A Sure Pathway To Living An Overcoming Christian Life.
BIBLE PASSAGES – Genesis 1:1-8; Genesis 2:15; Genesis 2:19-20
Introduction
Work is not from man but from the Lord and of the Lord. It is a creation of God and not an invention of man.
It is the purpose and the will of God for man. Work and labour are not the same. Work is the realm of creation, it is creative. Work is Spiritual. It is part of the nature of God that the Lord God put into Man.
It is part of the creation story. It is not the consequence of the fall. Work is to tend and keep the garden. Your work must have a purpose beyond income. Am I working the way the Lord designed it, man is like God?
You may need a complete and revolutionary view, understanding, perspective and approach to work. God’s way and understanding of work is what we need now. We need not be slaves of work. Work is a tool, a design and an creation of God for our good and way to fulfilling purpose. Genesis 1:9-13; Genesis 1:26-31.
Work As God’s First Creation Technically – Genesis 1:1-2; Genesis 1:14-25
All of the first six days was work. The Lord introduced work. In His creation and introduction of work, we see reason and purpose
for work. Work is for another, and person, provision solution and pleasure for another. We also see the most important reason and reward for work – partake in creation, purpose for another and joy, pleasure and fulfilment for the worker- a sense of being. This is most important before money.
Love it. Enjoy it. Relish in it. Have peace, pleasure, fulfillment and contentment in it and then monetary reward. Work is one of the blessings the Lord pronounced on man at creation when we properly examine and extra the blessings of God on man.
The Nature of Work
It is an honour, It is a blessing, It is a priviledge. Man is not complete without work. Man is not fulfilled without work. Man cannot achieve purpose without work. There are poems in Yoruba language about work, its purpose, beliefs, values and reason. So also in many or almost all cultures and society. Work is exalted.
Right and Wrong Understanding of the Concept, Nature and Purpose of Work
Wrong Concepts of Works: Genesis 6:14-16; Exodus 31:2-6; Exodus 36:2
Do you see God in your work? Or do you just use God in your work? Is your work more than work or a ministry unto God and His kingdom?
Wrong understanding kills. Wrong understanding make you work for the wrong reasons and purpose. Wrong understanding stifles creativity. Wrong understanding does not give ground for innovation. Wrong understanding makes you barren of ideas. Wrong understanding drains your energy.
Wrong understanding kills motivation. Wrong understanding makes you seek motivation in
the wrong places and things. Wrong understanding makes you see yourself as a grasshopper
instead of a giant
Then you can imagine the converse side from all these?
Every day of creation the Lord gives a verdict that makes Him continue the next day.
When you understand work so many other things will begin to fall into place Remember is it spirit calling other spirit – as the deep callers unto the deep Creativity, innovations, Great ideas – heard ideas rule the world, Dream, please dream. Do not accept mediocrity nor the average. Aim beyond the stars and you will land on the stars.
Right Concepts of Work
The Ten Spies had a wrong understanding of work. – Numbers 13:33
The two sons of Eli had a wrong concept of work. – 1 Samuel 1:12
One of the three servants in Matthew 25: had a wrong concept of Work. – Matthew 25:25-30
The Seven Deacons had a correct understanding of work. – in Acts 6:1-8
King Saul had a wrong concept of work:- 1 Samuel 15:1-3; 1 Samuel 15:16-19
The world over centuries have created for us other meanings, definitions, purpose and descriptions of work. It is not different from labour and labourers no matter the fanciful names they give your role. Work is just an exchange of your knowledge, skills and time for money and other rewards.
Intention of The Lord About Work
This is not the intention of the Lord. Work is life and living. It is becoming a co- creator with the
Lord. For example:
1. Adam and Eve had a work and a job, look at the description – keep the garden, he named the animals, we do not know along that took – Genesis 2:15
2. Noah and his family had a fantastic understanding of work and what the Lord intends to do with our work – Genesis 6:13-22
3. Abraham was called to become a father of many nations. Building of altars, gathering of servants, becoming a band and moving about is work – in God for a purpose. Genesis 12:1-
4. Isaac was asked to work on a land of famine. Isaac got a vision for his really purpose of work after Jacob was labouring in work for his uncle with nothing to show for it. Genesis 26:1-5; Genesis 26:12-16
5. David banished to keeping the sheep – which is work – that he turned into something else that led him to his destiny of becoming king handed over to his children – that is work. 1 Samuel 16:11-13
6. The Lord changed the labouring of Apostle Peter to real working for the kingdom. Luke 5:2- 11 and Acts 5:12-16
7. You ought to remember Bezaleel and Aholiab in the construction of the tabernacle – Exodus 36:1
What do you say of Moses- labouring for his father in law before taking up the role of become a prophet and deliverer of Israel and turning them into a nation under God, that is work. Exodus 3:1-10
Conclusion
You need a complete and revolutionary view, understanding, perspective and approach to work.
What a great understanding and pursuit of work Noah and his entire family had – they were inventors under God – something new. What a great understanding of work Bezaleel and Aholiab had – they were inventors under God- something new.
What a great understanding of work did David have when he confronted Goliath – he was an inventor under God – something new. What a great understanding of work did Philip the Evangelist had under God – – he was an inventor- fulfilled John 14:12- greater works than this – took a whole city for God, led the way of Africa for the gospel
