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Closing
Our goal is to merge God's word into our life to the point where God's word becomes our life. We want a life that promotes us as trustworthy and profitable servants. As servants, we want to handle our talents wisely. We want our life to be eye-catching and distinguished by God's love.
In the previous chapters, we looked at individual principles. Now, we want to look at using these principles in unison. Each of the areas are helpful, even if practiced by themselves. We want to combine these principles to maximize the blessings to others in the workplace.
Let us commit ourselves to living these principles and to walk with the Lord. Let our lives be pleasing both to our Father and man. Let us be at peace with our enemies and bless them.
We can learn the ways of our Lord, but His ways only guide us if they become our daily life. God's word shines light on His path for us. We should walk toward His light. Knowing God's Word is the first step in living God's Word. The living of God's Word brings the Spirit of the Lord into every moment of our lives.
"Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Proverbs 4:14-18
In the book of Romans, we find explanation to help us understand our position in Christ. When in Christ, everything must pass through Him before it reaches us. These scriptures verify that we, humans, are seldom in control of our destinies. The Lord, however, is always in control of our destinies. He rules from His throne because He is God.
The key to our success is knowing this in our hearts. All elements in heaven and earth are subject to His Word. When the poor and needy are overtaken by misfortune, do they question His control or His authority?
Everyone endures troubling times. You have had your share, and will have more of them. Living a life of serenity would be a blessing, or would it? As sheep need a balanced diet, we also need roughage to supplement tender grazing.
"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:29-39
Are you angered when someone does you wrong, particularly, when your motives were right before God? Does your anger make you want to take matters into your own hands? Doing so is assuming God's work. Will you choose to sit in the place of judgment and sentencing? Will you choose to set the stage in your own quest for vengeance? Will you step into the role of judge and forsake the role of servant? Vengeance is the Lord's. Rely on His work. Trust in Christ's wisdom.
To trust in Christ's wisdom, you must rid your house of creeping vines. Holiness has no place with sins. If you harbor evil thoughts in your heart, you have not trusted the Lord to avenge you. However, when God does avenge you, stand not against the Lord by asking Him to stay His wrath. Abraham and Moses tried, but to no avail. When the Lord begins to make things right, you stay out of His way.
After Lot was out of Sodom, the Lord destroyed the inhabitants of the cities. Lot knew that his enemies, friends, and married daughters would die. The two angles, therefore, prevented him from running back into Sodom.
"Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him." Proverbs 24:17-18
Try to understand what I just said to you. Friend, you are to give place to God's wrath. You are to step aside. Let His wrath fall as He wills. Even though you are to befriend all, the Lord never commanded you to protect anyone from Him. You have no need to repent over God's judgement, but woe if you have pleasure in God's wrath. God is not mocked. As a man sows, he also reaps. For your sake, do the will of God. Then, with your mouth shut, stand on His word.
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Galatians 6:1
Do you understand how that following the ways of our Lord will bring you peace with men? While others may speak evil of you, in your eyes, you will only have friends. It is easy for us to help friends with whatever they need. Slowly read the next two sets of scriptures. Look for your place in God's plan. See how He committed Himself to protect you and to care for you.
"If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee." Proverbs 25:21-22
"Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:17-21
The Lord raised up Solomon, son of David, to govern Israel. God made Solomon the wisest of all the kings, before and after him. When Solomon died, his son, Rehoboam, took the throne. There was turmoil in Israel because the people were unsure of their new king. For gain, rebels wanted to take advantage of the situation. To do this, they had to know how Rehoboam intended to rule them.
The Lord recorded the people's sharp request in the following scripture. Look at how the people complained about their work load. Notice how they saw Solomon's administration of government over their lives. They wanted less work for the same pay. Does this sound familiar to you? Harshness and greed bring contention.
We still act the same way, both management and labor. We try to get something for nothing. Such action is human nature, not God's nature. We have our own gain and leisure on our minds, instead of the needs of others. We dwell on ourselves, not Christ. We receive our deserved reward just as the people in these scriptures did. Look at what the Israelites said to Rehoboam.
"Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke us, lighter, and we will serve thee." I Kings 12:4
Rehoboam told them he would give an answer in three days. Seeking advice, Rehoboam called his elders together to hear them on the matter. They told Rehoboam to serve the people. Rejecting their words, Rehoboam followed the advice of his young friends. His friends grew up with him and shared similar experiences and values. He listened to foolish advice.
