CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITIES (1)

TOPIC: CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITIES (1)
TEXT: PROVERBS 26:13-16

The Christian’s ethical code should govern his actions every day of the week. He does not put on his Christianity just when he goes to church on Sunday; he takes it with him to work, where he lives a large part of his life. He looks to the Bible for guidance regarding what is right and wrong in his work as an employer or an employee and in spending what he earns.

His responsibilities to work – Christians are required to work to earn their money; stealing and other dishonest ways of profiting financially are forbidden. Laziness is also condemned (Proverbs 19:15; 6:6–11; 15:19; 18:9; 26:13–16). The Bible says, “That if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10b). Work is not a punishment placed upon man as a result of the sin of Adam and Eve. Even before he sinned, Adam was told to care for the garden (Genesis 2:15). However, one consequence of the first sin was that the ground was cursed, and work became harder (Genesis 3:17–19). Work itself was, and is, a blessing to man. Christ Himself worked; He was a carpenter. The apostles were working men; Paul frequently worked to support himself while he preached the gospel (Acts 20:33–35; 2 Thessalonians 3:7–9).

None of Christ’s apostles were among the rich. It should, therefore, come as no surprise that Christ’s followers today are expected to work for a living. While every Christian ought to earn his own living and use what he makes to help others as well, that does not mean it is wrong for a Christian in need to accept help. Refusing assistance may indicate wrongful pride; further, to refuse support from another deprives that person of a blessing. Being poor is not evidence of God’s disapproval, nor does wealth prove that one is pleasing to God. The Jews in Jesus’ day believed that God always rewarded the righteous with material blessings, while the poor and the sick had brought misery upon themselves by unrighteousness (John 9:1–3).

Jesus taught against this prevailing view in various ways, most notably in the story about Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19–31). The disciples were amazed when Jesus said it was hard for a rich man to be saved; and they asked, “Then who can be saved?” (Matthew 19:25b). The Christian’s goal should be to make enough money to care for himself and others. Paul set an example for us by working with his hands and ministering to his own needs. He wrote to the Ephesians’ elders, “You must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:34, 35; Ephesians 4:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:6–15; 1 Timothy 5:4–8).

Word Affirmation: Blessed shalt thou (I) be in the city, and blessed shalt thou (I) be in the field - Deuteronomy 28:3 (Don't just say it, mean it!)

“Being poor is not evidence of God’s disapproval, nor does wealth prove that one is pleasing to God.”

Central Truth