Devotions/TOW – Page 5 – Called To Work

26: Working justly (Ezekiel 18:5–9)

December 18, 2023

Ezekiel 18:5-9 notes a range of actions, both righteous and wicked. These actions become the principles by which a person is said to “live” or “die.” Four of these actions are related to work: restoring a debtor’s pledge, providing for the poor, not charging excessive interest, and working justly.

Ezekiel 18 is more than a set of rules for living in exile; it is an answer to the despair the exiles feel. In response to the exiles’ question — “If we are God’s people, why are we in exile?” “Why are we suffering?” “Does God care?” — the Lord rebuts not with an answer, but with a call to live justly in the time between past transgression and future restoration, between promise and fulfillment, between question and answer.

Living out this personal righteousness in our professional pursuits adds life and meaning to our present circumstances because it assumes a better tomorrow, ushers the future kingdom of God into the present, and provides a glimpse of what God anticipates from his people as a whole. God rewards such behavior, the type of which is possible only by means of new hearts and spirits.

Prayer: Jesus, put a new heart and a right spirit within me, that I might live justly. Amen.

For Further Exploration: Read Israel’s Responsibility for its Predicament (Ezekiel 18) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

25: The brokenness of the world (Lamentations 3:31–33, 39–41)

December 11, 2023

Scripture Reading: Lamentations 3:31–33, 39–41

After a two-year siege, the Babylonians captured Jerusalem, tore down its walls, looted and destroyed God’s temple, and took the able-bodied citizens into exile in Babylon. Jeremiah is among the few survivors left in the land, living among those who had clung to life through the famine and watched starving children die, as false prophets continued to mislead the people about God’s purposes. The book of Lamentations captures the desolation of the city and the despair of the people at the same time that it underscores the reason for this desolation.

Here we see the poet at work. In five tightly structured poems, he uses powerful images of the carnage in the city as God allows the punishment of his people for their vicious sins. But in spite of the emotional depth of his grief, the artist captures the devastation in a controlled poetic form. This is art in the service of emotional release.

In the destruction of Jerusalem, the innocent suffered alongside the guilty. Children starved and faithful prophets like Jeremiah bore the same misery meted out to those whose sins brought an end to the city. This is the reality of life in a fallen world. When corporations collapse under the weight of bad decisions, gross negligence or outright illegal practices, innocent people lose their jobs and pensions along with those who caused the debacle. At the same time, for the Christian in the workplace, the inequities in this life are not eternal. God reigns and his compassion never fails. It’s not easy to hang onto that divine reality in the midst of sinful systems and unprincipled leaders. But Lamentations tells us, “The Lord will not reject forever.” We walk by faith in the living God whose faithfulness to us will not fail.

Prayer: Jesus, the brokenness of this world is sometimes more than I can bear. Help me to have faith and hope in you even when life and work have gone wrong. Amen.

For Further Exploration: Read Jeremiah the Poet at Work: Lamentations from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

24: Work for the common good (Jeremiah 29:7)

December 4, 2023

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 29:7

In Jeremiah chapter 29, the prophet draws attention to God’s intention that his people’s work should bless and serve the communities around them, and not only the people of Israel.

False prophets in exile assured the exiled Jews that God’s favor would always rest on Israel, to the exclusion of its neighbors. Babylon would fall, Jerusalem would be saved, and the people would soon return home. Jeremiah attempted to counteract that false proclamation with God’s true word to them: Babylon would be this generation’s only home. God called the people to work the land there diligently: “build houses…plant gardens and eat what they produce.” The Jews were meant to flourish there as the people of God, even though it was a place of punishment and repentance for them. Moreover, the Jews’ success in Babylon was tied to Babylon’s success.

This call to civic responsibility twenty-six hundred years ago is valid today. We are called to work toward the prosperity of the entire community, not merely for our own limited interests. Like the Jews of Jeremiah’s day, we are far from perfect. We may even be suffering for our faithlessness and corruption. Nonetheless we are called and equipped to be a blessing to the communities in which we live and work.

The work of Christians in their faithfulness to God is intended for the good of everyone, beginning with those who are not God’s people, and extending through them to God’s people themselves. Successful business leaders understand that product development, marketing, sales and customer support are effective when they put the customer first. This is perhaps the most profound economic principle in Jeremiah, that working for the good of others is the only reliable way to work for your own good.

Prayer: Lord, you say to “seek the welfare of the city” and “pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” I pray for the welfare of my community and my workplace. Show me how to bless those around me through my work, both paid and unpaid. Amen.

For Further Exploration: Read Bless Wider Society Through Your Work (Jeremiah 29) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

23: Suffering at work (Isaiah 29:13; 58:6)

November 27, 2023

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 29:13; 58:6

Christians have traditionally equated the Suffering Servant in Isaiah with Jesus. Isaiah’s picture of the Servant’s suffering reminds us that as servants of God, we may be called to self-sacrifice in our work, as Jesus was.