"And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him: And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter? And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions." I Kings 12:6-11
These people had grown accustomed to prosperity. Living in the wealth of Israel, they had forgotten the lives of their fathers. They failed to realize that wealth could vanish as the morning mist. Their thinking was cloudy. They remained in spiritual blindness just as the servant with the buried talent. Jesus confirmed man's spiritual blindness when He spoke to the woman at Jacob's well (John 4:6-26).
The Bible says that in Jerusalem silver was as stones. This means silver was plentiful. Therefore, it was worthless. By television, you must know how rocky the land is in Jerusalem. Read about the wealth of Israel when Rehoboam took his throne over Judah. No one lacked for basics, or at least, that is the way I read it.
"And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart. And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, harness, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year. And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. And he reigned over all the kings from the river even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt. And the king made silver in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the low plains in abundance." II Chronicles 9:23-27
After the misguided populous told Rehoboam that his father had been tough on them, look at how he answered them. A fight always takes two. This holds true at work, at home, at church, or anywhere else. Never return harsh words for harsh words. Harshness brings forth harshness; it brings only trouble to your life. Christ said for us to love our enemies.
"And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook x council of the old men, And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat." II Chronicles 10:13-15
Rehoboam lacked the wisdom of his father, Solomon. Where there is no wisdom everyone fails. Wisdom is the fear of God. No doubt, there was a lack of wisdom in this situation, and all parties reaped according to their decisions and words. Israel rebelled against the throne of David; therefore, Judah was the extent of Rehoboam's kingdom. Because of his mouth, Rehoboam ruled only a tenth of his father's kingdom.
"And the house of Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day." II Chronicles 10:19
Wrong choices are testimonies to our unenlightened souls. We, same as Israel, have latitude in our decisions. Because of the latitude, we reap the outcome. This applies to all decisions. A portion of our choices are irreversible.
Have you made wrong choices? The impact of a wrong choice can linger. The outcome can abide with us and affect our unsuspecting children. The consequences of war or peace are noted in history books and passed from generation to generation. We carry the honor or shame of our decisions and pass it on to our children.
A victim remains injured even if the abuser repents. Though it may seem so, no one escapes judgement. The abuser pays throughout his life. From day to day, in his mind, his past actions trouble his thoughts. Mentally, the events of wrong choices replay when least expected, year after year.
Though we are forgiven by Christ when we repent, mental videos may surface in our minds for the rest of our lives. Our deeds replay over and over on the screens of our minds. The story is retold from person to person. It confronts us when least expected. As cutting scars the body, so evil deeds scar the soul.
We have the ability to forgive others. Only Christ can never remember sins. In Heaven, we shall have this same blessed ability. For now, walk with Christ; care for your soul.
"And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." Jeremiah 31:34
When we take a spouse, we bear the outcome. If we divorce our spouse, we bear the outcome. Marital relations are major decisions. What about lesser choices? Do you remember how to choose correctly? We bear the chains of a wrong choice. We live freely for right choices. God's word stands.
Recorded in the Bible, David did all the Lord said except in the murder of Uriah. It also says that David was a man after God's own heart. Nevertheless, the Lord judged or chastened David for his immoral deeds. David had all that any man could want. Wanting more, David tried to warm his cold heart by fleshly means.
David's pride lead to conceit. The conceit lead to adultery. His adultery lead to murder. His sinfulness lead to the Lord's correction. In keeping His word, the Lord sent prophetic word to David; it declared his pending chastisement. The Lord sent Nathan, a prophet, to help David in his time of need.
"And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel. I anointed thee king over the Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives unto thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of sun. For thou didst it secretly; but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die." II Samuel 12:7-14
As a result of Israel's leadership and labor, the people had more than they could possibly use. David had more than he knew, yet even with the blessings, Israel and David still complained because they wanted different.
Satisfaction eludes man. Three conditions man wants: different, better, and more. In man's heart, these three compose a never-ending cycle. This cycle continues until Christ intervenes. Jesus alone satisfies.
When people become accustomed to what they have, they start looking for something different. For example, it could be a different job or a different car. No matter how man justifies his thoughts or actions, man wants different. It might be a different job, a different relationship, or a different toy. First, man wants different. When he has the different item, he quickly becomes dissatisfied. At this point, he moves on to getting better. No longer satisfied with a second shift job, he now wants a first shift job to have better. When he has better, he desires move on to more. Now, he wants to have more money, more time to spend it, more luxury in his office, and many other benefits that add to the more.
