HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 360
page A358
Work continued
rewards for faithful work: (1) a more credible witness to nonbelievers and (2) having our
needs met without having to always depend on others. There is immense dignity in all
honest human labor, for our work is an opportunity to serve God and others.
How should I view work?
• G E NE S I S 1 :2 7 -2 8 | So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God
he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be
fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in
the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
There is value and honor in work. God created people and gave them dominion over
his creation. In other words, God created you for work. Even before the curse, humanity
was given the opportunity to transform the raw materials of earth into things that would
enhance life. Work has always been meant to honor the Lord, to give people the dignity
of having something important to do, and to bring blessings to others.
• 1 T H E S S A L O NI A NS 4 :11-1 2 | Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own
business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who
are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.
Your attitude toward work should include the goal of honoring God by the way you work as
well as supporting yourself and others.
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• PR O V E R B S 1 3 :1 1 | Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from
hard work grows over time.
Honest, hard work is much better than get-rich-quick schemes.
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• E C C L E S I A S T E S 5 :1 9 | To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift
from God.
• G A L AT I A NS 6 :9 | So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will
reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. (See note on page 1063.)
• C O L O S S I A NS 3 :1 7 | And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Your goal is to work in such a way that you are a good representative of Jesus.
What are the benefits of faithful work?
• 1 K I NG S 1 1 :2 8 | Jeroboam was a very capable young man, and when Solomon saw how
industrious he was, he put him in charge of the labor force from the tribes of Ephraim and
Manasseh.
• PR O V E R B S 2 2 :2 9 | Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather
than working for ordinary people.
Faithful work often brings opportunities to do more satisfying work.
• PR O V E R B S 1 0 :4 | Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.
• PR O V E R B S 1 2 :1 1 | A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies
has no sense.
Hard work usually yields enough success to meet your needs; often it yields much more.
What kind of work should I do?
• A C T S 2 0 :3 4 -3 5 | “You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own
needs and even the needs of those who were with me. And I have been a constant example
of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the
Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
• E PH E S I A NS 4 :2 8 | Use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others
in need.
Choose work that will enable you to provide for your own and your family’s needs and to
give generously to God and others.