Your Job is Important to God

(Partial Notes from a radio broadcast in Sept. 2021 – Pastor Robert Jeffress)

Is having a job as important to you as it is for God?  We were made for work and God loves when we appreciate this aspect of our lives.

Considerations:

· Our work should not “be” our God

o The secular view of work determines how much time we spend and at work, and our work defines who we are in the world.  The Bible warns against making work our “god” in Ecclesiastes 2:17-18:  “So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me.  All of it is meaningless; a chasing after the wind.  I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me.”

· Work is our calling and can be our platform

o Work is not a curse; it is God’s plan for us.  We were created to work and be an extension of God’s work.  Adam and Eve were God’s partners and He gave them work to do in the garden.  So work is not a curse or a judgment from God – He wanted us to have an important role in the world.

o In Genesis 1:26-28, God made us in His image, to rule over the living creatures of the earth.  He blessed humans in number and commanded that all people of the earth will fill the earth, rule over it, and subdue it (i.e. work).

o In Genesis 2:8, the Lord puts plants in the Garden of Eden and instructs Adam to maintain it.  God is interested in man learning to produce food to eat (as one example of the expectations).  He works through us to accomplish food and supplies production through farmers, stores, and everything in between--essentially the supply chain process.

o In Philippians 2:13, God gives us a will to “act in order to fulfill His good purpose.”

· Reasons to Work

o God wants us to discover our desires and pursue them in our work.  He works in our hearts to make this happen.  He wants us to see the needs of the world and find something to do that we feel passionate about and something that will utilize our strengths.  We are exhilarated when we are doing work that we love and work that we never tire of doing.  Others usually affirm us and that is how we know we were born to do the work we like to do.  Affirmations from various sources confirm that we are spending our time for worthy causes and utilizing the gifts God gave us.  The end result is that our hearts become settled, which brings us peace through our work.

· God establishes governing authorities in all that we do, including bosses at work

o In thinking about justice and righteousness in the world, Romans 13:1 sheds light on God’s word.  He established governing authorities and everyone is subject to these authorities, who are ministers of God against evil-doers.  A system of justice establishes righteousness for the benefit of humanity.  This justice aspect helps us to perform our jobs to the best of our ability.  It also includes helping the less fortunate through our work (charities, philanthropic company missions, etc.).

· When Given a Choice, Choose Employment over Unemployment

o Be sure to differentiate between your career and your hobby.  You are passionate about both, but utilize God’s word, prayer, and your desires when choosing a job so that you can move safely ahead, knowing your life’s work will be something you like and want to do.  And make it something that will help you further God’s Kingdom on earth.

· Choosing the “Right” Job:  one that you can love!

o Narrow your career ideas down to the following:

§ 1/ Determine what you believe your passions to be so that you can pursue a career in those areas.

§ 2/ Determine your single greatest gift from God (your best strength).

§ 3/ Consider the practical aspects of a job (structure, the ability to pay your bills, savings goals, etc.)

§ 4/ Determine God’s purpose for your gifts.  Where will they be of most value to you and to the world?

§ 5/ Choose the kind of work you know you can be enthusiastic about!

· Having a job that you love is truly a gift from God!

o 1 Timothy 5:18 tells us that God gives us the resources we need to provide for our own needs and those of our family.

o Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”