Theology of Work 101

Recent notes from Jerry White's presentation on, "A Minimalists Guide to Life at Work."

The bottom line for those who like to know the conclusion first!  Our work needs: Calling, Excellence, Competence, Faithfulness (work hard), and Attitude.
 
The Theology of Work:
From the beginning:  "The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”  Genesis 2:15 (NIV)
 
Commands and Limits:  "Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest, you must rest.”  Exodus 34:21 (NIV)
 
New Testament View:  "Make it your ambition to lead a quite life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”  1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV)
 
No work is secular: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”  Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
 
Some specifics:  "For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.  We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it.  On the contrary, we worked day and night, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.  We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow.  For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat.’  We hear that some among you are idle.  They are not busy, they are busybodies.  Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.”  2 Thessalonians 3:7-12 (NIV)
 
Key Concepts:

• Work is a calling.
• Work is to make a contribution to society and God’s Kingdom.
• The Gospel is carried primarily by lay men and women.
• The failure is that lay men and women have not been discipled.
• Dispel the myth that “Real Disciples” go full time in vocational ministry.

 
Pinpricks for Our Thinking:

• “Americans worship their work, work at their play, and play at their worship.” Gordon Dahl
• “In nothing has the church so lost their hold on reality as in her failure to understand and respect the secular vocation.” Dorothy Sayers
• “Make no mistake – the workplace is this nation’s great unrecognized Church.” Paul Stevens
• “I think most of us are looking for a calling, not a job.” Studs Terkel
• “Moses did not sub-let the work on the Tabernacle to the lowest bidder.  He hired the best and most skilled in the nation.” Jerry White

Dig in for yourself!  What does God reveal to you about himself, you, and work? 

– Gen Desk Director