Sunday Sermons

The Will of God - Part 6

Mark Dunagan
05/12/02 - Sunday Evening

The Will of God

The Christian and a Vocation

“If men and women of antiquity could somehow be transported through time to our present era and culture, they would probably be dumbfounded by the number of kinds of choices that are granted to individuals in our society. Sons usually took up the occupation of their fathers, working the land or using the tools that were passed along from one generation to another” (Friesen p. 335). When people look at the Bible heroes in the Old Testament, sometimes they are saddened and feel somehow cheated that while God spoke to Abraham, Moses, Noah, or David, and told them something specific to do, God has not similarly spoken to us. In some cases God told a man what to do for a vocation, and typically this involved a man being a prophet, judge, or king, yet many of the heroes in the Bible were never told what to do for an occupation. While Paul was selected to be an apostle(Acts 22:14-15), Paul was not given a precise secular vocation. At times he supported himself financially with a skill that he already had (Acts 18:3). I believe that often people completely miss the point that today we probably have more divine revelation that Noah, Moses, or Abraham had, for we have the entire Word of God in written form and in that word we have what the heroes in the past were given (Romans 15:4) plus specific commands, applications, and principles that give us everything we need to serve God in a pleasing manner (2 Peter 1:3; John 16:13; Jude 3). In many cases, like Paul said to the Thessalonians, “you have no need for anyone to write to you” (1 Thessalonians 4:9), we have no need for God to speak directly to us today, for He has already given us the answers in the Scriptures.

The Christian and Work

At times people might feel that God has not given them enough information in the Bible to decide upon a vocation, yet a simple reading of the Scriptures actually reveals a tremendous amount of information:

The Christian is commanded to work (2 Thessalonians 3:10-11).

One is obligated to provide for his own family (1 Timothy 5:8).

The job that we select must be lawful and honest (Ephesians 4:28).

We are to work with enthusiasm and diligence (Ephesians 6:6; Colossians 3:23), reverence and devotion to Christ (Colossians 3:22-23), good will (Ephesians 6:7), discipline (2 Thessalonians 3:11), quietness (1 Thessalonians 3:12), cooperation (Titus 2:9), honesty (Titus 2:10), efficiency (Ephesians 5:16), and gratitude (Colossians 3:17).

In the exercise of his employment, the Christian should make it his goal to:

Earn his food (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

To provide adequately for those of his own family (1 Timothy 5:8).

To behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).

To earn enough to meet his own needs and have some left over to contribute to the needs of others (Ephesians 4:28).

To adorn the doctrine of God in every respect (Titus 2:10).

In relationship to an employer, the Christian worker must be:

Submissive and obedient, as unto the Lord (Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:22).

Must work as hard when no one is watching as he does under direct supervision (Ephesians 6:6). He must regard his employer as worthy of all honor (1 Timothy 6:1), and show respect to supervisors who are unreasonable (1 Peter 2:18). He must not take advantage of an employer who is also a Christian, but rather serve him all the more out of love (1 Timothy 6:2).

In his relationship with his employees or staff, the Christian boss:

Must not abuse his workers (Ephesians 6:9), must treat his employees with justice and fairness (Colossians 4:1), must apply the golden rule, treating his workers as he would wish to be treated (Ephesians 6:9), and he must be fair and prompt in the payment of wages (James 5:4).

A Specific Occupation?

The Bible does not teach that there is a specific occupation that God desires one enter. First, the occupations for God’s people in both testaments is generic, and is left to the individual, “Whatever your hands finds to do” (Ecclesiastes 9:10); “let him labor, performing with his own hands what is good” (Ephesians 4:28); “and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands” (1 Thessalonians 4:11). The work that the Christian does to make a living is always left unspecified. Secondly, in the first century there were many Christians who were slaves, whose secular employment had already been decided by someone else, yet God said that one could serve Him whether slave or free (1 Corinthians 7:21 “Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that”). Notice the statement, “do not worry about it”. It appears that Christians then, as now, some times become focused more on the ideal job or what one should do, rather than realizing that one can serve God in all sorts of situations. That being a faithful Christian and keeping the commands of God is a far more important consideration than what one does for a living (1 Corinthians 7:19). God does not tell us specifically what to do, but God tells us how we are to behave ourselves in every lawful occupation or position that exists on this earth. Even more importantly than “What will I do for living?” is, “How can I best serve the Lord through my life’s work?”