Man is always looking for contentment in what he does. He measures his success in more. When more no longer satisfies, he starts the cycle over again with different. Man leads such a tiring life.
Are you caught on this same treadmill? Let Jesus Christ be your satisfaction. Obey His commandments. Friend, let the Lord be God. You will have contentment wherever you find yourself.
As you saw in the scriptures, both Israel and Rehoboam reaped the results of their decisions. The outcome stands even to this day. Be careful with your decisions. Most wrong choices can be overcome. The balance cannot. Most of your improper actions in the workplace will result in rejection. Step too far over the line, and you will know the sadness of termination.
Accept the supervisor our Lord has placed over you. Try to believe that your supervisor is there for your good. Diligently work in your service. Let God take care of you.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
The law of God never saved any one from anything. God's law is a cost-benefit system. Do the law and reap the benefits; break His law and reap chastisement. The commandments of God are road signs to keep us from making wrong choices. They are given to point us along the right path that delivers us from harms way.
As you know, grace is forgiveness through Jesus Christ. He alone saves. The Lord's salvation did not void these commandments: love the Lord thy God and love your neighbor as yourself. Do not deceive yourself by thinking you can break His commandments and get away with it. When our decisions are contrary to His commandments, we reap the rewards of those decisions. We have already talked about this truth.
In your daily life, be careful with your words. I cannot stress strongly enough the importance of controlling your tongue in the workplace. Three thousand years have past since Rehoboam spoke roughly to Israel. Israel still rebels against the house of David. How long can our wrong words stand as testimony against us? How many people will our words influence? How many years will it take to overcome one dimwitted moment? Friend, please be careful with your words.
Remember this point, you cannot get ahead of God. You can neither out think or out do Him. If you try, you set yourself up as a god. You know what happens then. Of all the teachers of God's word, Gamaliel was one of the noblest. Look at what Gamaliel said about fighting against God. The word haply is an archaic word that means, it should never have occurred or God Forbid.
"And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." Acts 5:38-39
We need to look at the time when Jesus Christ was taken before Pilate. This was a special time in Christ's life. See what Jesus said about Pilate's power. At that time, Pilate had power over Jesus, a man. Christ recognized this and stated so. Still, Jesus remained subjective and sinless before God. Jesus knew our Father had given power to Pilate. It was given over Jesus only to fulfill God's will. Jesus would not stand against our Father's will. Jesus always fulfilled the scriptures. Glory be to God for Christ.
"Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin." John 19:10-11
In your profession, your supervisor expects you to work diligently. In your service, the Lord also expects you to work diligently. Do not expect reward when you work like a sluggish snail. Do whatever asked in Christ's name, and do it with your whole heart. Do you remember what we talked about earlier in this book concerning diligence?
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." Ecclesiastes 9:10
"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." Colossians 3:17
Many times in the work place, we ask ourselves why were these people placed over us? Sometimes, it is obvious to "wise ones" that another person could do a better job, and not be such a headache. Well, the Lord has a plan. We all fit into His plan. Even the ungodly have a role to play in the will of God.
The apostle Paul wrote that everyone was to be subject to the power of God. The Lord has all power. Therefore, nothing is done that Christ has not already considered. Remember, His wisdom is superior to ours. When you stand against God-given power, you stand against Christ. This stands true because our Lord has ordained that these powers be over us for our good.
Careful, a great difference exists between power and principle. Think about these two. Even in the workplace, those ruling over us are there by the hand of God. If we resist the work of God, we resist Him and His Spirit. When we resist, we will under go chastisement or correction to get us to follow His direction. Paul uses the word damnation to express this fact. It means to bring destruction to the one resisting our Lord's will.
Supervisors or rulers do not become a terror to those doing well on the job. Rulers do become a terror to those doing poorly on the job. To get the attention of a wayward person, they may use either verbal or written reprimands. Their goal is to point the employee in the right direction. They unknowingly watch over for the employee's soul. If these tools do not get the desired results, termination is the only option left; he will be cast out. The employee will get exactly what he had coming. He or you will have just reward.
