Module 404 F
THE BIBLICAL BASIS FOR WORK, CALLING AND CAREERS CAREER DECISIONS
CROWN FINANCIAL MINISTRIES
Crown Financial Copyright © 2007
THE QUESTION
What is your attitude about career decisions?
Crown Financial Copyright Š 2007
'When Two Worlds Collide' Dr. David Drullinger Cedarville University
WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME...?
WHAT'S IN IT FOR GOD...?
TEMPORAL PERSONAL GRATIFICATION
ETERNAL GOD-HONORING OBEDIENT
The world's definition of • Physical or mental effort or activity directed toward the production or accomplishment of something; to labor or toil; • Employment… a job; • The means by which one earns one's livelihood; • Something that one is doing, making, or performing especially as a part of one's occupation —— duty or task.
1 John 2:16
LUST OF THE
FLESH: What I WANT is most important
ETERNAL GOD-HONORING OBEDIENT
1 John 2:16
LUST OF THE
EYES: What I SEE is most important
ETERNAL GOD-HONORING OBEDIENT
1 John 2:16
THE PRIDE OF
LIFE: What I OWN is most important
ETERNAL GOD-HONORING OBEDIENT
JESUS SAID: "If any man would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me."
Luke 9:23
“A person's vocation or calling is a certain kind of life ordained by God and imposed on man for the common good.”
– William Perkins Puritan theologian
Principle
ALL WORK HAS MEANING AND DIGNITY
THE BIBLICAL BASIS FOR WORK
PRINCIPLE TWO
WORK HAS MEANING AND DIGNITY •"The work of monks and priests, in God's sight, is in no way superior to the work of a farmer laboring in the field or of a woman looking after her home.“— Martin Luther
WORK HAS MEANING AND DIGNITY If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or as Beethoven composed music. He should sweep streets "Here so well that all the lived host of heaven and a great sweeper earth will pause who did his job and say, well.� Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Principle
GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EACH LIFE
THE BIBLICAL BASIS FOR WORK
PRINCIPLE THREE
GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EACH LIFE • "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 • He has created each one of us for a special purpose.
GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EACH LIFE • The entire CAREER DIRECT ™ Guidance System is rooted in the belief that we were not created randomly. • God created you with a divine and eternal purpose. • Your work is an essential part of God's plan.
God has a PLAN for each life...
God is the General, appointing to every man his peculiar calling... God himself is the author and beginning of callings.� – Richard Steele Puritan
GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EACH LIFE • "A man's steps are directed by the Lord. How can anyone understand his own way?" Proverbs 20:24
GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EACH LIFE • "For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb... I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:13-14
GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EACH LIFE • An important part of God's plan for us includes WORK. • So we can do this work that God has prepared for us, He created us individually with certain gifts, strengths, abilities, interests, personalities
GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EACH LIFE • "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." Romans 11:29 • "What are your skills? • What do you really enjoy? • What would you get up on Monday morning for? • These issues are in the realm of nature.“ Michael Horton, Publisher New Reformation Magazine
Principle
OUR WORK IS A STAGE FOR MINISTRY AND WITNESS
THE BIBLICAL BASIS FOR WORK
PRINCIPLE FOUR
WORK IS A STAGE FOR MINISTRY AND WITNESS • WHAT DOES GOD WANT TO ACCOMPLISH THROUGH YOUR WORK? • “The problem with the rat race is that, even if you win, you’re still a rat.” - Will Rogers
WORK IS A STAGE FOR MINISTRY AND WITNESS • WHAT DOES GOD WANT TO ACCOMPLISH THROUGH YOUR WORK? • Ask yourself: "Are you pursuing your success or God's plan?"
WORK IS A STAGE FOR MINISTRY AND WITNESS • WHAT DOES GOD WANT TO ACCOMPLISH THROUGH YOUR WORK? • Ask yourself:
WORK IS A STAGE FOR MINISTRY AND WITNESS • THE KEY IS LEARNING TO BLOOM WHERE GOD PLANTS YOU! • "...spreading everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ. To God, we are the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.“ 2 Corinthians 2:14–15
Principle
CHRISTIANS ARE TO BE EXCELLENT IN THEIR WORK
THE BIBLICAL BASIS FOR WORK
PRINCIPLE FIVE
CHRISTIANS ARE TO BE EXCELLENT ….
GOD BLESSES EVERY PERSON WITH SPECIAL RESOURCES TO FULFILL HIS PURPOSE. "And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them accordingly." Romans 12:6
WHEN WORK GOES WRONG...
WHEN WORK GOES WRONG... Sometimes, God uses our work to: •Reveal areas of pride or sin • Help us learn humility • Give us spiritual insight • Redirect our path • Increase our reliance on Him • Srengthen our skills Accomplish His purposes in us.
GOD IS THE FINAL AUTHORITY
...so we need to dedicate our work to God and depend on Him to give us the strength and resources to do each job.
GOD IS THE FINAL AUTHORITY •Don't waste your God-given gifts, talents, interests, and abilities. •Don't gamble away your future. •Don't work beneath your capabilities.