THE RICHNESS OF OUR THE RICHNESS OF OUR FAITHFAITH

The Theology of WorkThe Theology of Work Ephesians 6:5-9

The Premise for the teaching:

(1) Those who are so driven that work is their “god” consuming all their time and energy.

(2) Those who are downright lazy; self serving and expect others to serve their needs. (no drive, no ambition)

(3) THIS TEXT IS WRITTEN FOR THOSE WHO have never considered a spiritual approach to work.

Regarding Slavery in the N.T. time period

(1) This was not an endorsement or dismissal of the slave/master issue.

(2) There is not a treatise on how to abolish slavery.

(3) The Bible does not endorse slavery

(4) Paul was addressing; this is your current circumstance; how do you live out

your faith as a slave; if you are a Master?

Ephesians 6:5-9 5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;

6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-10

10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

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

12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.

The Biblical Principles of work?

I. The Employee’s 7 Principles of Work:

1.1. Respect the Authority of your leadership: Respect the Authority of your leadership:

2.2. Revere the Creator of work: Revere the Creator of work:

3.3. Resolve to Serve: (Christ and Company) Resolve to Serve: (Christ and Company)

4.4. Respond with diligence when no one is Respond with diligence when no one is watching: watching:

5.5. Realize my work is serving Christ: Realize my work is serving Christ:

6.6. Recognize my heart is where His will is being done: Recognize my heart is where His will is being done:

7. Reputation in work has eternity written all over 7. Reputation in work has eternity written all over it:it:

The Biblical Principles of work?

II.The Employers Purposes for Workers: (Col 4:1; James 5:4)

1.1. Render the same respect to them that you desire Render the same respect to them that you desire from them: from them:

2. Retrain from threatening: 2. Retrain from threatening:

3. Respect the Mastery of Christ over your life; you are 3. Respect the Mastery of Christ over your life; you are His His servant. (Ultimately His Servant) servant. (Ultimately His Servant)

4. Reflect Christ in all your business dealings: Eph 6:8 4. Reflect Christ in all your business dealings: Eph 6:8

The Biblical Principles of work?

In Conclusion:

= Work is God’s purpose for humanity. = Work is God’s purpose for humanity.

= Work is after God’s own character; we have = Work is after God’s own character; we have a a hard working God. hard working God.

= There are proper and improper work = There are proper and improper work purposes. purposes.

= Mis-directed work ambitions lead to the sins = Mis-directed work ambitions lead to the sins of of greed; laziness; lovers of money. greed; laziness; lovers of money.