Introduction

28/2/2015Faith & Work : Session 31

FAITH AND WORK : RECAP28/2/2015Faith & Work : Session 32FAITHWORK

Faith affects WHY we workFaith affects HOW we workAgents of Gods providenceOffering to God and for His Kingdom

We have been dealing with the connection of faith and works for the last couple of weeks as a carryover from last years discussion. And we talked about how to integrate our faith and our work. We heard how our work is important to our faith how our work can be an offering to God, how it can be used for Gods kingdom and His purposes. We also dealt with how our faith impacts our work in how we perform our job, the decisions made and how we interact with others around us. This session, we would like to take a step back and look at a fundamental question Why do we work? What does our faith have to do with the motivation for work2

WHY WORK WORK ETHIC28/2/2015Faith & Work : Session 33In the beginning.God was workingMan created in Gods imageFulfilling God-given assignments

First, lets go right back to the beginning. In the beginning.God was working. And man, created in the image of God, was put in the Garden to work. Here, the picture painted for us is work as Gods calling, reflecting his image in us and being partners in the world. Then the fall happened, and if we go through human history we see the development of different work ethics, shaped by historical events and philosophies. The motivations for work tend to be a reflection of the dominant cultural shaping forces of the time. Back in the middle ages, the puritan ethic was dominant.then cam then 3

WHY WORK WORK ETHIC28/2/2015Faith & Work : Session 34 Self-fulfilment Personal happiness is goodWhats in it for me?

First, lets go right back to the biginning. In the beginning.God was working. And man, created in the image of God, was put in the Garden to work. Here, the picture painted for us is work as Gods calling, reflecting his image in us and being partners in the world. Then the fall happened, and if we go through human history we see the development of different work ethics, shaped by historical events and philosophies. The motivations for work tend to be a reflection of the dominant cultural shaping forces of the time. Back in the middle ages, the puritan ethic was dominant.then cam then 4

Factors affectingChoice of CareerAspiration FulfillmentPersonal desires are metDoesnt compromise on other aspects that I desire e.g family time, meaningful leisure time.My aspirations can be evil, hence there is neutrality in my values and no benchmark for ethical decisions in the face of such aspirations.Can be independent of what I am capable of doing.If need to resort to unethical means / decisions, then I might

Factors affectingChoice of CareerCapacity FulfilmentTied closely to my personal self development or capabilities.What I can achieve by developing my inherent capabilitiesCan be independent from what I aspire to be (Aspiration Fulfilment)Allows me to advance periodically Must be fully engaged in my work and be fully satisfied in my jobFULFILLMENT is found in HAPPINESS which is tied to GETTING THE MOST FOR THE LEAST EFFORT. (Work smart, not hard!)

WHY WORK WORK ETHIC28/2/2015Faith & Work : Session 38Leisure Ethic Leisure is the goal of work

First, lets go right back to the biginning. In the beginning.God was working. And man, created in the image of God, was put in the Garden to work. Here, the picture painted for us is work as Gods calling, reflecting his image in us and being partners in the world. Then the fall happened, and if we go through human history we see the development of different work ethics, shaped by historical events and philosophies. The motivations for work tend to be a reflection of the dominant cultural shaping forces of the time. Back in the middle ages, the puritan ethic was dominant.then cam then 8

WHY WORK WORK ETHIC28/2/2015Faith & Work : Session 39

NEW AGE WORK ETHIC

Re-creating self and make what you want, new definitions and boundaries. Endless possibilities, potential, elevation of self to transcend and godlike self-view. Idolatry becomes self-idolatry where self is the idol

First, lets go right back to the biginning. In the beginning.God was working. And man, created in the image of God, was put in the Garden to work. Here, the picture painted for us is work as Gods calling, reflecting his image in us and being partners in the world. Then the fall happened, and if we go through human history we see the development of different work ethics, shaped by historical events and philosophies. The motivations for work tend to be a reflection of the dominant cultural shaping forces of the time. Back in the middle ages, the puritan ethic was dominant.then cam then 9

NEW AGE ETHIC28/2/2015Faith & Work : Session 310

Career Subjective, Moral Issues Flexible, Immediate Gratification

First, lets go right back to the biginning. In the beginning.God was working. And man, created in the image of God, was put in the Garden to work. Here, the picture painted for us is work as Gods calling, reflecting his image in us and being partners in the world. Then the fall happened, and if we go through human history we see the development of different work ethics, shaped by historical events and philosophies. The motivations for work tend to be a reflection of the dominant cultural shaping forces of the time. Back in the middle ages, the puritan ethic was dominant.then cam then 10

NEW AGE ETHIC28/2/2015Faith & Work : Session 311

Colleagues Means To An End, Look After Myself, Shallow Relationships

First, lets go right back to the biginning. In the beginning.God was working. And man, created in the image of God, was put in the Garden to work. Here, the picture painted for us is work as Gods calling, reflecting his image in us and being partners in the world. Then the fall happened, and if we go through human history we see the development of different work ethics, shaped by historical events and philosophies. The motivations for work tend to be a reflection of the dominant cultural shaping forces of the time. Back in the middle ages, the puritan ethic was dominant.then cam then 11

NEW AGE ETHIC28/2/2015Faith & Work : Session 312

Rewards Self-Entitlement, Self-Made-Man, Enjoy Life to the Max

First, lets go right back to the biginning. In the beginning.God was working. And man, created in the image of God, was put in the Garden to work. Here, the picture painted for us is work as Gods calling, reflecting his image in us and being partners in the world. Then the fall happened, and if we go through human history we see the development of different work ethics, shaped by historical events and philosophies. The motivations for work tend to be a reflection of the dominant cultural shaping forces of the time. Back in the middle ages, the puritan ethic was dominant.then cam then 12

NEW AGE ETHIC28/2/2015Faith & Work : Session 313

Future / Destiny Create My Own, Boundless Possibilities, Life Accountable to No One

First, lets go right back to the biginning. In the beginning.God was working. And man, created in the image of God, was put in the Garden to work. Here, the picture painted for us is work as Gods calling, reflecting his image in us and being partners in the world. Then the fall happened, and if we go through human history we see the development of different work ethics, shaped by historical events and philosophies. The motivations for work tend to be a reflection of the dominant cultural shaping forces of the time. Back in the middle ages, the puritan ethic was dominant.then cam then 13

WHY WORK 28/2/2015Faith & Work : Session 314Biblical EthicMatt 6 : Seek ye first the kingdom of God and righteousness WHY : Work for Gods kingdomHOW : Gods righteousnessRedeem our creative partnership with God

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WHY WORK - QUESTIONS 28/2/2015Faith & Work : Session 315Is your value in God's eyes determined by your current profession?Jesus called the working class to be his disciplesWhat is your motivation at work?How does that impact how we deal with problems at work?

Marks slides15

WHY WORK - QUESTIONS 28/2/2015Faith & Work : Session 316Key Question: Who Is Really Your God At Your Workplace?Is your god Jesus, or He-Who-Butters-My-Bread? Whose displeasure do you really fear - your boss, key client, or God?Who do you think is the ultimate person who will reward you for your work - God or man?

Marks slides16

GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 28/2/2015Faith & Work : Session 317What is our motivation for work? Who do we serve (Money? Ourselves? God?)? How does that impact how we work?

How has our upbringing, culture and social interaction shaped the way we think about work? In light of our Christian identity, how can we combat these influences?

Why is work important to God? Are there some jobs (like Pastor, social worker) which are inherently God serving and others not? How can the biblical perspective of work transform the way we work?

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WHY WORK28/2/2015Faith & Work : Session 318FAITHWORK