Work……is not a dirty word

Paul Spurlin

Interesting…Interesting…

Adam and Eve were Adam and Eve were commanded to work in the commanded to work in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15).Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15).

The work was not what caused The work was not what caused disappointment and disappointment and unhappiness,unhappiness,

It was disobedience!It was disobedience!

Why Do People See Work as Why Do People See Work as a Bad Thing?a Bad Thing? Sometimes we have to do things Sometimes we have to do things

we don’t want to do.we don’t want to do. Sometimes we have to work when Sometimes we have to work when

we’d rather be doing other things.we’d rather be doing other things. Sometimes we don’t see the Sometimes we don’t see the

rewards for our work.rewards for our work. Sometimes work can become Sometimes work can become

repetitive.repetitive. It could also be because we are It could also be because we are

lazy!lazy!

How Does God View Work?How Does God View Work?

““But if anyone does not provide But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (First than an unbeliever” (First Timothy 5:8).Timothy 5:8).

Remember…Remember…

Doing work for an earthly pursuit Doing work for an earthly pursuit helps us understand the work helps us understand the work that must be done to inherit that must be done to inherit eternal life.eternal life.

No one of accountable age goes No one of accountable age goes to heaven without working to heaven without working towards it!towards it!

1. Work Must be Done to 1. Work Must be Done to Accomplish a Goal.Accomplish a Goal.

What if Noah had decided to be What if Noah had decided to be lazy?lazy?

What if he thought, “God can What if he thought, “God can perform miracles; He’ll just build perform miracles; He’ll just build this thing Himself”?this thing Himself”?

What if he had decided to work What if he had decided to work on the ark in his own way?on the ark in his own way?

The ark took a tremendous The ark took a tremendous amount of persistent work!amount of persistent work!

2. Work is Commanded2. Work is Commanded

First Timothy 5:8First Timothy 5:8 Titus 3:1, “be ready for every Titus 3:1, “be ready for every

good work” (preparation is good work” (preparation is work!)work!)

Think of the parables of Jesus. Think of the parables of Jesus. We often see those ready for We often see those ready for the return of the Master because the return of the Master because they are working!they are working!

3. Work is Expected3. Work is Expected

We expect God to work; should We expect God to work; should He not expect the same of us?He not expect the same of us?

Others very often expect us to Others very often expect us to work (families, teachers, work (families, teachers, coaches, etc.).coaches, etc.).

There are certain things that we There are certain things that we should expect of ourselves! should expect of ourselves! (Bible study, prayer, kindness)(Bible study, prayer, kindness)

4. Work is Rewarded4. Work is Rewarded

Money, promotions, bonusesMoney, promotions, bonuses Grades, certificates, diplomas, Grades, certificates, diplomas,

degreesdegrees Extra privilegesExtra privileges Hugs, handshakes, admirationHugs, handshakes, admiration God’s approval! (First God’s approval! (First

Corinthians 15:58)Corinthians 15:58) HeavenHeaven