Does My Work Matter?
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Ephesians 6:5-9 New King James Version
The Great Resignation
Employers posted 11.5 million job openings in March, while 4.5 million Americans voluntarily quit their jobs. Both figures are the highest on record, and reflect a tight labor market that has encouraged workers to seek better opportunities and higher pay.
https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-inflation-8fef1c593676a5e8da389005ee030ed6
Qualities of a Good Employee
1. Dedication (Ephesians 6:5) - Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh,
2. Respect (Ephesians 6:5) – with fear and trembling
3. Integrity (Ephesians 6:5-6) - in sincerity of heart,
a. as to Christ;
b. not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers,
c. but as bondservants of Christ,
d. doing the will of God from the heart,
4. Motivation (Ephesians 6:7) with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,
a. Keys to Success:
i. Show up
ii. Show up on time (early is on time; on time is late)
iii. Show up on time ready to work
iv. Show up on time ready to work for Jesus
5. Knowledge (Ephesians 6:8) - knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
a. Psalm 75:6 For exaltation [promotion (KJV)] comes neither from the east Nor from the west nor from the south.
b. Psalm 75:7 But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another.
i. God is our provider, not our job.
Qualities of a Good Employer
1. Exemplary (Ephesians 6:9) - And you, masters, do the same things to them,
2. Encouraging (Ephesians 6:9) - giving up threatening,
3. Knowledge (Ephesians 6:9) - knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
Three Mindsets to Make Work Matter
1. Work is not a curseword (Genesis 2:15).
a. Genesis 2:15 Then the LordGod took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.
2. Work is a blessing (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 c.f. v. 22).
a. Ecclesiastes 3:12 I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives,
b. Ecclesiastes 3:13 and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.
3. Work is a calling (Ephesians 4:1).
a. Ephesians 4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,
i. Ephesians 4:1 (KJV) I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
ii. Oxford definition: vocation: relating to an occupation or employment; directed at a particular occupation and its skills.
iii. Exodus 31:1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
iv. Exodus 31:2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.
v. Exodus 31:3 And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
vi. Exodus 31:4 to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze,
vii. Exodus 31:5 in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.
viii. Exodus 31:6 “And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you:
ix. Why does my job matter to God?
1. A job provides an opportunity to witness for Christ (Matthew 5:15-16).
a. Matthew 5:15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
b. Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
2. A job provides resourcesfor God’s Kingdom (Luke 16:9).
a. Luke 16:9 “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.
i. Fail - ‘To give out’ may be expressed as ‘to no longer exist’ or ‘no longer to have any.’[1]
[1] Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 562.