God’s standard calls us to meet the needs of justice and righteousness through our work. As servants of the Servant of the Lord, we are called to meet unmet needs. In the workplace, this may have many faces: concern for a downtrodden employee or co-worker, alertness to the integrity of a product being sold to consumers, avoiding shortcuts that would deprive people of their input, even rejecting hoarding in times of scarcity.

As members of a people being redeemed by God’s grace, we can be vessels of that grace for the benefit of those around us. Sometimes we have the opportunity to make our workplaces more just, more compassionate, more oriented toward making the world a better place. In doing so, we may enact the servant’s mission in small ways ourselves.

Conversely, at other times, it is difficult to do our work as God intends. Individuals or systems in our workplaces may resist the way God is leading us. Our own sin and shortcomings may short-circuit any good we might have accomplished. Even our best efforts may not seem to make much difference.

Despite the discouragement we often feel, the ultimate result of our work is in God’s hands. We can trust God not only to use what we have done, but in God’s time to bring it to fulfillment.

Prayer: God, you make things right in your timing. Even in times of trouble, even when I don’t see the fruit of my work, may I trust that your will will be done. Amen.

For Further Exploration: Read Servant at Work (Isaiah 40ff.) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

22: Work, rest and family (Song of Songs 7:11–12)

November 20, 2023

Scripture Reading: Song of Songs 7:11-12

The text of Song of Songs describes the marriage of a man and a woman and their coming together. Christian preachers and writers have tended to avoid the Song or to allegorize it out of concern that it is too racy for polite religious society.

But upon their marriage, the lovers create a household, the primary unit of economic activity in the ancient world. Passion between spouses is a glue holding the household together through the prosperity, adversity, joy and stress that characterize a family’s life and work.

Throughout these verses, we see imagery drawn from the landscape of Israel and its agriculture. The joy of the man and woman’s love is intimately connected to the world of their work. They express their happiness with images drawn from what they see in their gardens and flocks.

Before the Industrial Revolution, most people worked with family members in the households where they lived. This is still true in much of the world. The Song paints an idyllic view of this arrangement. The reality of household-based labor has been marred by poverty, grinding toil, humiliation, bonded service and slavery, and abusive relationships. Yet the Song expresses our desire — and God’s design — that our work be woven into the tapestry of our relationships, beginning with family.

How can you find a rhythm of work, rest, and family life?

Prayer: Jesus, be with me in my work, my leisure, and my relationships. Amen.

For Further Exploration: Read Passion, Family, and Work (Song of Songs 3:1-8:5) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

21: Giving and giving thanks (Ecclesiastes 2:18-25)

November 13, 2023

Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 2:18-25

What about the accumulation of wealth as the higher purpose behind work? In Ecclesiastes, this turns out to be worse than spending wealth to gain pleasure. Wealth brings the problem of inheritance. When you die, the wealth you accumulated will pass to someone else who may be completely undeserving. This is so galling that the Teacher, narrator of Ecclesiastes, says, “I turned and gave my heart up to despair” (Eccl. 2:20).

Like the Teacher, many people today who accumulate great wealth find it extremely unsatisfying. While we are making our fortunes, no matter how much we have, it doesn’t seem to be enough. When our fortunes are made and we begin to appreciate our mortality, giving away our wealth wisely seems to become a nearly intolerable burden.

The Teacher does not find satisfaction in giving wealth any more than in gaining it (Eccl. 2:18-21). The satisfaction God in heaven finds in giving somehow escapes the Teacher. He does not seem to consider the possibility of investing wealth or giving it away for a higher purpose.

But God is a giver, and his gifts include food, drink and joy (Eccl. 5:18, 8:15), wealth and possessions (Eccl. 5:19, 6:20), honor (Eccl. 6:2), integrity (Eccl. 7:29), the world we inhabit (Eccl. 11:5) and life itself (Eccl. 12:7). How can we be thankful for these gifts? How can we find joy in giving?

Prayer: “No gifts have we to offer for all your love imparts, but that which you desire now: our humble, thankful hearts!” Amen. (lyrics by Matthias Claudius, translated by Jane Campbell)

For Further Exploration: Read Work is a Chasing After the Wind (Ecclesiastes 1:12-6:9) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

20: Proverbs 31 and work (Proverbs 31:10-31)

November 6, 2023

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 31:10-31

A remarkable connection between the book of Proverbs and the world of work occurs at the end of the book. Lady Wisdom, who we meet at the beginning of the book, reappears in street clothes in the final 22 verses of the book (Prov.31:10-31) as a living, breathing woman, termed “the virtuous woman” in the KJV.

The text focuses on the woman’s work as an entrepreneur with a cottage industry and its servants/workers to manage. Proverbs 31:10-31 does not merely apply to the workplace; it takes place in a workplace. This woman of strength is shown as a wise worker throughout Proverbs: she is trustworthy, diligent, shrewd, generous, just, and guards her tongue. She functions in the book as an affirmation of the dignity of every person’s work.

As always in the book of Proverbs, the way of wisdom flows out of the fear of the Lord. After all the Valiant Woman’s abilities and virtues are described and honored, the source of her wisdom is revealed. “A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (Prov. 31:30).

