What should precede every day’s work?
(Gen. 2:15; Deut. 16:15; Eccl. 9:10; Acts 20:34-35; 1 Cor. 10:31) Blog Dec. 6-12, 2020
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: In Eden, in the home, in the classroom, in the workplace, and in nature those who come with a desire to learn and put what they learn into practice will grow in the wisdom that comes from above. The Ten Commandments together with the story of Genesis guide us in forming a Biblical worldview that properly understands the origin, meaning, morality, and destiny of life. Jesus was the great Teacher who gave us a perfect revelation of what God is like and a perfect fulfillment of the Ten Commandments as our Surety and Substitute. All true education will enhance our worship of God and prepare us for eternal life with him. To this end the church should be especially equipped and natural beauty and science should add their testimony.
Why work? (Gen. 2:15; 3:17; Psa. 90:17; Prov. 10:4; 12:14; Eccl. 3:12-13; Acts 20:34-35; Eph. 4:28; 2 Thes. 3:10)
1. When and where was work first given to humanity? In the beginning in the garden of Eden.
2. How was work affected after the fall of man? It was made more difficult because the ground was cursed.
3. What is the primary reason that we should work? Because it is a gift from God which he gave to all humanity.
4. After the fall what element of daily work prepares us for eating? Exercising sufficiently so that we sweat.
5. What did Paul command the Thessalonians about work? That if someone is unwilling to work, neither should he eat.
6. What benefits come from working? We earn money, get exercise that enhances our health, gain a sense of well-being, & have something to share with others.
7. Besides the work that we do to earn our livelihood in what other type of work should Christians be involved? The work of sharing the Gospel of our salvation.
8. Why did Jesus spend so many years working in his father’s carpenter shop? Because it was there like every proper Hebrew youth he learned a manual trade & developed a character that included accuracy, obedience, humility, thoroughness, & industry showing us that work is every man’s duty & is honorable & ennobling & so left us an example to follow. By doing this Jesus also helped pay the expenses of the home.
9. What does Solomon tell us we should gain from working? Food & drink & satisfaction.
When work? (Ex. 20:8-11; Deut. 16:15; Matt. 20:9; Mark 6:31; John 11:9; Acts 27:34)
10. When God gave us work what did he also give us? He gave us the Sabbath rest and nightly rest.
11. How many days a week does God tell us we should work? Six days a week
12. According to Jesus what time period is allotted for a day’s work? Twelve hours.
13. Besides nightly rest and weekly rest what other times did God set aside for refraining from labor? Times of religious festivals, the Sabbatical Year, the Year of Jubilee, & after periods of hard labor when we should leave the cares of this life & go apart into seclusion & rest awhile.
14. What happens if we work more than what God has designed for us? We suffer fatigue & loss of health.
15. What should precede every day’s work? A good night’s sleep, prayer, Bible study, & a good breakfast.
How work? (Ex. 31:1-6; 35:30-36; Neh. 6:9; Eccl. 9:10; Prov. 21:25; Rom. 12:11; 1 Cor. 10:31; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 6:5-8; 1 John 3:3)
16. How does Ecclesiastes 9 tell us we should work? With all our might.
17. How does Romans 12 tell us we should work? Not slothfully but fervently as serving the Lord.
18. How does First Corinthians 10 tell us we should work? For the glory of God.
19. If we work for an employer how are we to work? With good will as if we were working for Jesus.
20. In preparing to live with God for eternity is there a work that we are to be involved in now? YES, we are to be purifying ourselves in cooperation with the Holy Spirit in a progressive work of sanctification which is our fitness for heaven.