OUR WORK HAS GOD GIVEN PURPOSE
Ecclesiastes 3:9 What do working people gain from their hard labor?
Genesis 2:15 “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”
So the result of sin is not work. The result of sin is work is harder, it's more disappointing, it has a drudgery to it.
John 5:17 ….“My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
The reason we work is because we're made in God's image and God works, he's working all the time.
We’re going to work in heaven.
The most basic motivation for work is necessity.
Proverbs 12:11 “A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases empty fantasies has no sense.”
1 Tim. 5:8 “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.”
“Wherever you have freedom you have Free Loaders.”
2 Thes. 3:10b “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat”
If you’re alive God expects you to be making some kind of contribution with your life.
Proverbs 13:4: “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied.”
God is not opposed to prosperity. God is opposed to selfishness.
The second purpose of work is to express your Identity, to express what God made you to be.
The best work for you is the work that best expresses your talent, your gifts God has given you.
You are successful and you are satisfied. You’re fruitful and you’re fulfilled.
Your life is too important to waste.
Meaning matters more than money.
1 Peter 4:10 “Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.”
When you do what you’re wired to do it gives you self-respect – and it gives you dignity.
Galatians 6:4 “Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.”
We were made to make our lives count.
The greatest cause in the world of course is the kingdom of God.
What is my business? And, how’s business? Those are two fundamental questions you need to be asking about your life.
Third purpose: I work in order to develop my character, my maturity.
“God is far more concerned about who you are than what you do.”
Luke 16:10-12. “Whoever can be trusted with very little can be trusted with much… If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?
And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you your own?”
Psalm 105:19. “Until the time came to fulfill his word, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.”
The Bible says that when you commit your way to the Lord he directs your steps.
Matthew 25:23 “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.”
The fourth purpose of work is to Demonstrate the Reality of what you Believe.
1 Thessalonians 4:9b,10b “Take care of your own business, and do your own work… If you do, then people who are not believers will respect you.”
God expects us to use our work to validate our message.
Matthew 5:16 “…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
You are the only Bible that a lot of people are ever going to read.
Colossians 3:17 “Whatever you do or say,let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus…”
The Fifth Purpose: To be generous, I work in order to give the money away.
Ephesians 4:28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.
Andrew Carnegie: “do your giving while you’re living, then you’ll be knowing where it’s going.
The more generous you are, the more God pours his blessing on your business, on your life, on your marriage.
You cannot out give God.
Proverbs 11:25 “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
Deuteronomy 8:18 “Always remember that it is the Lord your God who gives you the ability to create wealth.”
“The antidote to poverty is not forced redistribution. The antidote to poverty is wealth creation.”
I honor God is by tithing back to Him
Acts 20:35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
The Sixth Purpose: It is the purpose of Preparing for Eternity.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:20 “Store up for yourself treasure in heaven.”
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