CW 4-12 - Southwest church of Christ

Volume 98, Number 4 8900 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748 April 2012
We Serve the Lord in All Our Labors
Tom Moore
We live in an era when a good work ethic is
getting very difficult to find among many
in the workforce. Many are trying to “just
get by” doing as little as possible. Others care little
about the quality of craftsmanship, and still others are
unethical in their business dealings. Sadly, it seems,
many Christians have taken on this same mentality.
What kind of employee should a Christian
endeavor to be In any undertaking, how should a
Christian perform As we delve into this issue, we must
first understand that we serve the Lord Christ in all our
labors. The apostle Paul declared,
Servants, obey in all things your masters according
to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers;
but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And
whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord,
and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye
shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye
serve the Lord Christ. (Col. 3:22-24)
The beloved apostle further states,
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters
according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in
singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with
eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of
Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With
good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not
to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any
man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord,
whether he be bond or free. (Eph. 6:5-8)
Let us consider several truths from the inspired
pen of Paul that will guide us in the activities we carry
out. First, we are instructed that we are “obey”—to be
faithful and hard workers, not to be “menpleasers; but
in singleness of heart, fearing God. And whatsoever ye
do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”
Thus, in our labors we must be working as though we
were working for the Almighty—for in reality, He is
our ultimate boss. “Fearing God” or having reverence
is showing the proper respect for God. Therefore,
we must discharge our service faithfully; we will not
misspend our employer’s time, nor will we embezzle
(Continued on page 11)
The Christian Work Ethic
We Serve the Lord in All Our Labors
Tom Moore............................................................1
Growing Trends in Indolence
Keviin Cauley..........................................................2
God Designed Man to Work
Don Prather...........................................................3
The Purpose of Work
Mike Bonner..........................................................4
The Bible Teaches a Work Ethic for Women
Jewell Herring........................................................5
“Go to the Ant, Thou Sluggard”
Sam Willcut............................................................6
Being a Billboard
David Lillard...........................................................7
Fair Compensation for a Job Well Done
Jim Word................................................................8
“Beware of Covetousness”
Gabriel Rodriguez..................................................9
Our Labor Will Be Judged
Troy Spradlin........................................................10

Growing Trends in Indolence
This has ever been the fate of energy in security; it
takes to art and to eroticism, and then come languor
and decay.
(H. G. Wells, The Time Machine)
In H. G. Wells book, The Time Machine, he journeys
far into the future to the year 802,701 A.D. He
describes the people he meets in this future world
as indolent, which means habitually lazy, or slothful.
Indolence is a lack of activity in one’s life, or an attitude
of passivity toward all of one’s affairs. As our culture
grows more and more “secure,” Wells, warning rings
true. We are in danger of dying the death of the apathetic
because some in our society are willing to provide that
for which one must work. The utopian vision of “From
each according to his ability, to each according to his
need,” results in “languor and decay.”
We are already beginning to see this trend in
society today. There are those who sit back and permit
the government to provide for them from the cradle to
the grave. Others work just enough to get by so that they
may keep their television set operational; these are then
lulled into lethargy by its luminous display. We hear
stories of hoarders who collect old chicken bones in the
bathtub and stack magazines all over the house, leaving
little trails through the clutter to get from one room to
the next. In England, a few years ago, one man became
trapped in his own house as he was crawling through a
tunnel of garbage. He died there, and the rescue teams
had to clear out the piles of refuse before his corpse could
be recovered. Are these extreme examples Perhaps they
are, but do we not know some that are not so far away
from this
In my own experience, I have had friends express
to me concerns about their adult children (or whom
their children have married) along these lines: “They
are so lazy.” “They sleep late, go to bed early, and sit
around playing video games all day. They don’t want
to get up, go to work, or do anything except sit around,
be entertained, and taken care of by others.” The trend
seems to be growing among young men, but concerns of
young women being just as indolent are also real. Young
men and young women who are not taught in the home
that one must work diligently to be successful in life face
an unforgiving world that will not molly coddle them
when it is time to take out the trash, do the dishes, or
scrub the toilets. Depression ensues when such children
realize they no longer live in the sanitized environment
of their parent’s home, and must provide for their own
necessities. Children must be taught early on that there
is no substitute in life for diligent labor.
The Bible makes clear that honorable and
respectable work is an attribute of the faithful Christian.
The apostle Paul commanded, “Let him that stole steal
no more: but rather let him labour, working with his
hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give
to him that needeth” (Eph. 4:28). He exhorted those at
Thessalonica, “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do
your own business, and to work with your own hands, as
we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward
them that are without, and that ye may have lack of
nothing” (1 Thess. 4:11-12). He wrote to Timothy, “But
if any provide not for his own, and specially for those
of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse
than an infidel” (1 Tim.5:8). The Bible clearly teaches
that we must work to provide for our own needs, and
the needs of our own.