In the next scripture, notice that bosses are to be God's ministers. No! They are not the selected tools of Satan. They have been set over us to bless us when we do good and to bring a sword against us when we do evil. Do not forget, everyone has someone ruling over him. Everyone answers to someone.
"Let every soul be subject unto higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." Romans 13:1-4
Did you know the Bible even spoke about us needing bosses? Did you know that our Lord put them over us? Now, you do. Perhaps when you get to work in the morning, you will have more light with which to see. In time, you may even learn to like your boss. Primarily, he is there for your good and for your well being, despite what you might think.
We have something that needs clarifying before we go into the next topic. When you decide to go forth and up to serve, know that it is the will of God before you start. Do not be foolish in your zeal to serve. Wisdom always stands above zeal.
When you do the will of the Lord, your every step, your every thought, and your every word must be at His command, not yours. Sorry, you cannot serve God with your life. Your life is the same as mammon. Mammon is utter filth when compared with the Holiness of Christ. You must serve in His life. Give up your life for His.
"Then he said to his disciples. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." Matthew 16:24-25
How will we know when we have favor in a situation? How do we know when to proceed and when to wait? We need to know whether or not we have favor with a person before we decide if it is God's will. If we find no favor, we have no reason to press on in our task. Such persistence will come to nothing.
No need to serve people when they reject our labor in the faith. They will have no appreciation of the glory of God, and especially, not for you. If a person needs you to help him pull his load, by all means, get in the harness and pull with him. If, however, you are the only one pulling his load, drop the harness and go your way. You have your own load to pull.
"Give not that which is holy unto dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." Matthew 7:6
"And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city." Mark 6:11
Abraham sent his servant, Eliezer, to get a wife for his son, Isaac. The servant was not given her name or a description of the woman. Elieser was to find her by the Spirit of God. With confidence in the Lord leading him, Eliezer went forth. Eliezer knew how to test for the presence of favor. He knew to start by prayer and by believing that God would bring results.
As you read the account in the Bible, notice that the prospective wife also was a true servant; she, too, went the extra mile. She asked for nothing from Elieser. She gave to him with only gladness in her heart. This chronicle is a picture of the Holy Spirit obtaining the bride for our Lord, Jesus Christ.
"And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master. And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that behold Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nabor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder." Genesis 24:12-15
We have ways to check for favor in the workplace. When we start to speak and others interrupt, we have no favor with them at that time. When people cruelly reject our ideas, we found no favor in their eyes. When asked about a subject and people receive our words, we have favor. Allow your heart to find the right tests for you. If you do not have favor, do not pursue the issue.
Another element in testing for favor is timing. Timing is a critical factor. You can have favor, but not be able to enjoy it at the time. You may not have favor with certain men now, but the same men may favor you later.
If your boss is busy or preoccupied, you will only annoy him further if you interrupt. Wait until you have his attention. Zeal and brashness darken wisdom. Companies say they want aggressiveness in a leader; they prefer foresight and wisdom. Good ideas will endure the test of time. Be patient and trust Christ.
"He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he." Proverbs 16:20
Many servants are noted in the Bible. In their work, they used favor to glorify God. Notice, when they did, the servants went up. If you open the Bible to the book of Acts and read, you will find the apostles had favor with man and God. Their favor also included the beatings they suffered and even their deaths in their service to our Lord, Jesus Christ. We have many ways to use our talents in the workplace. Together, you and the Lord must find the best path for you. Without His guidance, you will never profit.
"Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fasting his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us, And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk, And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God." Acts 3:1-8
In the next scriptures, Jesus went up into the mountain. While He was there, expecting people came to hear His words. When folks could, they brought and laid others at His feet. They were expecting. Therefore, Jesus healed them all, no exception.
You need to learn this principle. When a servant chooses to lift his talents and put them to use, the Lord will bring others to receive from that servant, while He openly blesses the servant.
Look closely at how Christ went up into the mountain and sat down. He did not struggle, fight or toil. He was simply willing to do the work the Lord gave Him. Jesus Christ is The Servant.
"And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and he went up into a mountain, and sat down there. And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them: Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified God of Israel." Matthew 15:29-31
We talked about the rewards that God gives to His servants. Now, I would like to show you the ways those rewards benefit others. A good example of this is David's favor to his three mighty men. Most of the story is in the next verses. I would advise you to read the entire account.
