Peter in Luke 5:4-9

4Now when He (= Jesus) had left speaking, He said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught (= a catch).

5And Simon answering said unto Him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at Thy word I will let down the net.

6And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 

7And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

8When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

9For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught (= catch) of the fishes which they had taken.

--> God KNOWS EVERYTHING: so it’s EASY for Him to help us in our work.

Three examples from my work:

a. God gave me wisdom about what to write in reports.

b. He sent me the right people I needed, to help with my work - at just the right time.

c. I was even asked to fly to a business meeting at the opposite end of the country - near to a Christian meeting where (unknown to anyone in the company) I needed to be that evening!

--> So God is ACTIVE in our workplaces!

6. What attitudes should we have in our work?

A. Thank God for our job

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ~ In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

• It’s easy to take our work for granted.

• But lots of other people would like our job!

B. Don't make excuses

Proverbs 20:4 ~ The sluggard will not plow by reason of (= because of) the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

• We can always find excuses not to work, but --> shortages later on.

• Working supplies our needs.

Here's some good advice:

'Never complain, and always do the right thing - even when you don't feel like it.'

Further reading

Proverbs 19:15, 22:13, 26:13-14

Ecclesiastes 11:4

C. Work willingly

Proverbs 21:25 ~ The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. 

--> Work isn’t something to be avoided:

• Instead - we should be enthusiastic & do our best.

• Think of the parable of the talents.  (Matthew 25:14-30)

Colossians 3:23 ~ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men (= with all your heart, as if working for the Lord: not for people).

Think how we feel after we’ve:

• Worked hard & done our best --> tired, but satisfied.

• Not worked hard & not done our best --> dissatisfied.

Further reading

Proverbs 12:24 & 27, 18:9, 22:29, 27:23, 31:27

Ezekiel 16:49

Ephesians 6:5-7

D. But nor should we become a workaholic - life is more than work!

Psalm 104:23 ~ Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.

--> We shouldn't work excessively - it's much better to ‘switch off’ at a set time:

• We shouldn't work such long hours that we have no time for: Bible study, prayer, family, church, relaxation etc.

• We should Keep Sunday Special (or another day, if we need to work on a Sunday).

• God rested after working for six days, and so should we.  (Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 20:8-11)

Further reading

Proverbs 23:4-5

7. The boss

A. What attitude should we have to our boss?

1 Timothy 6

Verse 1

1Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and His doctrine be not blasphemed.

--> We should respect our bosses.

--> Otherwise they won’t think much of Christians!

Further reading

Colossians 3:22

Titus 2:9-10

Verse 2

 2And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren;

but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. 

--> If our boss is also a believer - we shouldn't take advantage of this.

--> That would be unfair to our manager, and also to our work colleagues.

B. What if we have a bad boss?

1 Peter 2:18 ~ Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear;

not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward (= perverse / twisted).

--> That’s not easy, but we should respect the position they hold - even if we can’t respect the person.

C. What if we're the boss?

Colossians 4:1 ~ Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

--> We should treat our staff fairly.

--> The same way that God treats us.

Further reading

Ephesians 6:9

8. What type of work should we do?

We should do what we’re good at - God created us with those particular skills / strengths.

If we work at what God’s created us to do - then we’ll be more successful & fulfilled.

Further reading

‘Your calling’ message on WholeCounselofGod.com

Q - How do we know what our strengths are?

A - In three ways:

#1 What do we enjoy?

Deuteronomy 12:7 & 18

7ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto 

…

18thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto.

For example:

• If we like listening & talking to people - we could try working in a Call Centre or on a Reception Desk.

• If we enjoy making & mending things - there are plenty of trades to work in.

#2  We perform well.

We know this ourselves, when it happens.

#3  Other people say - ‘You’re good at that.’

What sort of company / organisation should we work for?

Philippians 4:22 ~ All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.

--> Some of the Philippian church worked for Caesar - who worshipped false Roman 'gods'!

So although it may be lovely to work for an organisation whose values we agree with (or to be self-employed) - this may not be:

• Possible.

• God’s plan - He may want us in a ‘bad organisation', to bring His Kingdom there, and to change it for the better!

Further reading

1 Kings 18:3-4

Luke 8:3

9. Our workplace is our mission field

A. Reaching everyone

Isaiah 11:9 ~ They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain: for the Earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

• This won’t happen if we keep Christianity inside church buildings.

• The glory of the Lord should fill the whole Earth.

• That includes the workplace.

Further reading

Numbers 14:21

Psalm 72:19

Habakkuk 2:14

Mark 16:15

B. Jesus preached His first sermon in the workplace

Luke 5:1-3

1And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon Him to hear the word of God, He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret (= the Sea of Galilee),

2And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

3And He entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed (= asked) him that he would thrust out a little from the land.