This is not selfish as the radicals charge. They
reason that working so as to earn one’s own property is
wasteful and needlessly consumes resources that could
be available to others. The truth is just the opposite. When
we work to provide for ourselves and our families, we are
(Continued on page 3)
CHRISTIAN WORKER
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not a burden on society, but provide for our own needs.
Otherwise, someone else would be forced to provide
for us. Forcing another to provide for one who does not
want to work is truly the selfish choice. Indolence should
never be rewarded. Paul said, “For even when we were
with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not
work, neither should he eat” (2 Thess. 3:10). Charity
should be a hand up, not a hand out.
This issue of the Christian Worker concerns itself
with the topic of work/labor. In a time when the trend in
the world is to become more indolent, we must redouble
our efforts to be more diligent. To this end, the articles in
this issue seek to address what the Bible teaches about
work/labor, its relationship to the individual Christian,
and its relationship to the church. The church may be a
place where the downtrodden come for assistance, but
such assistance is not an end in itself. The goal is to lift
such a one up to the point where he can be self sustaining
to the point that he is then able to assist others who
occupy the place where he once stood.
God Designed Man to Work
Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 2:15 & Genesis 3:17-19
Don Prather
CW
Like a frequently used lawn mower, man sputters to
life quickly and runs smoothly with the rhythms
of work. Those rhythms include challenges and
satisfactions. We are challenged by long hours spent
at work, by demanding tasks of specific jobs, and by a
thousand other frustrations, but we take satisfaction in
jobs well done, in associations with co-workers, and,
of course, in pay and benefits. To borrow a phrase from
Paul, work works together for good for those who love
the Lord.
Loving the Lord requires us to respect his ways
(John 14:15, etc.), not only his ways of Christian doctrine
and practice, but also the ways he has built into our
nature. We are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psa.
139:14) in our physical capacities and also in our heart,
our soul, and our mind (Matt. 22:37). Who would take
a perfectly good lawn mower and use it as a fan Who
would take human nature, made “in the image of God”
(Gen. 1:27), and live defiantly against the character God
gave us, our rich dimensions of “heart and mind” (Phil.
4:7) and spirit
Man was made during the hard-working week of
God’s creative effort, the sixth day to be exact (Gen.
1:24-31). “And on the seventh day God ended his work
which he had made; and he rested” (Gen. 2:2). Made in
his image, we were created to work and rest, with more
of the former and less of the latter.
Work was man’s role in the Garden. Although
God’s hopes for man’s happiness and his richest blessings
were available everywhere, “the Lord God took the
man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and
to keep it” (Gen. 2:15). Dressing and keeping are chores
of tilling and cultivating. “So it seems,” wrote John Gill,
“that man was not to live an idle life.”
“Horticulture, or gardening, is the first kind of
employment on record... Even in a state of innocence
we cannot conceive it possible that man could have been
happy if inactive. God gave him work to do, and his employment
contributed to his happiness; for the structure
of his body, as well as of his mind” (Adam Clarke).
Matthew Henry further explained the operational
purpose and optimal fulfillment of man: “Only he that
made us can make us happy; he that is the Former of our
bodies, and the Father of our spirits… can fully provide
for the happiness of both. Even in paradise man had to
work. None of us were sent into the world to be idle.”
Following the Fall, the weight of work increased.
“Because thou hast…eaten of the tree,” said God,
“cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou
eat of it all the days of thy life…In the sweat of thy face
shalt thou eat bread till thou return unto the ground”
(Gen. 3:17-19). By turning away from God’s simple
Garden command, man turned away from great blessings
and turned toward a life of greater exertion.
Is work alone the curse, or is the curse defined in
more subtle detail Writing about conditions after The
Fall, William McDonald interestingly observed, “Work
itself is not a curse; it is more often a blessing. It is the
sorrow, toil, frustration, perspiration, and weariness
connected with work that is the curse.”
(Continued on page 4)
April 2012
CHRISTIAN WORKER
Page 3

God Designed Man to Work, continued.
No, we were made in the image of God to work
and placed in the Garden to work, so work itself cannot
be the curse. The ground received the curse, and just
as woman’s curse was a great increase in the pain of
childbearing (Gen. 3:16), man’s curse is a great increase
in the difficulties of earning a living. Expressing
similar sentiment is Houston’s hard-selling furniture
pitchman “Mattress Mack” McIngvale who often speaks
motivationally about the importance of work saying,
“Work is not our penance or punishment. Work is our
glory and our salvation. Work is life’s greatest therapy.”
