God Is A Worker

The first place where we meet God as a Bible, is not as a Deliverer, Healer, or Savior but as a Creator at work. God is a worker.

“On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.”

Genesis 2:2 (NLT)

God’s work did not give Him a paycheck but it gave Him satisfaction. He looked at His work and saw that it was good. God didn’t work to get paid but to get satisfaction; He found joy, honor and pride in His work.

“But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.”

John 5:17

This is what Jesus spoke about His Heavenly Father. 90% of Jesus’ work on earth was manual labor. It was something that even the Greco-Roman culture of the time would have said is below human dignity. Jesus brought dignity back to work.

God Created Man To Work With Him In The World

There are four types of work:

• Work against God. When you do something to oppose God.
• Work without God. You might work hard but don’t see God’s grace.
• Work for God. This is about good intentions.
• Work with God. This is where God created us to be.

Job is for a paycheck. Work is for a purpose. Work was created by God for purpose. Adam did not need a paycheck; he needed purpose. Even when you don’t need a job, you still need work. If you stop working, you forfeit your purpose (Psalm 115:16 NLT).

“We are coworkers belonging to God. You are God’s field, God’s building.”

1 Corinthians 3:9 (NET)

Every work is significant even if it doesn’t change the world. I have many different organs in my body and just because most of them are not visible, it doesn’t mean that any of them are not valuable.

That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me. Colossians 1:29 (NLT)

When Sin Entered The World, It Entered The Workspace

• Genesis 3 – Work of home (pain); work of ground (struggle). 
• Genesis 4 – Killing happens in the workplace. 
• Genesis 31 – Jacob summarizes 20 years of work as harsh and unfair. 
• Genesis 39 – Sexual harassment in the workplace. 

The workplace we have today is not how God intended it to be. It is broken by sin, just like the world is. Even if you get a job at a church, the people there are broken, just like they are in the world.

We Are Saved, Not By Good Works, But For Good Works

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)

This is how God chooses to save the situation. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to redeem us through His finished work on the cross. We are not saved by good works but for the good works God planned for us to do. We are saved by grace but there is a purpose. You have to bring the gospel into your workplace. If you don’t bring the gospel into your workplace, you’ll miss God’s work in you. 

Your workplace doesn't just need your skills; it needs the gospel. Click To Tweet

Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.

Titus 2:9-10 (NLT)

Apostle Paul recognized the unjust institution of slavery and the broken world that Christians find themselves in. As Christians, when we cannot change the whole system, we can influence the system by being salt in whatever position we find ourselves in. That is the gospel. A broken world needs the gospel, not an opinion. We think we can change the world with our opinion. We can only change the world with the gospel.

If you work as if God is your boss, you’ll receive not just a paycheck but also a reward. Things don’t have to go viral to be vital. The reward of God is the inheritance of the saints. Your job may always give you less than you deserve, but the reward of the Lord is always more than you deserve. See your job as a resource because God is your source.

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.

Colossians 3:23-24 (NLT)

All Legitimate Work Is An Act Of Worship 

“I believe faith in the old-fashioned gospel of Christ makes better mechanics, better accountants, better salesmen, and better executives… I shovel [money] out, and God shovels it back but God has a bigger shovel!”

Robert G. LeTourneau

When you retire from your job, don’t retire from your work. Caleb was working in his 80’s (Joshua 14:10-12). Levites served from 25-50, after 50 they retired from regular service but not from work, (Numbers 8:26). Rustproof your retirement (Psalm 92:14-15). Simeon and Anna served the Lord in their old age.

This is the theology of work:

• Turn your job into work for God. 
• Work with God but also allow God to work in you at your work.
• God gives us special skills to build His kingdom; we should use them accordingly (Exodus 31:2).
• Working is how we wait for the return of Christ. 
• This world is not coming to an end; this age is. 
• Giving sacrificially is also a good work (Mark 14:6).

Change your attitude and God will increase your altitude in life. Click To Tweet

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