The Importance of Work

External Problems We Face in the Work Environment

Internal Problems We Face in the Work Environment

Overcoming These Problems . . .

From the beginning – From the beginning – Genesis 2:15Genesis 2:15

Hardship after sin – Hardship after sin – Genesis 3:19Genesis 3:19

REQUIRED of the ABLE – REQUIRED of the ABLE – ((laziness is condemnedlaziness is condemned!) !) Proverbs 6:6-11; Proverbs 6:6-11; 2 Thessalonians 3:102 Thessalonians 3:10

For our own good – For our own good – Ecclesiastes 5:19Ecclesiastes 5:19

In order to help others – In order to help others – Ephesians 4:28Ephesians 4:28

Should be good workers –Should be good workers –Ephesians 6:5-8 Ephesians 6:5-8 Colossians 3:22,23Colossians 3:22,23

Business - not morals!Business - not morals! 1 Peter 2:18-22 1 Peter 2:18-22 Acts 16:16-19Acts 16:16-19

Pressure to do evil – not Pressure to do evil – not good!good! Daniel 3:15; 6:1-28 Daniel 3:15; 6:1-28 1 Corinthians 15:331 Corinthians 15:33

““Dog-eat-dog”Dog-eat-dog” – – not a team not a team of membersof members! ! Philippians 3:18-20 Philippians 3:18-20 Jude 1:16 Jude 1:16

Denominational error – not Denominational error – not truth!truth! 2 Corinthians 11:3 2 Corinthians 11:3 Colossians 2:4-8,18 Colossians 2:4-8,18 Matthew 23:2Matthew 23:2

Temptation to behave Temptation to behave like the ungodlylike the ungodly – – Proverbs 1:10-17 Proverbs 1:10-17 Ephesians 5:1-17 Ephesians 5:1-17 1 Peter 4:2-6 1 Peter 4:2-6 Titus 2:9,10Titus 2:9,10

Sexual perversionSexual perversion (adultery, (adultery, filthy language, pornography)filthy language, pornography)

IntemperanceIntemperance (going to bars, (going to bars, drinking, drugs, gambling)drinking, drugs, gambling)

Engaging in sinful workEngaging in sinful work

√ Lazy and undependable Lazy and undependable

√ Greedy/covetous Greedy/covetous

√ Stealing /cheating Stealing /cheating

√ Gossiping/backstabbing, Gossiping/backstabbing, etc. etc.

Other Other REAL problems with problems with which Christians deal:which Christians deal:√ Responding with meekness to Responding with meekness to

persecution and hardshippersecution and hardship 2 Timothy 3:12 2 Timothy 3:12 Proverbs 15:1Proverbs 15:1

Returning good for evil.Returning good for evil. Romans 12:17-21 Romans 12:17-21

√ Weariness and Weariness and discouragement discouragement Galatians 6:9 Galatians 6:9 2 Thessalonians 3:13 2 Thessalonians 3:13 Hebrews 12:3Hebrews 12:3

We cannot compartmentalize We cannot compartmentalize our lives. our lives. (Colossians 3:17-23)(Colossians 3:17-23)

Do our best. Do our best. (Ecclesiastes 9:10)(Ecclesiastes 9:10)

Speak with grace, seasoned Speak with grace, seasoned with salt. with salt. (Ephesians 4:29; 5:4; (Ephesians 4:29; 5:4; Colossians 4:6)Colossians 4:6)

Mind your own business. Mind your own business. 1 Thessalonians 4:11,121 Thessalonians 4:11,12

Grow spiritually. Grow spiritually. 2 Peter 1:5-112 Peter 1:5-11

Set a good example. Set a good example. Matthew 5:13-16 Matthew 5:13-16 Philippians 1:27 Philippians 1:27 1 Peter 2:12 1 Peter 2:12 Acts 5:29Acts 5:29

Attend faithfully. Attend faithfully. Hebrews 10:24,25Hebrews 10:24,25

Pray for yourself and your Pray for yourself and your fellow workers. fellow workers. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 1 Timothy 2:1-4 James 5:13James 5:13

Look for opportunities to Look for opportunities to teach God’s word. teach God’s word. Matthew 10:16 Matthew 10:16 2 Timothy 2:2 2 Timothy 2:2 Colossians 4:5Colossians 4:5

Work is important.Work is important.

External forces will be External forces will be working against us.working against us.

Internal forces will want us Internal forces will want us to compromise.to compromise.

We CAN overcome these We CAN overcome these problems.problems.