Work A Kingdom Perspective

A Working Hypothesis

N.B. Fascinates has an S in it

Divine vs. Human Perspectives on Work

A Theology of Everyday Life

• Problem---- too little Biblical reflection on what we do with most of our time.

• This includes too little Christian reflection on work, rest, play, study, relating, and other mundane subjects.

• There is a distinct paucity of serious theological books on work.

Common Misconceptions

Do we work to live or live to work?

Work--- Curse or Cure?

God--- the worker, the gardener

In fact…..

• God is regularly depicted as always working by Jesus, even though we hear of God ‘resting’ (perhaps better translated ‘enjoying’) after the six days of creation.

• Jesus says he also is working, and indeed makes a point of working on the Sabbath--- healing all sorts of people

In the Beginning…..

Work– the Original Design

• Work is part of the original creation plan for humanity, it is not punishment for sin, nor is it the curse which plagues us.

• ‘Fill the earth and subdue it’• ‘Tend the garden….’• But balance is required.

What was the curse???

Fleas, Ticks, and Flies??

The Whole Earth?

More Specifically…

• The curse was on the ground, making working with the earth toilsome.

• It is not work, but its toilsomeness and danger that is the effect of the curse.

• It is not pregnancy or labor, but pain and danger in labor that is the effect of the curse on Eve.

BUT…….

• ROMANS 8.19-20—”FOR THE CREATION WAITS WITH EAGER LONGING FOR THE REVEALING OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD, FOR THE CREATION WAS SUBJECTED TO FUTILITY…BY THE WILL OF THE ONE WHO SUBJECTED IT, IN HOPE THAT THE CREATION ITSELF WILL BE SET FREE FROM ITS BONDAGE TO DECAY AND WILL OBTAIN THE FREEDOM OF THE GLORY OF THE CHILDREN.”

God’s Plan for Creation—Fertility not Futility

“Our England is a garden and such gardens are not made… by sitting in the shade”---Kipling

The Imago Dei– a Work in Progress

• What does it mean to be created in God’s image?• In short, it involves being created for ‘good works’• Indeed, the Christian is ‘created in Christ Jesus for good

works”

Being and Doing

• Being and Doing are intertwined.• But when being is simply defined in terms of doing (you

are what you do) there is a problem. It leads to one deriving their sense of self-worth entirely from doing, accomplishing, finishing etc.

• Friend’s coffee mug….. Do, be do, be, do.

Bad Theologies of Work

• Work as salvation• Work as curse• Faith as opposed to work or works. (no, ‘faith without

works is dead…’)• Living to work…. • NO, work is part of a normal life cycle– worship, work,

rest, play, study, relating……There is a need for balance.

Necessary Distinctions

• Calling, gifting, vocation, work are intertwined but can be distinguished.

• ‘Work is what weaves together the very fabric of a called person’s identity, and fulfills it’

• ‘Work that is really a man’s own work is play, and not work at all.’--- Mark Twain

• Too many people have found a job, but not their calling, vocation or work.

• Work done well and to God’s glory is ministry, it is a sacred not secular activity.

Hard work is one thing…..

Sedentary Work accompanied by Vigorous Play

Labor Saving or Labor Creating Device?

Winston Churchill

• “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”.

• Is work all about getting? Getting ahead? • Your ministry may differ from what pays your bills at

times. But all good work can be a ministry. • Read Opus Magnum poem.

Biblical Guide Lines

• ‘A Workman is worthy of his hire’ (e.g. equal pay for equal work).

• ‘Let him who will not work, not eat’ (laziness and being a sponge is not a virtue or Christian value– see the sluggard in Proverbs)

• ‘Each one should carry his own load’….but when the situation calls for it ‘bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the Law of Christ’ (Gal. 6).

Biblical Guidelines

• ‘Whatever is excellent, think on these things’. Striving for excellence in your work is a Christian value. Merely punching a clock or doing the minimum to get paid is not.

• ‘Work to find yourself approve’ (by God).• ‘So that whatever you do, do it to the glory of God and

for the edification of others’. • ‘The gifts given you are for use for the common good,

not merely to benefit yourself’.

Biblical Principles

• Be diligent, for ‘the night cometh when no one can work…and you do not know whose watching or the hour of your visitation’