Christian At Work

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-34

Sermon preached at Gospel Light Christian Church, Singapore
by Pastor Dr Paul Choo
on 02 April 1995 9.30 am English service

Introduction: Most of us spend the majority of our waking hours at work - whether at school, office, factory, or home. Though work occupies our best hours, uses most of our energies, and captivates our highest thoughts, few Christians realise that "secular" work is a calling of God, a ministry. Therefore, few Christians are effective in their main ministry of work, though many are faithful in their secondary ministries in the church, eg. as a Sunday-school teacher. Today, we will deal with the "Why", "Where" and "How" of our ministry of work.

Why?: Unsaved men work to obtain "possessions" (eg. money) to satisfy their daily needs, and to "serve" them (eg. tools of convenience, assets for security, things that promote rest, comfort or honour). However, few of them realise that these possessions do not serve them, neither do they possess their possessions, but rather they serve their possessions and are possessed by their possessions - spending much of their mind and strength throughout most of their lives slaving for these possessions! They have the silly idea that men rule the world, when in fact men are the slaves of the world, slaving hard to get a little satisfaction and service.

On the other hand, Christians work because it is ordained of God (GEN 2:15). Man is created in the image of God (GEN 1:26) - the God that works (JOH 5:17). God created man such that he finds satisfaction in work. Another reason why God ordained work for men is because it glorifies God. Adam and Eve were asked to "dress" the Garden (GEN 2:15) because a beautiful garden would glorify God. Furthermore, sinful men are kept out of sinful pursuits by being busy with work (PSA 104:23). In other words, even when all their needs are met Christians do not stop working - there is no retirement for Christians. Because work is ordained by God, it is a call of God - a ministry.

Where?: Generally, unsaved men choose to work in places where they can best obtain "possessions".
Christians however must not choose to work or study in places that shame His name eg, which promote false gods, which hurt men through gambling or alcoholism, which have unethical business practices. Neither should they choose to work in places that will affect them spiritually, eg. where they will be tempted to sin, where they are so exhausted that they cannot satisfactorily perform their spiritual duties of attending church, bible-studies, prayer-meetings, family-altars, teaching their children.

They should also choose a place where they can best utilise their resources and talents for the glory of God. We must remember that God designed each of us individually for His glory, therefore, whatever talents, gifts and training that we have are not a chance happening in us, but specially given to us for service to God. Therefore, we need to honestly assess our gifts and training and then seek a place of work where we can best serve God. If we have the gift of talking then we must find a place where we can best use this gift, if we have a gift of prayer then we should seek work that gives us much free time to pray, if we have the gift to make money for the ministry let us find a place where we can legitimately earn much for the ministry, or if we have the gift of raising godly children then have desire many children to glorify God.

How?: Unsaved men spend much energy worrying about their work - and rightly so, because there are so many uncertainties that are beyond their control. However, as ministers of God we shouldn't have this problem because we are not ministering alone, but we are junior partners with God in His ministry (I CO 3:9). This assurance of divine, infinite assistance can only come if we know that we are in His ministry, and doing "it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men" (COL 3:23). We need not be overly concerned with planning (which is usually a futile exercise because of our ignorance of the future) but we need only concentrate on the task before us - to do it faithfully, and prayerfully that "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (PHI 4:7). We can leave much of the planning and the things that we cannot handle to our "Senior Partner" as we go about our little tasks that are assigned to us (MAT 6:34), and rest assured that He is the One who will ensure the success of our project and our life.

Conclusion: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (MAT 6:33)