Prayer: Lord, may excellence in my work arise from my fear of you and love for you. Amen.

For Further Exploration: Read What do the Proverbs have to do with Work? from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

19: When unscrupulous people succeed (Psalm 49:16–19)

October 30, 2023

Scripture Reading: Psalm 49:16-19

Sometimes we think that the righteous should obviously do well in life while the wicked just as obviously fall into ruin. But things don’t always follow this script. When the wicked thrive, Christians feel that the world has turned upside down and that their faith has proven vain.

In hard times we are apt to look to those who have prospered by corrupt practices or by cronyism and believe that we must do the same if we are to escape poverty. But we in fact only guarantee that we will share in their disgrace before people and their condemnation before God.

If we do decide to make God our trust, we must do so fully and not superficially. It is a bad thing for someone to use fraud in order to gain wealth. It is a terrible thing to do this while feigning allegiance to God.

We would do well to ask what others see when they observe our work and the way we do it. Do we justify taking ethical shortcuts, or discrimination, or treating people badly by babbling about “blessing” or “God’s will” or “favor?” Perhaps we should be more reluctant to ascribe our apparent successes to God’s will and be more ready to say simply, “I don’t deserve it.”

Prayer: Jesus, sometimes wicked ways seem to lead to success. Help me fully trust in you and your ways, rather than in corruption, to succeed in the ways that matter. May my heart be set on you. Amen.

For Further Exploration: Read Anxiety When Unscrupulous People Succeed (Psalms 49, 50, 52, 62) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

18: Treat others with respect and dignity at work (Job 31:13–15)

October 24, 2023

Scripture Reading: Job 31:13-15

A godly employer will treat employees with respect and dignity. This is particularly evident in the way Job takes his servants’ complaints seriously (Job 31:13-15). Job correctly points out that those in power will have to stand before God to defend their treatment of those under them.

God will inquire from subordinates how their superiors treated them. Superiors would be wise to ask their subordinates the same question while it is still possible to remedy their errors. The mark of true and humble followers of God is their openness to the possibility that they are in the wrong, which is most evidenced by their willingness to field any and all legitimate complaints.

Our time has seen great struggles for equality in the workplace with respect to race, religion, nationality, sex, class and other factors. The Book of Job anticipates these struggles by thousands of years. Yet Job goes beyond merely formal equality of demographic categories. He sees the equal dignity of every person in his household. We will become like Job when we treat each person with all the dignity and respect due to a child of God, regardless of our personal feelings or the sacrifice required on our part.

This truth does not mean Christian bosses should not establish high standards in the workplace. However, it does require that the ethos of any workplace relationship be characterized by respect and dignity, especially on the part of the powerful.

Prayer: Jesus, may I treat each person I work with and meet with the respect and dignity due to a child of God, made in your image. Amen.

For Further Exploration: Read d from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

17: Taking risks at work (Esther 3:5-15, Esther 4:5-16)

October 16, 2023

Scripture Reading: Esther 3:5-15; 4:5-16

While Esther’s entrance to Ahasuerus’ palace granted access to power and influence, she concealed her Jewish ancestry at the urging of her cousin Mordecai. She did not seem interested in whether God had any plan or purpose for her there. In fact, God is not even mentioned in the book of Esther. But God had a plan anyway.

Mordecai after some time came into conflict with Ahasuerus’ highest official, Haman. Haman responded by plotting to kill not only Mordecai, but the whole Jewish people. Esther protested that getting involved could jeopardize her position, and even her life. Mordecai responded, “Do not think that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.”

Esther could continue to conceal her Jewishness and spend the rest of her days as first lady of Xerxes’ harem. Or she could take her life in her hands and do what she could to save her people. Esther took on the service of intervening with the king, risking her position, her possessions, her life.

Serving God requires risking our positions. If you use your position to serve God, you might lose your position and your future prospects. Yet the truth is our positions are also at risk if we don’t serve God. It is no foolishness to risk what you cannot keep in order to gain what you cannot lose. Work done in God’s service can never truly be lost.

How can God use you today?

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for my place in the world at such a time as this. Though I am limited, help me to use the power and position I do have to bring about your good purposes today. I submit my life to you. I place my hope in you. Amen.

For Further Exploration: Read Esther and Work from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

Called To Work

Category: Devotions/TOW

26: Working justly (Ezekiel 18:5–9)

25: The brokenness of the world (Lamentations 3:31–33, 39–41)

24: Work for the common good (Jeremiah 29:7)

23: Suffering at work (Isaiah 29:13; 58:6)

22: Work, rest and family (Song of Songs 7:11–12)

21: Giving and giving thanks (Ecclesiastes 2:18-25)

20: Proverbs 31 and work (Proverbs 31:10-31)

19: When unscrupulous people succeed (Psalm 49:16–19)

18: Treat others with respect and dignity at work (Job 31:13–15)

17: Taking risks at work (Esther 3:5-15, Esther 4:5-16)

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