Comments on: Work as Good Works http://www.joethorn.net/2008/01/24/work-as-good-works/ Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:00:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Joe Thorn http://www.joethorn.net/2008/01/24/work-as-good-works/#comment-24084 Joe Thorn Fri, 25 Jan 2008 18:11:55 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2008/01/24/work-as-good-works/#comment-24084 Papias - right on. That is the Biblical concept of vocation. Papias - right on. That is the Biblical concept of vocation.

]]> By: Papias http://www.joethorn.net/2008/01/24/work-as-good-works/#comment-24083 Papias Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:19:24 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2008/01/24/work-as-good-works/#comment-24083 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... 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…

]]> By: Howie Luvzus http://www.joethorn.net/2008/01/24/work-as-good-works/#comment-24082 Howie Luvzus Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:12:28 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2008/01/24/work-as-good-works/#comment-24082 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. 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.

]]> By: Joe Thorn http://www.joethorn.net/2008/01/24/work-as-good-works/#comment-24081 Joe Thorn Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:09:39 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2008/01/24/work-as-good-works/#comment-24081 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. 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.

]]> By: Howie Luvzus http://www.joethorn.net/2008/01/24/work-as-good-works/#comment-24080 Howie Luvzus Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:56:40 +0000 http://www.joethorn.net/2008/01/24/work-as-good-works/#comment-24080 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. 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.

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