design – Page 19 – Called To Work

Keep Your Hand on the Plow

March 6, 2023

Devotions/Partners

Proverbs 10:4 (KJV): “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.”

COMMENTARY: Whether we like it or not, work is part of life. In this fallen, sinful world, work is challenging, difficult and tiresome. But in this passage, God reminds us that if we are lazy, we will become poor. If we have a strong work ethic and are diligent, we will become rich. Just remember to let God define “poor” and “rich” on His terms!

APPLICATION: When economies are booming, some people can coast and get by with little or no work. But in the long run, their laziness will lead to mental, emotional, physical, financial and spiritual poverty.

During economic downturns, a strong work ethic becomes even more important. Never forget that, through the good times and bad, God rewards diligent work. Don’t get so wrapped up in strategy and philosophy that you forget to simply put your hand to the plow and get the job done in a wise and quality fashion.

Here’s one very practical application: instead of moaning about declining sales and market share, make those sales calls. Maybe you’re not generating revenues because you’re not actively selling. Selling requires diligence and hard work. It is very hard to reap what you don’t sow!

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Proverbs 10:4 (KJV), read Proverbs and Work from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Keep Good Company

February 28, 2023

Devotions/Partners

Proverbs 2:20-21 (KJV): “That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of righteousness. For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.”

COMMENTARY: In this passage, wisdom instructs us to watch and follow people who have solid reputations for goodness and uprightness; people who are planted; people with strong Godly roots and Godly fruit.

APPLICATION: Today, during a break, lunch, or after work, take a pen and paper or your device and answer these questions:

Who are your business role models and heroes?

Why?

What have they done, or what are they doing, that causes you to admire them?

Hopefully, some dynamic Christian businesspeople will appear on your list.

If the Holy Spirit reveals that you need more on-fire Christian business role models, then take the initiative to seek them out. They can appear in many places. They may be alive or already home in Glory. They may be found on the shelves of Christian bookstores or online. They may attend your church or the church down the street. They may be members of trade associations or workplace ministries. They may appear in the media. They may speak at Christian conferences and seminars. Seek them and you will find them.

Your investment of time and energy will be worth it, for in the days ahead, these people will be an inspiration and blessing to you. They will help you to stay on the right path, to dwell in the land and remain in it.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Proverbs 2:20-21 (KJV), read Proverbs and Work from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

It’s Time for You to Testify

February 20, 2023

Devotions/Partners

Revelation 12:11 (KJV): “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

COMMENTARY: The word testimony means public declaration of one’s Christian experience. Since being born again decades ago, I have shared my testimony countless times one-on-one, at meetings, in print, on the radio, on television and online. I’ve also published and distributed thousands of gospel tracts containing my testimony. How can I not share what God has done in my life, when people’s eternal destinies are at stake?

APPLICATION: When was the last time you shared your testimony with someone else? With co-workers? At church? With family and friends? With professional peers? In public venues and through the media? Somehow, some way, some time, the Lord can and will give you openings. Your testimony may specifically pertain to your salvation or to how the Lord has and is working in your life in other ways. God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of love, power and soundness of mind. When He says speak, speak and trust the outcomes to Him!

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Revelation 12:11 (KJV), read End Times Disaster and Deliverance (Revelation 6-16) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

It’s Smart to be Fraud-Free

February 14, 2023

Devotions/Partners

2 Corinthians 7:1-2 (KJV): “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.”

COMMENTARY: As Paul and his colleagues travelled, sharing the Gospel and establishing new churches, there were always critics and cynics who questioned their motives, intentions, credentials and credibility. Paul boldly declared that his critics are free to inspect his life and see for themselves whether his faith is genuine. Since his conversion on the road to Damascus, Paul has consistently “walked the talk” through the supernatural power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

APPLICATION: In 1886, Robert Louis Stevenson wrote the classic novel Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. By day, Dr. Jekyll was a respected, prominent member of the community. By night, he was a monstrous image lurking in the shadows committing brutal crimes. Stevenson believed that his novel explored the hypocrisy of his time, and the innate evil that occurred in society.