Like a lawn mower left too long in the shed, man
chokes and coughs uselessly when he does not work.
Why is man so prone to discontentment, despair, and
disobedience when he is idle We must work in harmony
with God’s intended purpose and our built-in disposition.
Simply stated, God designed man to work and we do
not work very well if we do not work at all.
CW
The Purpose of Work
Mike Bonner
There’s an old adage I remember from childhood:
“A little work never hurts anyone!” This truism
is still worthy of our consideration today.
These clichés are bedrock in biblical principles and
commandments from the Old and New Testament.
However, the purpose of work has a richer meaning and
really must be well thought-out. Let us take heed and
explore some of the purposes of work and how it really
is a benefit to all who engage therein!
There’s nothing new about working and toiling.
In the beginning when the Lord God created man, He
placed him in the Garden and commanded him to tend
and keep it (Gen. 2:15). Adam was given responsibilities
to labor, tend, or work and to dress, keep, or protect
the Garden. It is safe to conclude that working teaches
man responsibility. Furthermore, working teaches the
child of God of his responsibility and duty towards his
fellow man and God. Working gives man confidence
and a will to accomplish a given task. Paul instructed
the Ephesians concerning the obligation of laboring,
thus not putting oneself in the position to steal (4:28).
In addition, this would aid him in helping those who are
in need of assistance.
So why should we work so hard on a daily basis
for an employer, or even for ourselves Reflect on this
observation: Jesus said clearly to His disciples to seek
first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt.
6:33). Considering the context, Jesus instructed them
not to be concerned about the necessities of life, for the
Lord will take care of them. Now this does not champion
that one can sit around in slothfulness. In seeking first
the kingdom, we must be diligent in our labors so those
who are without may see Christ living in us. So many
have bought into the fact that our money belongs to us
alone. However, Paul’s teaching concerning sharing
demonstrates that this could not be the case (1 Tim.
6:17-19). The Christians at Galatia were exhorted to
share from their labors to those who communicated the
Gospel of Christ (6:6). So another purpose for working
is to share with others.
When the Lord was providing for Israel, He said
something that should arrest our attention, “For it is
he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may
establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers,
as it is this day” (Deut. 8:18). God is the One in whom
we live and move and have our very being (Acts
17:28). He is the One who is responsible for giving us
life; therefore, we should strive to give Him glory when
we’re working for our secular masters. Christians are
responsible for being that employee who is diligent,
self-motivated, and disciplined enough to be left to his
task without micro-management (Col. 3:22). This type
of work ethic will bring glory to God, perhaps opening
a door for the Lord to give the increase (1 Cor. 3:5-9).
Even in the midst of ill treatment as a worker, the Lord
wants us to hang in there and endure the suffering, for
Peter said this is well-pleasing to God (1 Pet. 2:18-20).
Another great purpose for work!
Unfortunately, there will always be those who are
slothful in their labor. Solomon said, “He also that is
slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great
waster” (Prov. 18:9). This attitude is paramount in the
one who will not take care of their physical families
(1 Tim. 5:8). What a great opportunity to show Christ
(Continued on page 5)
Page 4 CHRISTIAN WORKER April 2012

Purpose of Work, continued.
living in you by taking care of your widowed mother
or grandmother! The Lord has given men the power to
get wealth to take care of brethren who have fallen into
difficult times and just need a hand to rebound from
financial despair. John stated very clearly and we dare
not bypass this point, “But whoso hath this world’s
good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth
up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth
the love of God in him” (1 John 3:17). Oh, to exhibit
love and kindness to our brethren in time of need! This
is breathtaking, not only to our brethren, but to the
world as well (Gal. 6:10; 2 Cor. 9:12-13). What a great
and powerful expression of charity, all because of the
command to work.
In closing, if an able-bodied individual refuses to
work, the Bible clearly teaches he doesn’t deserve to eat
(2 Thess. 3:10). Consider this adage, “A lazy man will
work when his stomach reaches his back from hunger.”
Let us realize the blessings of work. This will afford us
the opportunity to leave something for the grandchildren,
the church, or even a worthy cause which helps
and brings God glory.
CW
The Bible Teaches a
Work Ethic for Women
Jewell Herring
harder. The people on welfare
depend on it,” reads a bumper sticker I
“Work
see every day while walking to my car
after work. Did you know that families who receive cash
assistance and food stamps are on these government
programs anywhere from five months to over seven
years The desire for some women to work has become
archaic since government aid is so readily available and
easy to obtain. Some, such as single women working
and raising children on their own, need the assistance;
however, this article is more focused on those women
who are blessed with good health and the physical
capabilities to work, but refuse to do so.