These are the names of the three mighty men: Adino, Eleazar and Shammah. Because of their outstanding feats, all three of them had great credits to their names. Among men, they stood tall. As you read the scriptures, a certain question recurs. As the account tells about the deeds of the other men also serving David, the question is this: why did these other men not attain to the same level as the first three? Any one of David's men would have given his life for David. In other words, why were the first three men favored more than the rest? The answer is not given directly, yet it will be evident as you read the account. Therefore, if you ponder the question, you will have the answer.
I need to point out that when the Bible speaks of a man going down, it refers to him going away from God. In this case, however, David was down and not the three men going to see him. David was in need. He longed for a drink of water from a specific well. The scriptures present a beautiful picture of Christ and the water He gives to our souls.
David received what he wanted and more. His men brought and gave the container of water to David. His heart broke. At that time, David received water from the well of Christ. Jesus Christ satisfied David's lonely thirst. David's heart was right before God. Now, read this account about the work of God and of His servants in David's life.
"These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred whom he slay at one time. And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil. And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines. But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory. And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto a cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim. And David was then in a hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me a drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD. And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men. And Abishai the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among them. Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three. And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the mist of a pit in the time of snow: And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear. These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men. He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard." II Samuel 23:8-23
You may think it wrong to favor one person more than another. If so, you do not yet understand the concept of favor with God. Jesus Christ favored three of His disciples more than the rest. Their names were Peter, James and John. Christ took these three with Him when He went up on the mountain. There, He transfigured when He spoke to Moses and Elijah. Christ left the rest of His disciples down the mountain. When Jesus went to the garden to pray, He left all His disciples except Peter, James and John. They went farther with Him. After a ways, Jesus left them and went on by Himself to where they could not go.
Our Father favors His Son more than any of His children. You know that. A difference does exist between favoring a person and having respect of a person. Try to understand this. A respecter of persons will figuratively do back-flips to catch the eye of another. You have seen them in the workplace: a man and a woman, an employee and the owner, a salesman and a customer. The flattery and exaggerations of a respecter of persons are pure idolatry.
When we favor a person in the workplace, we bless them with guidance, honor, and truth, which includes admonishment. For their good, we might even be coarse and angry with them. Favoring a person is like the way we deal with our children; we love them. In the name of our love toward our children, we do what is best for them. We intend for our children to prosper, and so it is when we favor someone.
We need to spend time understanding God's law and God's directions. God's law is for everyone; He recorded His commandments in the Bible. They tell us how we should behave and how we should interact with other people. God's directions have a personal approach. They are for individuals. However, when the word of the Lord came to a person in the Bible, it meant that it was specifically for that person. The same applies today. God has not changed.
Most people deceive themselves by thinking God tells a person to do something and then sits and waits to see if they do it. After a while, if the person does not do what God said, He simply gets someone else to carry out His will.
This kind of thinking proclaims the Lord is not God. Do not allow yourself to be deceived. The Lord is God. That means exactly what it says. God is Almighty. When He gives someone a task, He also gives them the incentive to do it.
The Lord has the ability to get and hold every person's attention. God Almighty knows how to deal with both submissiveness and rebellion. Everything is in His hands to do with as He chooses. He has the means to motivate you to do whatever He tells you to do.
Too many times people say the Lord told them to do a thing, followed by this statement: "but I have not done it." Who told them to do it? Who are they kidding? In their own vanity, they deceived themselves by thinking themselves to be a god. Only the Lord has all wisdom. Only the Lord is all knowing. Only the Lord is everywhere. When Christ tells you to do something, you will do it. You will have no question about it, because He does it through you.
Many accept that by his actions, Jonah said no to the Lord. Our Lord, having foreknowledge, knew what Jonah would do before Jonah heard from Him. The Lord had already prepared Jonah and the fish to do exactly what God wanted. Jonah knew that God had the ability to persuade him. The Lord came to Jonah when he was in a down condition. God wanted Jonah to awaken. Now and then, we all need stirring to keep us from getting lumpy.
When Jonah ran, notice how many times he went down. When he arrived in Joppa, do you think it was a coincidence that a ship was ready to go to Tarshish? Loading a ship with cargo took several days. You know the story. The Lord not only got his attention but, in doing so, He prepared Jonah in spirit, word, and body to do the Lord's work. Jonah thought the Lord would let him flee. Jonah learned the hard way about the Lord.
