A Christian’s Work Ethic A Christian’s responsibility to work. Church of Christ at Medina July 26 th, 2015

God’s Plan for Man In the beginning – “When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground—then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature…The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”(Genesis 2:5-7, 15, ESV)

God’s Plan for Man Under the Law of Moses – “Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed.” (Exodus 23:12 ESV)

God’s Plan for Man Under the Law of Christ – “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” (Ephesians 4:28, ESV)

God’s Plan for Man In heaven… – “Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.” (Revelation 7:13-15, ESV)

Reasons for Christians to work… 1.To Glorify God – Ephesians 6:5-9 – Colossians 3:22-25 – 1 Thessalonians 4: For Provisions – Proverbs 23:23-27 – 1 Timothy 5:8 3.To Help Others – Ephesians 4:28

Hindrances to Christian Work… 1.Laziness – “I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.” (Proverbs 24:30-34, ESV)

Hindrances to Christian Work… 2.Procrastination – “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who bring shame.” (Proverbs 10:4-5, ESV)

Hindrances to Christian Work… 3.Gambling – Gambling is “playing games of chance for money or some other stake; taking risks in order to gain advantage.” (Webster) – Gambling is risking “what is yours to get what belongs to someone else with no service rendered and no merchandise exchanged.” – The amount that is risked is not important…the principle is the same.

Hindrances to Christian Work… 3.Gambling – Why do people gamble? – Covetousness and Greed “And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15, ESV) “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5, ESV) “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:9-10, ESV)

Hindrances to Christian Work… 3.Gambling – Gambling then is wrong because it promotes covetousness, goes against the principle of work and is against stewardship. “He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’” (Luke 16:1-2, ESV) “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2, ESV)