Since there is a standard that God has set for
women, the characteristics of that standard should be the
rule by which a woman is measured. Proverbs 31 tells us
the duties of a virtuous woman. One of the first duties we
learn about is for a mother to be a teacher: “The words of
king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him”
(Prov. 31:1). More specifically, verses 10ff teach us what
a virtuous woman is, implying that anything less than
these characteristics is a woman with either low moral
standards or none at all.
A virtuous woman is a woman who a man can “take
home to meet his mother.” A woman like this is priceless
(v. 10), and her husband knows this, and it is why he
made her his wife; he trusts her to be good to him all
the while they are married (v. 12). This proverb teaches
women that a virtuous woman is physically capable of
laboring, does so willingly, and who has talents and
utilizes them for the benefit of others inside and outside
of her household. Some women today have become so
comfortable with the aid of the government that looking
for work, being a help meet for a husband, and being a
spiritual role model for their children is a thing of the
past. Verses fifteen and sixteen are important to note. A
virtuous woman is a woman who gets up from her sleep
and works to provide food for her family. This is done by
laboring and earning wages from her work. Her money
does not go to waste on material things, but rather the
funds that she earned through her labor are used to make
sure her household has a home and food to eat.
When we work hard for what we have, we will
not allow anyone else to come in and destroy it by being
careless. We will be more likely to take care of our
belongings and make sure our monies are not wasted
on things that do not benefit our families or ourselves.
We will save more rather than spend more. If any of us
have known a woman who allows the government to
freely take care of her and/or her household, we know
the comfortable life she lives: when the first and fifteenth
of the month comes, the bills are paid, and a lot of times
there are shopping sprees.
A virtuous woman does not take advantage of other
people (Luke 6:28), but has an obligation to work in order
to eat (2 Thess. 3:10). If a man is not in the household
to provide for his own, it is the woman’s responsibility
to do so (1 Tim. 5:8). If a woman cannot work outside
the home, she has something she can do inside the
home. There is always work to be done. A virtuous
woman attends to the needs of her household and is not
concerned with everyone else’s personal business (Prov.
31:27). Because of the work she does inside the home,
(Continued on page 6)
April 2012
CHRISTIAN WORKER
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Work Ethic for Women, continued.
whether it be ironing her husband’s and children’s clothes
for work and school, or helping the needy, she is praised
by her husband and children (Prov. 31:28, 29). They see
her labor, understand the importance of it, and reap the
benefits of her hard work. A woman like this fears the
Lord because she attends to the responsibilities He has
given her. Her hard work inside the home is known by
those outside her home, and her working hands bring
praise upon her name (Prov. 31:30, 31).
Therefore we should learn from this that it is a sin
to take advantage unneedingly of the aid the government
provides to those who truly need it. It is a sin to purposely
avoid work when we are blessed with the physical
abilities and capabilities to do so. It is a sin to be such a
poor example to our children. Poor spiritual leadership
is what we display to our household when we become
lazy in our responsibilities. Work! For your household
depends on it.
CW
“Go to the Ant, Thou Sluggard”
Sam Willcut
The inspired wise man wrote the following sage
counsel concerning the divine work ethic:
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways,
and be wise, which having no guide, overseer
or ruler provideth her meat in the summer and
gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt
thou sleep, O sluggard When wilt thou arise out
of thy sleep Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a
little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy
poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want
as an armed man. (Prov. 6:6-11)
Such powerful lessons we may learn from such a
tiny creature. Our attitude towards work is the attitude
of our philosophy of life. Unfortunately, it seems as
if this current generation needs this lesson more than
ever. As a matter of fact, the divine principle of hard
work is the subject of constant emphasis from our past.
In Jamestown, Virginia, John Smith had to apply the
injunction from the apostle Paul, “…if any would not
work, neither should he eat” (2 Thess. 3:10) to get certain
colonial men to work. Isaac Watts wrote the first real
hymnbook in the English language in 1707 and authored
more than six hundred hymns, as well as many books.
In addition to writing the familiar hymns, “Joy to the
World” and “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” he
wrote the following moral song:
‘Tis the voice of the sluggard; I heard him complain,
“You have waked me too soon, I must slumber again.”
As the door on its hinges, so he on his bed,
Turns his sides and his shoulders and his heavy head.
The concept of “rest” conveys a wonderful blessing
from God. The break from a daily routine of labor is
good for mind, soul and body, and the Bible teaches
that rest is an important and necessary part of our lives.
For example, God wanted to teach the Israelites the
importance of rest with respect to the Sabbath Day (Ex.