After his preparation, Jonah went to Nineveh and preached. The whole city repented. The Lord did all his work; Jonah only resisted until his heart was right. If Jonah was not the man for the job, why did God choose him? When you select a person to do a job, make sure he does it.
"Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD." Jonah 1:1-3
You know the story about the apostle Paul. You also know about the work that was given to him. Before he was Paul, he was Saul. Saul studied under Gamaliel and was zealous to do the law of Moses. Saul did the letter of the law, yet he knew nothing of the Spirit of God. In the name of the law, Saul enjoyed killing Christians, and even sanctioned the murder of Stephen. Saul wanted to rid Israel of the Christian pestilence. Saul did all these ungodly things in the name of the God of Israel. Now, read what happened when Christ got Saul's attention. See if there was any possibility of Saul saying no to God's command.
"And Saul, yet breathing out threatings and slaughter against the disciples of the LORD, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journed, he came near Damascus: suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou LORD? And the LORD said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, LORD what wilt thou have me to do? And the LORD said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." Acts 9:1-6
At times, the Lord does His own will with His own hand. He does it with no help from His servants, and He does not ask for permission from anyone. This account is one of these times. Christ decided to heal a blind man. To me, Jesus did it in a strange way, but the clay is the potter's to mold. Does the vessel question the potter's design?
Jesus spit on the ground and made mud. He then went over to a blind man and wiped the mud on the man's eyes. I wonder how much the man struggled to protect his eyes? It is bad enough to have someone spit in your face. Worse yet is to have a nasty mud-pack smeared in your eyes, and by a stranger at that. The blind man never asked for or expected the abuse. How do you think he felt?
Afterwards, Jesus told the man to go wash in a specific pool of water. Jesus did not tell the man that he would see. We are quick to follow instructions when we expect something. This man, however, only wanted to wash the filth from his eyes. When he did as instructed, he gained his sight.
This work was the judgment of Christ. It shows the work of God, both in the man and the healing. We cannot fully explain many of the happenings that are recorded in the Bible. I think these unexplained events are to manifest the works of God. These include blindness from birth. Man is still trying to cast God into man's mold.
"And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing." John 9:1-7
Read what happened to the man after he could see. Keep in mind, the man had not yet laid eyes on Christ. He did not know who had put the mud on his eyes or told him to wash in the pool of Siloam. All he knew was that he could see. He did not know how or why. You should open your Bible and read the entire account.
Later in the day, Jesus went by Himself to find the man, now able to see. Christ found His lost sheep. They were alone, just the two of them. It was then that the man saw Jesus for the first time. He called Jesus, Lord, before he said he believed. Jesus confirmed his statement. Jesus finds all His lost sheep, sets the circumstances, and opens their eyes.
"And Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him." John 9:35-38
The Lord possessed His Word long before He created the heavens, the world, earthen vessels, or our souls. His word produced laws and principles by which we should work and prosper in the workplace. God wrote His truths in the heart of every one of us. He left no excuse for our rejection of His ways. We know His ways by the law written in our hearts and by the things that we see around us. In all we do, we have two witnesses either for us or against us.
"For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." Romans 2:14-16
Throughout this book, we learned about understanding the why and how we should work for both God and man. We should know His Word in our hearts or, at least, in our minds. We should follow the teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Our Lord will bless His Word. We, as individuals, will receive His blessings.
The intent of this book was to teach you how to be successful in the workplace. As we learned, real success comes through our spiritual abilities. Our success is dependent on our spiritual growth. If you truthfully answered the questions at the end of each chapter, this book was a tool in that growth.
This book was about becoming a success in the eyes of God and man. As stated, all the information shared in it is in the Bible. As you learn each principle in your heart, it will direct you to use your talents in the workplace. The Lord gave them to you, so employ them, and expand your grace.
The Lord neither changes nor deviates from His ways. He is without exception when it comes to keeping all His spoken and written word. The Word of God is Jesus Christ. As His grace, His Word stands eternal.
No position is a position; there is no neutral ground. Your indifference to God's ways will cause you loss in the workplace. When you neglect God's ways, your actions say that your ways are best. Today, this attitude increases in almost all our workplaces. We, as servants, must reverse this condition by first turning ourselves and, then, turn others toward God. Since you read this far, be sure to read the last words.
The LORD Is GOD Even At Work in you.
The End
Copyright © 1995 by Wayne Fine, all rights reserved.
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