DAY 12: GOD AND YOUR JOB

  1. God's Plan for Your Life - Genesis 3:19; Ecclesiastes 3:13, 22; 2 Thessalonians 3:10
    1. It is God's will for us to work hard in order to earn the bread we eat.
    2. God wants us to find satisfaction in our work.
    3. If a person will not work, he cannot eat.
  2. Responsibility of the Employee - Colossians 3:22-25; Ephesians 4:28; Acts 5:29
    1. Obedience: We are to be a disciple to our boss on the job. God expects us to obey our boss not just to win his favor, but out of reverence for Christ.
    2. Wholeheartedness: God expects us to put our whole heart into our work. As Christians, we should be the most sincere and hard-working employees on the job.
    3. Do not steal from your employer (e.g. receiving pay for work you did not do, taking supplies, submitting false or exaggerated expense reports).
    4. Obey God first. If asked to do something that is illegal, unethical, or sinful - obey God over men.

QUESTIONS

  1. What do I need to repent of in relation to my job? Be specific.
  2. Am I doing anything as a part of my job that is sinful or goes against my conscience?

Gen 3:19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."

Eccl 3:13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God.

Eccl 3:22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?

2 Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."

Col 3:22-25 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. {23} Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, {24} since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. {25} Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

Eph 4:28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Acts 5:29 Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!