20:8-11). In such, they were to work for six days, but in
an effort to teach them that life is not all about work, or
the acquisition of worldly things, they were to rest on
the seventh day. When the apostles came back to Jesus
to provide a report of all of their labors, Jesus stated,
“Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a
while” (Mark 6:31). How could we forget the wonderful
promise awaiting the faithful servant after his labors are
over From heaven, John heard and recorded, “Blessed
are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea,
saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and
their works do follow them” (Rev. 14:13). In all of these
examples, please notice that the labor comes first, and
then the rest follows. Proper rest with divine acceptance
is rest that one has earned!
However, laziness, to which the lesson from the
ant condemns, is when one places rest before labor. In
other words, the sluggard is resting when he ought to be
working; rather than his hands working, they are folding
in rest. He tries to justify his behavior, or make excuses
(Prov. 22:13), by the language that Solomon provided
(note the emphasis with the word “little”)—“a little sleep,
a little slumber, a little folding of the hands.” In other
words, all he desires is a little more rest. Nevertheless, he
is nothing more than a lazy sluggard whose self-indulgent
life leads to poverty, hunger and many more evil vices.
Why does the ant condemn laziness Just as the
ant provides for himself and the colony, the lazy person
does not provide for his family (1 Tim. 5:8). He wants
the provisions, but at the expense of another. Whether
it is the immature son or daughter, the lazy husband
(Continued on page 7)
Page 6 CHRISTIAN WORKER April 2012

“Go to the Ant...,” continued.
or the useless mother, the sin of laziness has at its root
selfishness—living on the labors of others (cf. Prov.
26:16).
Christians ought to learn this important lesson as
it affects our faithfulness. Laziness contributes to the
loss of self-respect and the esteem of others (cf. Prov.
10:5), as Solomon emphasizes with his dramatic Hebrew
poetry and comparison of a mighty worker in the animal
kingdom. Laziness not only results in poverty (Prov.
6:11; 20:13), but also in the loss of property: “I went by
the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man
void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over
with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof,
and the stone wall thereof was broken down” (Prov.
24:30-31). Thus, those who are lazy ought to come to the
same conclusion: “Then I saw, and considered it well: I
looked upon it, and received instruction” (Prov.24:32).
As the small, but mighty and powerful, ant that God
created, may we all become self-starters and accomplish
our tasks without laziness!
CW
Being a Billboard
David Lillard
You are a slave. You have no rights, no protections,
and all of law and society support the claim that
you are the property of another. One day you see
an opportunity to escape and you seize it—freedom! On
the run you meet a man. He tells you about Jesus and
teaches you about the priceless gift that God offers to
all men, even slaves. You freely obey. What a joyous
moment! You freed yourself from your shackles and
God has freed you from sin. But, before you go off to
start your new life as a new creation, the man says you
must go back to your former master. You must go back
and serve him with renewed zeal, diligence, and respect.
Would that be a bitter pill to swallow Because this story
is that of a runaway slave named Onesimus and the man
he encountered, Paul.
I’ve wondered what Onesimus must have thought
on his journey back to Philemon. Was he making the
right decision What would the other slaves think How
would Philemon react Or even on a more pragmatic
matter, should he knock on the door like a guest, or just
walk in like nothing had happened Although, I may
wonder about the how, I don’t need to wonder about
the why. Paul tells both Timothy and Titus the reason,
and no doubt told the slave Onesimus: you are a living
testimony of the Gospel.
Paul writes to these young ministers and teaches
to instruct slaves to serve their earthly masters with
respect, with loyalty, neither stealing nor back talking
(1 Tim. 6:1; Titus 2:9). In essence, if you find yourself
a slave, be the best slave your master ever had. Think
of the example of Joseph in the Old Testament serving
Potiphar and Pharaoh. But, why live so honorably in a
horrible situation So that God and His teachings will
be honored, and no slander can be leveled against the
Truth. Imagine such level of service from the perspective
of the slave owner. Do you believe that a first century
Joseph would stand out among a throng of slaves Like
a candle in a pitch black room, he would!
Fast-forward a couple thousand years and ask how
does this apply today Have you ever worked with a
person who gossiped about the manager, stole company
property, talked bad about the job and their coworkers, or
whose constant refrain was “That’s not my job” What if
after their whinny, negative tirade, they confessed to you
that they were a Christian and invited you to worship.
Would you see them as a hypocrite or ignorant, or would
you simply pause and say, “Let me think about that” and
never bring up the offer again
Although we have OSHA, minimum wages,
overtime, safety laws, and a judicial system greatly
inclined to right any perceived wrong, the purpose of
Paul’s statement to slaves still rings true to modern
ears. We are walking billboards of the Gospel message.
