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The Christian and Work

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Ecclesiastes 2:17-26

Which job is best?
sacred … or secular

What does God have to say about work?
A God who works. Gen 1, Psalm 104:10-22, Ps 145 14-16
He made us to work – Gen 2:15, “took man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it
Some implications
–    not a necessary “evil”
–    unemployment destroys people

Why is work hard?

a)    Fulfilment from work
Use work to bring fulfilment … rather than God
Ecc 2:10
Temporary fulfilment –
Ecc 2:24,”a man can do nothing better than eat, drink and find satisfaction in his work
Ecc 5:18, “Then I realised that it is good and proper for a man to eat and to drink and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labour under the sun during the few days of life god has given him – for this is his lot”.
But ultimately, Ecc 2:11, “meaningless chasing after the wind” (see also Ecc 2:17ff)
Qu: Do you look to your work to bring you fulfilment?

b)    Reputation from work
Use work to establish reputations.
Ecc 2:9 – “greater than anyone else in Jerusalem before him“.

c)    Consumption from work.
Use work to consume
Ecc 2:10 – “denied himself no pleasure or anything his eyes desired“.
1 Kings 11:3 – 700 wives and 300 concubines.
1 Kings 11:3-13, “his wives led him astray“.
Qu: Do you work to consume?

Work and the gospel
–    God made you for work
–    But work is not our primary purpose.
So what work should we do?
1 Thess 4:11-12 – “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
… not be dependant

Eph 4:28 – 28 “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
… work to give to others.

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.
… work to provide for our family.

1 Cor 10:31-33 – “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God-  even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
…work for his glory

Questions for future series?