“One’s choice of occupation, then, is to be made on the same basis as every other decision within the revealed will of God. The question the believer should ask as he avails himself of God’s guidance is: Given my aptitudes, abilities, gifts, desires, and opportunities, which vocation would offer the greatest potential for my service to the Lord?” (Friesen p. 338).

Selecting an Occupation and Prayer

God does tell us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and God promises wisdom for those who ask Him, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). It is important to note what the Holy Spirit is not promising in the above verse: “James is not promising, for instance, that God will give instant omniscience to the supplicant. Nor is he suggesting that wisdom is divinely injected ‘intravenously’ apart from a regular diet of God’s revealed wisdom, the Bible (see Psalm 119:97-105; Hebrews 5:14). The trials of real life are not like those portrayed in a television drama where hopelessly complex problems are unraveled and resolved one hour and ten commercials later” (Friesen p. 195). Other passages reveal more about this promise of wisdom: 1. I must have a deep respect for God and His word (Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. 2. I need to be humbly aware of my own limited human understanding, and dependant upon God for all my blessings (Proverbs 11:2 “With the humble is wisdom”; 15:33). 3. I must expend some effort and seek for wisdom (Proverbs 2:4-5). 4. I need to be teachable,“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser” (Proverbs 9:9; 15:31; 19:20). This includes not only listening to the Bible, but also listening to the counsel of the aged godly men and women. 5. I must live in purity, “He stores up sound wisdom for the upright” (Proverbs 2:7). 6. I must have faith that God is the source of all true wisdom and that God will answer our prayers (James 1:5-8).

I would add that wisdom means being able to see things from God’s perspective, and looking at life from the standpoint of eternity. In the context James 1:5 seems to be related to 1:2-4. So the reader might be expected to ask, “How can I develop the proper perspective toward my trials?” James replies, “Ask God for wisdom”.

Help for Making Wise Decisions

Go to God’s instruction in the Word of God (Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

We are instructed to research, gathering all the information (Nehemiah 2:11-16; Luke 14:28-32), and turning to wise counsel(Proverbs 11:14; 13:20; 15:22).

Friesen notes, “In obtaining advice, one should seek out two kinds of counselors. Of those who possess deep spiritual insight, the question should be asked: ‘Are you aware of any biblical principles that touch upon my decision?’ To those who have gone through relevant personal experiences, the query should be: ‘When you went through a similar experience, did you gain any insights that would be of value to me?’” (p. 197). Friesen also notes that there is also a certain amount of wisdom that can be gained by simply observing God’s creation (Proverbs 30:24-28; 6:6ff).

Practical Questions

· “What do I do when I have two or three job offers?”

First, more than one choice is not a bad thing. Instead of being worried about which job should one pick, be thankful that you have more than one choice. Such means that you are a valuable employee and more than one company sees that, or that you are blessed to live in a prosperous economy. God does have the power to providentially put us into contact with job openings(Matthew 6:32-33), but be prepared for more than one offer.

· “What should I consider when picking a company or place to work?”

Can you effectively serve God in this field without compromising your faith? What are the hours like? Will you have time to attend services and bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord? (Hebrews 10:24, Ephesians 6:4). Can you support your family on what they are offering? Have you talked to other people who work for the same company? What is their reputation? Concerning, “Where should I live?” One needs to consider the spiritual needs of your family. Is there a faithful congregation in that part of the country? Are you spiritually ready to go into an area where God’s people are sparse? If you are a man, and are moving into an area where the local congregation is very small, then you need to be spiritually prepared to preach, teach the adult class, lead singing, and do personal work. The Lord’s work in small congregation will demand more of your time.

· “What if I am in a job that I do not really like?”

Then change jobs if you can (1 Corinthians 7:21). If you cannot, then be content to serve God in that condition. Even the worst employment cannot quench the example and spirit of a genuine Christian (1 Peter 2:18-20). Remember, God never promised Christians that each one of them would find the “ideal” job. Also remember that God expects us to work equally hard in an undesirable job as in any other. Many successful people have started out sweeping floors or cleaning bathrooms.