Whether we want to accept it or not, people will judge
God and Christianity by how we work. God knows this
and wants us to know it as well. More than that, God
wants us to do something about it—work diligently,
respectfully, and honorably. Be a modern Joseph in
your work place. As an aside, Joseph’s selfless service
was richly rewarded by Pharaoh. You may not get to
rule a kingdom, but you may get a choice parking spot.
Regardless of any riches or reward, serve your company
and manager with respect and loyalty knowing that your
work ethic, if not overtly noticed by your manager, is
noticed by God.
CW
April 2012
CHRISTIAN WORKER
Page 7

Fair Compensation for a
Job Well Done
Jim Word
Work—it is what makes our world go round.
Colossians 4:1 says; “Masters, give unto
your servants that which is just and equal;
knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.” The
servants referred to were dependent upon their masters
to give them their just reward. If you have employees
working for you, then you should pay close attention
to this passage. Christians, of all people, should be the
best employers.
When I was a teenager, I had a friend who came
from a poor family, and had to work to help support his
family. He worked every day after school, on weekends,
and in the summer, and he worked really hard. Once he
bragged that he had done so well his boss was sure to
give him a raise, he’d been working almost a year. And
when he went and asked for a raise, he was right the
man gave him one but it was only ten cents an hour;
this was an insult even back then. Deuteronomy 24:14
says; “Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is
poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of
thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates.” Do
your workers deserve to be paid for the work they do for
you Do they deserve to be paid more Do you deserve
to be paid more Luke 6:38 tells us, “Give, and it shall
be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and
shaken together, and running over, shall men give into
your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete
withal it shall be measured to you again.” After reading
this verse are you paying your workers enough And can
you afford not to do so
Today we live in a society where the tables have
been turned to some degree. I’ve heard men make
statements like “I won’t even get out of bed for less than
‘X’ amount per hour.” Really Employers often have a
difficult time finding employees with a good work ethic.
Remember the parable from Matthew chapter twenty
about the householder who went out and hired workers
early in the morning to work in his vineyard for a set
amount and they gladly agreed As the vineyard owner
continued to hire more and more workers as the day grew
on, these kept right on working; but when it came time
for them to get paid, they thought they should get more
than those who had only worked one hour. They were
angry at the vineyard owner for paying the latecomers
the same pay as they received, even though they got
exactly what they had originally agreed to for a day’s
work (Matt. 20:1-16). What do we see in this parable It
is a fair wage for those who bore the heat of the day and
an extremely generous wage for those who only worked
one hour. Did the boss pay fairly Of course he did! Now
had the scales been turned where he paid everyone one
hour’s wages even though some worked twelve hours,
then I’m sure there would have been a riot.
But what about those who fail to work or refuse to
work Unfortunately we have many people today who
have discovered that they can bilk society out of millions
of dollars each year by living off of the system. And the
more who join in on taking advantage of the system the
greater the burden that is placed upon the working class
who are supporting it by paying their fair share. Don’t
think that this goes unnoticed by God. James 5:4 says,
“Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down
your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth:
and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into
the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.” Proverbs 10:4-5 says,
“He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but
he hand of the diligent maketh rich. He that gathereth
in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest
is a son that causeth shame.” Everyone should do his
fair share of the work!
A few years ago I went to visit a company where I
had worked years ago and as we talked about the many
people I used to work with, one name came up and they
said “Oh, he won a million dollars in the lottery and quit
his job.” I responded, “Wow, where is he now” “Well
he came back a year and a half later after he spent it
all.” Proverbs 13:11 warns us, “Wealth gotten by vanity
shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour
shall increase.”
CW
Page 8 CHRISTIAN WORKER April 2012

“Beware of Covetousness”
Gabriel Rodriguez
The principle of a strong work ethic is replete within
the Scriptures. From the Garden of Eden (Gen.
2:15) to the days of the Jesus and the Apostles
(John 9:4; 2 Thess. 3:10), work was commanded and
commended (1 Thess. 4: 11-12). The result of a strong
work ethic is material blessings (Job 1:10; 31:25; 34:11,
cf. Acts 18: 1-4; 1 Cor. 4:12; Eph. 4:28). An individual
who works hard will naturally receive much fruit from
his labor (cf., Col. 3: 23-24). Solomon said, “…the hand
of the diligent maketh rich” (Prov. 10:4), “…the soul of
the diligent shall be made fat” (Prov. 13:4), and “Seest
thou a man diligent in his business He shall stand before
kings…” (Prov. 22:29). But with increased blessings
comes the challenge of maintaining a proper perspective
of material wealth, that is, wealth is a means to end and
not the end of all.