Are you guilty of being a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? At church, you’re one person, but at work you’re another? Do you pay your personal and business bills, on time? Do you pay your personal and business taxes, on time? Do you have the strength of character that, even during difficult times, you do what’s right and honor your commitments? Could you honestly say, as Paul did, “I have wronged no man, I have corrupted no man, I have defrauded no man?” The standard for Christ followers is and should be high, indeed.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about 2 Corinthians 7:1-2 (KJV), read The Encouragement of Praise (2 Corinthians 7) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Not for You to Know

Devotions/Partners

James 4:13-15 (KJV): “Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”

COMMENTARY: “If we do this, what will we get for it” is a common mindset in the business world today. In many ways, we have become a culture that’s preoccupied and overwhelmed with metrics, statistics, reports, forecasts and anticipated outcomes to the point of ridiculousness.

APPLICATION: News flash: God is God and you’re not. He created mankind with the inability to see into the future. Yes, we can learn scientific principles about how God’s creation works. Yes, we can understand to some degree, the consequences that result from His moral laws and the actions we take. Yes, the Lord wants us to count the cost before we make decisions. He gave us a brain, and he wants us to use it wisely. However, in the final analysis, His ways are not our ways. While we desire to forecast outcomes, the reality is that the future will always be a mystery. That’s why we are to walk by faith and not by sight, trusting Him and not driving ourselves crazy trying to figure it all out in advance.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about James 4:13-15 (KJV), read Business Forecasting (James 4:13–17) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Is Your Radar Working?

February 13, 2023

Devotions/Partners

Is Your Radar Working?

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (KJV): “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

COMMENTARY: With today’s technology, the world has become addicted to weather reports. We seek out the latest news about approaching storms. We trust weather forecasters so we can plan our lives accordingly. Why, then, are we so ignorant of, naive about, and blind to the signs of the times?

APPLICATION: Think of some of the sobering signs of the times in business today: The moral stigma on bankruptcy has all but dissipated. How many people are consumed by selfishness in their relentless pursuit to climb the corporate ladder? How many people covet material wealth and keep building bigger barns for all of their worldly treasure? How many people, organizations and governments are drowning in debt?

In short, how many churchgoing businesspeople are guilty of the very signs of the times that Paul writes about? It’s time for us to soberly watch our radar screens and repent of the sins which we condone and excuse as normal business practice. It’s time for Christ followers in the workplace to stand firmly on the Word, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and say NO to the world’s ways and YES to God’s ways regardless of the consequences. The darker the business world gets, the brighter we will be, and the more attractive the Gospel will be to businesspeople who are searching for genuine answers and solutions.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (KJV), read Integrity and Relational Ability Are Key Leadership Qualities (1 Timothy 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Is it Time to Innovate?

January 23, 2023

Devotions/Partners

Ezekiel 47:11-12 (KJV): “But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt. And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.”

COMMENTARY: Whether physical or spiritual, rivers of waters have always brought blessing.

APPLICATION: Is your current product line stale and stagnated? Has it become, as it were, a swamp or a marsh? Are competitors selling new products and services that are bringing new life–new trees with fresh leaves and new fruit to their businesses? If so, pray and ask the Holy Spirit (the Living Water) to reveal what new products and services He wants your business to introduce.

Sometimes economic downturns are just the right time to think out of the box and innovate. These innovations can, in turn, help you to climb out of the economic doldrums and experience renewed economic vitality.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Ezekiel 47:11-12 (KJV), read The Covenantal Hope (Ezekiel 35-48) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Is Bankruptcy a Bous Option?

January 18, 2023

Devotions/Partners

Exodus 20:15 (KJV): “Thou shalt not steal.”

COMMENTARY: For thousands of years, in the Old and New Testaments, God has wanted His people to be people of integrity. Stealing is contrary to God’s nature and character. It’s wrong. It’s evil. And it’s Satan who leads people to believe that if they steal, they’ll “get ahead.” In reality, stealing is sin. And sin always results in destructive consequences.

