INTRODUCTION
1. As Christians, we are but pilgrims and sojourners in this world...
a. We have duties regarding our spiritual growth and development
- 1Pe 2:11
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from
fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
b. Yet we also have a duty toward those who are still of this world
- 1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest
among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers,
they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the
day of visitation.
2. One arena where we fulfill our duty to those in the world is "the
workplace"...
a. Places of employment where we work
b. Relationships we maintain with those with whom we work
3. What impact should our faith have as members of the workforce...?
a. What effect should it have on us as laborers or managers?
b. Should the workplace become a place to evangelize the lost?
4. In 1Th 4:11-12,And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own
business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye
may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack
of nothing.
Paul gave general instructions concerning Christians
living in this world...
a. To lead a quiet life
b. To mind our own business
c. To work with our own hands
d. To walk properly toward those who are outside
[What this entails may be gleaned further as we consider passages which
speak of Christians as laborers and managers. So let us start by
looking at...]
I. THE CHRISTIAN AS LABORER
A. SCRIPTURAL PASSAGES FOR LABORERS...
1. From the epistles of Paul - Ep 6:5-8
Servants, be obedient to them that are
your masters according to the
flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto
Christ;
6 Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ,
doing thewill of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to
the Lord, and not to men:
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing
any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether
he be bond
or free.
Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters,
and to
please
them well in all
things; not answering again;
10 Not purloining, but
shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour
in all things.
2. From the epistle of Peter - 1Pe 2:18-20
Servants,
be subject to
your masters with all fear; not only to
the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
19 For this
is thank worthy, if
a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what glory
is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it
patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer
for it, ye take it
patiently, this
is acceptable with God.
tribute.Pr 22:29)Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand beforekings; he shall not stand before mean men.
Those who follow such guidelines will not
only please the Lord, but likely be very successful in their work! Now
let's consider...]
II. THE CHRISTIAN AS MANAGER
A. SCRIPTURAL PASSAGES FOR MANAGERS...
1. From the epistles of Paul - Ep 6:9;And, ye masters, do the same things
unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven;
neither is there respect of persons with him.
Col 4:1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing
that ye also have a Master in heaven.
2. From the Old Testament - Deut 24:14-15; Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy,whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangersthat are in thy land within thy gates: 15 At his day thou shalt give
him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto
thee
Pr 22:16; Jer 22:13-17;
Mal 3:5
-- From both Testaments there are principles to guide the
Christian manager
B. SCRIPTURAL GUIDELINES FOR MANAGERS....
1. Remember that you have a Boss in heaven!
2. Treat employees with justice and fairness
3. Do not oppress or exploit those who are under you
4. Don't resort to threatening (seek positive motivation instead)
[Managers who so govern will likely be highly esteemed, both by those
they manage and those under whom they serve. Yet as Christians, our
goal is not just to provide honorable service, but to encourage people
to glorify God. This raises the issue of evangelism in
the workplace...]
III. THE CHRISTIAN AS EVANGELIST
A. CONCERNS TO CONSIDER...
1. As Christians, we are to seek and save the lost - Mk 16:15-16 And he
said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be damned.
2. As workers, honorable service demands a proper day's work for a
day's wage
3. Adorning the doctrine of Christ requires that we not pilfer
(including time) - Tit 2:10
-- The challenge is to properly balance our efforts to save and
our duty to work
B. GUIDELINES TO GOVERN...
1. Don't forget the power of a good example - 1Pe 2:12; 3:1-2
2. Don't let your speech betray your profession as a Christian
- cf. Ep 4:29; 5:4; Col 4:6
3. Wisely consider the best use of one's time on the job - cf. Co
4:5
a. Circumstances at work are rarely conducive to substantive
spiritual discussions
b. Seek to turn casual conversations related to spiritual
subjects into opportunities for home Bible studies
-- Spiritual zeal is no excuse for cheating those who have hired
us
CONCLUSION
1. Involvement in the workplace is a wonderful opportunity...
a. To be able to provide for one's self and family
b. To be able to serve the Lord through making a positive impact on
others
2. Let your faith in the workplace be an opportunity...
a. To demonstrate the value of a vibrant faith in Christ!
b. To reach others for Jesus Christ!
What kind of laborers and managers are we? Do we encourage others to
glorify God...?
Pastor Rolando Ramos
www.fghconline.com
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