In Luke 12:13-21, Jesus cited a parable whose moral
lesson was: “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for
a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things
which he possesseth.” We learn of an industrious farmer
who had amassed great wealth. While his hard work paid
off, the fruits of his labor blinded his true perspective
of material wealth. Instead of understanding the true
purpose of wealth, (to provide for his basic necessities
and help the less fortunate, Matt. 19:21-22), the foolish
farmer greedily hoarded his possessions and arrogantly
commended the works of his hands. Yet, that very night
his life was cut short and the rhetorical question was
asked: “Then whose will those things be which you have
provided” The conclusion was: “So is he that layeth
up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God.”
Simply, since life is ephemeral (Jas. 4:14), the goal of
labor is not to emphasize the accumulation of physical
blessings, but with those blessings to “be rich in good
works, ready to give, willing to share” (1 Tim. 6:18).
With blessings comes the responsibility of sharing,
“supporting the weak” (Acts 20:35a). And as Jesus
said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts
20:35b). Why Because nothing we own will matter in
the end (Eccl. 5:15; 1 Tim. 6:7). The only thing that will
matter is how we used our blessings for God and His
work (Matt. 25:33-46).
Consider Solomon’s perspective in the
accumulation of wealth as he cites a host of problems
that come with those whose only goal is to work for
material blessings. Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 5:10-15,
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with
silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase:
this is also vanity. When goods increase, they are
increased that eat them: and what good is there
to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of
them with their eyes The sleep of a laboring man
is sweet…but the abundance of the rich will not
suffer him to sleep. There is a sore evil which I
have seen under the sun, namely riches kept for
the owners thereof to their hurt. But those riches
perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and
there is nothing in his hand. As he came forth of his
mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he
came, and shall take nothing of his labor, which
he may carry way in his hand. (emp. mine, GR)
This is why Solomon would say in Proverbs 23:4,
“Labor not to be rich….” Solomon was in a position
to know the dangers of riches, for he possessed great
wealth (1 Kings 10:14-29). In the New Testament, Paul
concurred as he stated, “But those who desire to be rich
fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish
and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and
perdition” (1 Tim. 6:9). When we become obsessed in
obtaining wealth, we often neglect the things of God
and in our case, such things as: worship, evangelism,
and benevolence (Matt. 6:24). We so focused on gaining
more in the world, that we lose sight of gaining favor
with God. Jesus said, “For what is a man profited, if he
shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul or
what shall a man give in exchange for his soul” (Matt.
16:26).
But does this mean that the fruit of my labor,
which yields me great physical success, is a sin No.
Once again, a strong work ethic naturally yields us
great material blessings (sa. 65:22). But those blessings
should never usurp what they were truly intended for.
In 1 Timothy 6:17, Paul didn’t condemn individuals for
possessing great wealth, but Paul reminded them “not to
be haughty, nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living
God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.” God’s
expectation for wealth is to be used for His glory and
honor, in evangelism and benevolence (Acts 4:32-35;
1 Cor. 9:1-14; 2 Cor. 8:1 – 9:15; Gal. 6:10; Jas. 1:27).
Remember that life is about pleasing God, not ourselves
(Phil. 1:21). Therefore, to work only to provide for our
greedy desires is to show contempt for the work of God.
God provided this world with wealth, but that wealth was
(Continued on page 10)
April 2012
CHRISTIAN WORKER
Page 9

Beware of Covetousness, continued.
to be used to help us with basic necessities of life and our
fellow man. We’re here to serve, not to be served (John
13); therefore, we would be wise to work and gain so
that we might be able to contribute to the works of God.
May God be praised!
CW
“Christ-Centered Living
Series” Study Guides
IMITATING CHRIST
Called unto Holiness
HONORING CHRIST
Calling for Godly Homes
PROCLAIMING CHRIST
Called unto Salvation
CHAMPIONING CHRIST
Called Uunto Conviction
MEETING CHRIST
Called unto Heaven
This series of books published in conjunction
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You may order from:
Southwest church of Christ
8900 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748
(512) 282-2486, E-mail: office@swcofc.org
Our Labor Will Be Judged
Troy Spradlin
Anyone who has ever held a job understands that
performance evaluation is an essential part of
job security and advancement. In order to gain
a raise or an elevation in position, someone must judge
our work as worthy of the action. Therefore, from a
worldly point of view, it is very important to do our
best. However, as Christians, we must learn to first
look at our work from a heavenly perspective. In fact,
according to the Bible, our work will be judged before
the Almighty Creator (2 Cor. 5:10; Eccl. 12:14). In other
words, everything we do, including our vocation, will be
examined on Judgment Day. From this point of view, it
becomes even more important that we do a good job in
whatever we decide to do. Furthermore, it would behoove
us to deal carefully with the type of job we procure.
