“Christians in the Workplace”
Nov.2/08 Eccles.2:17-24, 5:18-20 Play
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Workday Despair or Delight?
● does work have significance - especially on tough
days?
● distinguish ‘calling/vocation’ from regular
employment; ‘work’ beyond ‘job’
Destructive Distortions about Work
● everyday work looked down upon in Greek
world, medieval church
● capitalism / Marxism seek fulfilment through work
apart from God’s calling, with negative consequences
God’s Word on Work
● Genesis: humans made in the image of a God who works
1) work must be connected to God (Jn 6:29; Col 3:23;
1Cor 15:58)
2) work is commanded (Ex 20:9; Jn 9:4; Eph 4:16;
1Thess 4:11f)
3) work is exemplified by Jesus (Jn 4:34; 5:17,37;
17:4)
4) work is honourable, sloth is shameful /
destructive (Prov 22:29; 31:17; Mt 10:10; 1Tim 5:18; 1Thess 5:12f; 1Pet
1:17; 1Cor 3:8; Php 2:16; Rev 9:20; Prov 18:9, 21:25; 2Thess 3:10)
5) work allows us to be generous (Deut 24;29; Ac
20:35; 2Cor 9:8; Eph 4:28)
6) work makes us productive and independent - yet
pointless if disconnected or idolised (Prov 12:14, 14:23; Col 1:10;
Eccles 2;20f, 4:4; Hab 2:13; Hag 2:17; Lk 10:40; Jn 6:27; Mt 6:28; Rev
9:20)
7) work can be enjoyed/satisfying in relation to God
(Eccles 3:22, 5:19, 8:15)
Principles in Practice: The Interviews
1) Christian values / motivations in choosing this
work: connection; serving others
2) top 2-3 character values: honesty; patience;
fairness; loyalty to firm
3) frustrations: rudeness, dissatisfaction,
price-shoppers, laziness
4) opportunities to witness: signs/articles give
permission; in course of conversation - personal troubles; company
practices - Sunday closing, prayer at meals
5) what Christians can do to help: be supportive;
small group relaxing, friendly; understand core values and follow them
When Work becomes Worship
● maid’s housework or streetsweeper’s sweeping a
service to God