I am preaching a short series titled Re:thinking the Christian Life, and this Sunday’s topic is “work.” I have finished the bulk of my exegesis and am now reading a lot of material on the protestant work ethic, and the “reformational” concept of vocation.
The quality of our work reflects on our Creator. If we believe that our work glorifies God, then “quality control” will be come internal. This concern with quality before God is clear in Luke 10:7 ‘The worker is worthy of his wages.,” which echoes Leviticus 19:13 and Deut 24:14-15. Work, then, is an obvious way of showing good works. C.S. Lewis tells it this way: “When our Lord provided a poor wedding party with an extra glass of wine all around, he was doing good works. But also good work; it was a wine really worth drinking.”
- from Alan Maben’s article, God Glorified in our Calling
Modern Reformation, vol. 2 num. 5
10 Comments
I think this is an area that a lot of Southern Baptists miss out on. We all need to ask ourselves how our work furthers God’s kingdom. We need to make sure that our talents are used to God’s glory. Can we say that our work at a video store, movie theater, etc. furthers God’s kingdom? If it really doesn’t, then we need to reconsider what we are doing.
I think there are a lot of folks at seminaries that are there because they want to do something meaningful, but their theological tradition hasn’t showed them how satisfying it is to make your living helping others or taking care of God’s creation.
Howie, I think we even need to be careful in how we express this. “Furthering the kingdom” implies, for many, the notion of explicit evangelism, or the fruit of conversion. Such is not necessary to make our work honoring to God.
Does one’s work at the video store further the Kingdom? I think the better question is, is our work (wherever) done for the glory of Jesus, to the best of our ability, as an offering from a consecrated life as a priest of God? To the point; what makes our work honoring or dishonoring to God is not the job, but the manner in which we do it. Though, of course, some work would be considered immoral - I’m assuming the work under consideration here is good itself.
It has always been my thought, that as Christians in the work environment, we could easily have more of an outreach than say a pastor who might not have such a vehicle to interact with ‘the world’. I know that I’m not exactly that ‘quality worker’.
I listened to your first sermon on this series the other day. I just noticed they got the next two up, so I’m off to go have a listen.
About a year ago at work 3 of my staff (none of whom are Christians), in a span of 2 weeks, each came to me separately describing a specific area of “brokenness” in their lives - 2 were experiencing separation or divorce, 1 was experiencing a very serious illness. By the time the 3rd employee came to me, it became clear that one of God’s purposes for me at work wasn’t just about “work” but also about how I could touch these people’s lives. In each case I did tell them I would pray for them…and I have, even as they told me their issues.
I don’t know what’s in store next, but I know to be patient and watch for God to open another door some time.
Chad, right on man. Many of us in pastoral ministry either lose connection with the outside world, or have to work hard at maintaining it.
Andy, that’s awesome man. What most Christians fail to see though is that filing paperwork or designing a website for a local coffee house can glorify God as much as a missionary’s work in India. One doesn’t have to sanctify their vocation with evangelism for it to glorify God or be satisfying. At the same time though, we should earnestly desire the conversion of those around us, and take every opportunity to serve them with the gospel in word and deed.
Joe,
Maybe I need to be more explicit about what I mean by “furthering the Kingdom.” I know I’m in the minority here, but I see furthering the Kingdom not as “winning converts” but as described in Mt 25:31-46. A “place” where God’s grace and care for all happen.Those who Matthew describe as inheriting the Kingdom, have done so because they have already been practicing it. Thus, those who follow Christ exhibit love for God and neighbor. I believe that this love needs to be demonstrated in every aspect of one’s life. Yes even your job.
If your job is not primarily focussed on making the world a better place for God’s children or God’s creation, I think it’s not advancing the Kingdom. I don’t say this to condemn anyone, it’s just how I interpret following Christ.
I used to own a business that while most Christians wouldn’t see as creating harm, did not demonstrate God’s care for the least. I changed, my vocation as a result. My biggest regret is that my theological tradition did not provide me with that insight sooner.
Sorry for being vague.
That’s helpful Howie, and thanks for commenting. I would agree that “love needs to be demonstrated in every aspect of one’s life. Yes even your job.” But your comment still begs the question - what constitutes a benefit to God’s creation (God’s children would be limited to those adopted by God - converts)? Does entertainment and recreation, do restaurants, gas stations, mini-marts? How about this, does the man who works a job by delivering inner office memos “advance the kingdom?” I would say that working in such contexts righteously does (at least indirectly).
I may put up my sermon on this to more accurately explain where I am coming from than I can in a comment touching on one aspect of the big idea.
One more proof text and I’m done. A verse that became very important to me when I was transitioning to a new vocation was Matthew 20:20-28. I began to ask myself if I was truly serving God’s children. Sunday School teacher…check. Youth Worker…check. But most of my time was spent at my business. I just wanted to find a vocation where I could serve Christ by serving others full-time.
Joe,
I think we need to see all that we do as giving glory to Christ, regardless of whether or not anyone gets saved as a result of what our job is.
If you are a manager in a grocery store and Jesus comes back, guess what your calling was? Being a manager in a grocery store! So be happy in the vocation God has you in(at the moment).
I used to think that being a pastor or missionary was a “higher calling” than schlepping papers across a desk. But even moving papers across the desk, if done as unto the Lord, is still a good work. I do not think that any job is more “spiritual” than another. I do think that we as belivers have to get away from the concept that God is interested in the notches in our belt…
Papias - right on. That is the Biblical concept of vocation.