And He sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

Further reading

Mark 4:1-2

C. When we go to work - do we leave God outside our factory gate / office door?

Matthew 28:20 ~ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

--> Jesus is WITH US in our workplace!

• He put us there to extend His Kingdom.

• So our workplace is also our Mission Field.

D. Evangelism

Who do we KNOW BEST / who will TRUST US the most?

1. The unknown person in their home - whose door we knock on with a Christian leaflet?

2. The stranger in the town centre - when we’re doing open-air evangelism?

3. Our colleague at the next desk / machine?

Answer = 3.

• So we should make sure our colleagues KNOW that we’re a believer in Jesus.

• For some of them - we may be their only connection with the vital truths of Christianity.

Further reading

‘Evangelism’ message on WholeCounselofGod.com

10. Christian Fellowships in the workplace

The rest of this message describes the main lessons I learnt, while leading the Christian Fellowship in a large, well-known UK company for over 20 years.

A. Christian fellowship at work is important

Meeting with other believers in our workplace is as important as going to church on Sundays.

We’re still part of Jesus’ worldwide church - but compared to Sunday church, we meet:

• On a different day.

• In a different place.

• With different people.

We often have more in common with believers in our workplace Christian Fellowship, than with folks in our Sunday church - because we’re in similar situations & under the same pressures.

B. Main reason for meeting with other Christians at work

For fellowship and to encourage each other.

Bible studies & prayer are important and give a focus - but the most important benefit is just meeting together.

C. How to start a Christian Fellowship in our workplace

1. Pray!

2. Ask permission from the Human Resources / Personnel department - they’ll probably agree, because it supports your organisation’s diversity policy. 

(You can point this out to them if needed!)

3. Advertise - on noticeboards / electronic media etc.

4. Ask the Human Resources / Personnel department to tell new staff about the Christian Fellowship, during the joining process.

D. Suggested format for a meeting lasting 40 minutes

15 mins chat over coffee / sandwiches.

20 mins discussing a Bible passage.

(Everyone invited to read / contribute - rather than one person's viewpoint.)

 5 mins prayer.

E. When & where to meet

When:

• Same day, same time (just like Sunday church) - helps with diary bookings.

• Lunchtime or before-work.

• Not after-work: because most people just want to go home, after many hours of toil!

Where:

• An office meeting room or the canteen.

• If there’s nowhere suitable on your organisation’s premises - meet in a nearby coffee bar, or ask a local church if you can meet there.

F. Worth trying

Ask people what they’re passionate about - then give them opportunities to develop in that area e.g. Chairing small-group discussions, Praise Leader, Prayer Co-ordinator etc.

Alpha course (Alpha in the Workplace).

Christmas & Easter celebrations - with tasty snacks!

Occasional lunches at a nearby cafe / restaurant.

Praise (if the noise won't disturb others working nearby) - concentrate on well-known songs, which most people will know.

Rota of volunteers to choose / write / send a 'Word for the Week' email on Monday mornings - good Biblical start to the week!

Visiting speakers - to widen our knowledge of aspects of Christianity we're not familiar with.

(But be cautious about hosting external speakers whose main aim is fund-raising.)

G. What tends not to work

Meetings lasting too long for people to attend.

Inviting an Evangelist for an outreach meeting aimed at unsaved colleagues (difficult to attract unbelievers to such a meeting).

H. Build & maintain unity between members of the Christian Fellowship

Focus on:

• Jesus.

• Core-beliefs which we have in common.

• Members of the Christian Fellowship.

Avoid: (or tread very carefully when discussing!)

• Our Sunday church / other ministries - leave these ‘outside the door’.

• Topics which have historically divided denominations / churches.

I. Number of believers in the Christian Fellowship

Surveys show that 1 in 70 of the UK workforce are born-again Christians - although not all of these will want to join the Christian Fellowship because:

• May not want their colleagues to know that they’re a Christian. 

(Sad but true.)

• Workload may not allow it.

• Don’t want to meet believers from other churches / backgrounds. 

(Also sad but true!)

The Christian Fellowship may not have large numbers - but think of Gideon.  (Judges 7:2-7)

• If there aren’t enough believers in your own organisation to start a Fellowship - try meeting with Christians from other nearby workplaces.

• Put an advert in your Sunday church newsletter / noticeboard & those of churches near your workplace, and use social media.

J. Check the websites for these (UK) organisations / resources to see how they can help

• Transform Work UK

• Alpha (Alpha in the Workplace)

• ‘Thank God it’s Monday’ by Mark Greene

• Sector-specific fellowships such as the: Association of Christian Teachers  / Financial Advisers etc.

K. Set the right priorities

Our work often goes much better after being at a Christian Fellowship meeting - because God always blesses us when we put Him first!

Matthew 6:33 ~ But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

11. Conclusion

A. God wants us to work.

B. Our workplace is our Mission Field.

C. We should meet with other believers in our workplace.

Amen