CHRISTIANS IN THE WORK PLACE

WORK!!! - 1 - Genesis - before the fall (Gen 2:2, 1 :27, 2:15) - Man working as a Gardener. Creative, natural, & saw fruit of his labor (meaningful.) Genesis - After the fall (Gen 3:17-19, 2 Thes 3:10) Work is hard. 2 - Ecclesiastes - working in vain (Ecc 2:4-10, 2:11, 9:11, 2:17) 3 - Work Redeemed - Eph 2:10. - Our purpose. Deut 8:7-10. - Considered a blessing. 4 - Our new boss - (1 Cor 10:31, Eph 6:5-9, Col 3:22-24, Luke 19:15-19) 1 Cor 10:31 - To God's glory. Eph 6:5-9 - Work as unto God. Col 3:17 - As God's representative, thankfully. (Then read vs 15&16). Col 3:23-24 - Wholeheartedly, unto God, not men. Luke 19:11-19 - Christ illustrates "work as an investment" in his parable of the latents.

The Principle of DILIGENCE
Proverbs 13:4, 24:27, 22:13, 20:4, 6:6-11, 27:23-27
Diligence - Active, focused, goal-oriented, persistent concerning "work".
vs.
Laziness - Passive, pleasure-governed, evasive concerning "work".
Prov 13:4 - The diligent and the lazy both have strong desires, but only one is blessed.
Prov 24:27 - Know what you're doing before you stake your claim.
Prov 22:13 - The lazy worry too much. The righteous are confident.
Prov 20:4 - The lazy want perfect conditions. The diligent press on.
Prov 6:6-11 - Prescription for the lazy.
Prov 27: 23-27 Know where you stand financially, because things change. Plus encouragement that things will work out according to God's plan for the diligent.
Q - How do you "teach" or "coach" diligence?
By pampering? Demeaning? Enabling? Nagging? Or by:
Encouragement, trust (to take responsibility with consequences), "You've got what it takes!"

The Principle of COMPETENCE
Proverbs 10:4, 30:18, 31:31
Competence - Being thoughtful, evaluating, thorough, effective, successful
vs.
Sloppy - A slacker, quitter, ineffective.
Prov 10:4 - Consequences of both.
Prov 31: 18& 31 - Just payback and good reputation.
Competence comes from Training, on top of the other positives mentioned in "diligence". It's re-enforced by seing the fruit of your labor. "You can make it happen." People find their way around this world by pursuing things they're GOOD at.


The Principle of GENEROSITY
Proverbs 3:27,28, 28:27, 11:24, 3:9-10
Generous - A fruit of the spirit: giving of self to care for another.
vs.
Stinginess - Hoarding for self-protection
Prov 3:27, 28 - Give to people and organizations that are worthy, when you are able.
Prov 28:27 - Care for the needy (discerningly.)
Prov 11:24 - Consequences of generosity vs. stinginess.
Prov 3:9-10 - First-fruits to God. (See also: principle #7)
How do you best develop this trait? What discourages it?

The Principle of PRUDENCE
Proverbs 27:12, 27:13, 11:15, 6:1-5, 13:11, 28:19-20, 22
Prudent - Wise, discerning, cautious, patient.
vs.
Simple-minded - Gullible, impulsive, emotional.
Prov 27:12 - The consequences of the Simple vs. the Prudent.
Prov 27:13 - Get a down-payment when selling. Protect your assets.
Prov 11:15 - Don't enter a contract without checking out the person.
Prov 6:1-5 - Don't get into the middle, indescriminently co-signing things.
Prov 13:11 - Easy money doesn't last.
Prov 28: 19-20, 22 - Forget "get rich quick" schemes.
Should you automatically trust all Christians?
Does God provide for His children through gambling? Is it a mathematically reasonable investment?
When your feelings tell you it's right, it must be God urging you, correct?


The Principle of INTEGRITY
Proverbs 16:11, 28:8, 15:27, 27:18, 22:1
Honesty and Loyalty
Vs.
Situation Ethics and Treachery
Prov 16:11 - God invented justice and the ways to measure it.
Prov 28:8 - Ripping people off won't pay in the long run.
Prov 15:27 - Concerning bribes.
Prov 27:18 - Loyalty will bear fruit.
Prov 22:1 - Your reputation is of more value than money.
People have to spend money. Who are they trying to give it to? Honest people or dishonest?
Do thieves and cheaters fear God or trust God? So how much of His help will they get?

The Principle of MOTIVE
Proverbs 21:17, 3:13, 30:7-9
What do you want money for?
Prov 21:17 - Pleasure-lovers won't be prosperous.
Prov 3:13 - Wisdom brings the best prosperity.
Prov 30: 7-9 - The prayer of the wise concerning money.
So what do you want money for? To provide needs for yourself and family? To indulge yourself in pleasure? To impress others? To bring about positive change in the world?

The Principle of SUBMISSION
Proverbs 8:17-21, 3:5-6, 16:3, 8:15-16, 12:24
Is your "Work Life" and your "Church Life" separate?
Prov 8:17-21 - God is the source of all lasting blessing.
Prov 3:5-6 - Trust God's principles over your own.
Prov 16:3 - Commit your work to Him and your plan will work out. (ie Work unto Him)
Prov 8:15-16 and 12:24 - God decides who gets to be boss, usually based on diligence!
Who has promised to provide for you?

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