We should never forget that when we become
Christians by obeying “that form of doctrine” (Rom.
6:17), we are no longer part of this world for we have
been sanctified in His blood. Every aspect of our life must
now focus on heavenly things (Col. 3:2), and must be a
result of obedience to His word (James 1:22). Why then
would we not consider our vocation when determining
how to live as a Christian Why should the workplace be
any different than any other aspect of our lives Never
should we departmentalize our lives into “church life”
and “professional life.” In reality, the workplace is yet
another opportunity to practice our Christianity. We
can use this time to allow our light to shine before men
(Matt. 5:16).
Since Jesus Christ is our perfect example (John
13:15), and Jesus Himself was a worker, we can look to
Him as our model. Have you ever thought about what
kind of worker Jesus must have been Was He perhaps
just an average worker or a high performer Did He cut
corners or pilfer from His employer Did He produce
quality work or substandard Was He trusted If we
explore this idea further, we should be able to easily
identify several characteristics in Jesus that should help
us understand what type of worker He was and how His
example can help us in the workplace.
First, Jesus was a man of integrity (Heb. 4:15;
Matt. 5:37). We can be certain that the Son of Man did
not steal from His employer, nor cut corners, or cheat a
(Continued on page 11)
Page 10 CHRISTIAN WORKER April 2012

Our Labor Will Be Judged, continued.
customer. This same behavior should translate through
our own actions in our jobs. Integrity should be seen
in how we perform our jobs and even in the type of
job that we choose. For example, how can a Christian
honestly accept a job as a bartender, knowing he will
be contributing to the sinful vices of men How can a
Christian accept a job at a casino, knowing that souls are
being put at risk of condemnation Integrity should fuel
our decisions in every aspect of work in which we may
participate. A lawyer who is a Christian should never
plead “not guilty” for a client that he knows is guilty.
A purchasing agent who is a Christian shouldn’t take
special “gifts” from suppliers in order to dishonestly
give them preference. Christ had integrity because He
knew the Father would ultimately hold Him accountable.
According to 2 Corinthians 5:10, the same principle
applies to us, for all will be exposed on that final day
of the Lord.
Another trait identifiable in Jesus is that He always
sought to do God’s will first (Matt. 26:39). Jesus knew
that man was created to glorify God and God also created
work for all of mankind. Since all of life should be a focus
on that which glorifies God, even our labor should bring
glory to Him in some form or another. Whether it be
dutifully providing for our family, or rendering services
for the economy, everything we do should be based upon
His golden rules: love Him first and love your neighbor
(Matt. 22:37-39). At work we can show our love for the
Lord by practicing the tenets of our faith (2 Pet. 1:5-9;
Gal. 5:22-23). Living as Christ would live within our
professions ultimately pleases God and may lead others
to come to know Him.
If we focus on living our lives from this heavenly
perspective, then we will be better prepared for the final
judgment. God is mostly concerned about the motives
that come from within the heart. He is not as concerned
about the quantity of our work as He is with the quality.
That is why we need to always do our very best in every
aspect of our vocation because it will, ultimately, have
eternal consequences. How will your life’s work be
viewed on that day
CW
We Serve the Lord, continued from page one.
his goods, or waste his substance. This we do “that the
name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed” (1
Tim. 6:1).
Beloved, our souls will be in jeopardy if we are
not living up to the Christian standard in the workplace,
“Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward
of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” This
comes only in “fearing God” and working “heartily,
as to the Lord.”
Our labors for our employer are to be done
“heartily,” that is, earnestly, loyally, from the heart.
This faithfulness is primarily to be done because as an
employee we “serve the Lord”; we are children of God. In
reality, an employee is doing the will of God by serving
his earthly employer. God requires this kind of sincere
and faithful obedience.
Our efforts are to be carried out “in singleness
of your heart, as unto Christ.” We must in “all things”
work with genuineness and integrity. “Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt.
5:16).
So how do we apply these inspired principles in
our daily lives Christians are required by God to put in
an honest day’s work for an honest day’s wage. Children
of God must be prompt and honest in all their labors.
Saints of God must do their best in all they attempt.
Colossians 3:22-24 and Ephesians 6:5-7 set the
foundation for our work ethic: Christ is our final and
ultimate boss, “Knowing that whatsoever good thing
any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.”
This is the Law of the Harvest: “Let him that is taught
in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all
good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for
whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal.
6:6-7). Such being true let us faithfully serve the Lord
in all our labors.
CW
April 2012
CHRISTIAN WORKER
Page 11

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