APPLICATION: We live in a day and age when bankruptcy liquidation filings for Christians (and Christian-owned businesses) are often no less than unbelievers. While bankruptcy was originally created to be a form of mercy in response to horrific debtors’ prisons, over the years, it has eroded into a blatant legal maneuver to escape from one’s financial obligations. Technically, it is legal. Spiritually, it is often immoral.

The arrogance of bankruptcy is that it turns the borrower-lender relationship upside-down: instead of the borrower being servant to the lender, the lender becomes servant to the borrower. It’s strange how the lender, who was a “good person” when the loan was made, becomes a “monster” when he or she tries to enforce the terms of the loan.

Over the years, I’ve met many Christian businesspeople who found themselves in deep financial trouble and considered filing for bankruptcy. Some actually had bankruptcy filing papers ready to sign. However, the Holy Spirit would not let them follow through. Instead, they trusted God and eventually repaid their debts. If you’re on the verge of filing for personal or business bankruptcy today, ask yourself this question: what would Jesus do?

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Exodus 20:15 (KJV) , read The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Inspect the Fruit

Devotions/Partners

Matthew 7:16-17 (KJV): “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.”

COMMENTARY: For decades, I’ve lived in a suburban farming town near Hartford, Connecticut. Over time, from winter to fall, I’ve watched the bare farmlands sprout up with new life. I’ve watched the crops grow. I’ve watched the eventual harvest, abounding in fruits and vegetables. There are many parallels between agriculture and everyday life.

APPLICATION: Many Christians in the workplace are too naive. The Holy Spirit wants to give us supernatural discernment and wisdom, but we presume too much and get ourselves into messy situations because we don’t take the time to prayerfully and diligently inspect the fruit.

When hiring new employees, ALWAYS check references, even if they’re Christians.

When selecting new suppliers, ALWAYS check references, even if they’re Christians.

When serving new customers, ALWAYS check references and credit records, even if they’re Christians.

When considering purchasing or merging with a business, ALWAYS check references and credit records, even if they’re Christians.

As for the fruit and harvest of your life, make a commitment to the Lord in prayer to be a good tree that bears good fruit; not by “striving” to be a good Christian, but by “abiding” in the Holy Spirit. He is the vine, you are the branch. Without Him, you can do nothing.

As you give the Holy Spirit permission to fill you, His supernatural love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control will spring forth. The spiritual gifts that He has divinely chosen to give you will flow. You’ll be an abundant tree of life to those around you.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Matthew 7:16-17 (KJV), read Moral Guidance (Matthew 7) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Idol-Free is the Way to Be

Devotions/Partners

Exodus 20:3-4 (KJV): “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”

COMMENTARY: Trust in God only. People will disappoint you. God created you, He loves you, and has a wonderful plan for your life. He is too good to do wrong, and too wise to make a mistake, even when you are surrounded by challenges and problems. Let His peace abide in you.

God created us to live in social environments, and to be “knit together in love.” We need other people. However, we’re all sinners living in a fallen world full of sinful people. We have an adversary who constantly seeks to steal, kill, and destroy.

In the final analysis, you must place your complete trust in the Living God and in Him alone. The danger in trusting other people is that they can become gods. If we’re not careful, we can start living and planning our lives based on “their” leadership, “their” opinions and “their” performance. Then, when things don’t go as planned or hoped, we’re capable of going into emotional, mental, physical or spiritual tailspins.

APPLICATION: Who among us has had a career or a business plan that panned out perfectly? Who among us has not experienced major business or career curveballs?

Be of good cheer: God sees everything and knows everything. God has a wonderful way of working things out for good–often in mysterious and unexpected ways. As the old-time hymn goes, “Trust and obey…there’s just no other way…to be happy in Jesus…than to trust and obey!”

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Exodus 20:3-4 (KJV) , read The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Called To Work

Author: design

Keep Your Hand on the Plow

Keep Good Company

It’s Time for You to Testify

It’s Smart to be Fraud-Free

Not for You to Know

Is Your Radar Working?

For Further Exploration

Is it Time to Innovate?

For Further Exploration

Is Bankruptcy a Bous Option?

For Further Exploration

Inspect the Fruit

For Further Exploration

Idol-Free is the Way to Be

For Further Exploration

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