Crossroads Church - Plymouth, IN
Proverbs - God's Wisdom on Work
Worship Gathering
Locations & Times
Crossroads Church
1650 N Oak Dr, Plymouth, IN 46563, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
Connection Card
Please take a moment and fill out this simple Connection Card. Thank you!
https://crossroadsefc.churchcenter.com/people/forms/505322Online Giving
We believe everything we have comes from God. As a steward, not an owner, it is an act of worship to be generous and give. Thank you for considering a gift to Crossroads.
https://crossroadsefc.churchcenter.com/givingBulletin
Stay up-to-date with things happening at Crossroads and how you can get connected.
https://www.crossroadsefc.com/digital-bulletinPrayer and Praise
Romans 12:15 says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." Take a moment to let us know how we can rejoice with you or bring a need before God with you.
https://crossroadsefc.churchcenter.com/people/forms/478788God’s Wisdom on Work
1. Work is part of God’s created design.
Genesis 2:15–18 (ESV) - The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” 18Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
· The responsibility of work is grounded within the context of relationship.
· Work is a blessing from God and meant to be part of His “very good” creation.
1. Work is part of God’s created design.
Genesis 2:15–18 (ESV) - The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” 18Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
· The responsibility of work is grounded within the context of relationship.
· Work is a blessing from God and meant to be part of His “very good” creation.
God’s Wisdom on Work
2. Work is a vital part of what it means to bear God’s image.
Genesis 1:26–27 (ESV) - Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Genesis 2:1–3 (ESV) - Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
2. Work is a vital part of what it means to bear God’s image.
Genesis 1:26–27 (ESV) - Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Genesis 2:1–3 (ESV) - Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
Genesis 3:17–19 (ESV) …cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; 18thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. 19By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
· Work is not a curse even though it is now cursed.
· Work is not a curse even though it is now cursed.
Sin tempts us to…
1. Overwork
Proverbs 23:4–5 (ESV) - Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. 5When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.
Proverbs 11:4 (ESV) - Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
1. Overwork
Proverbs 23:4–5 (ESV) - Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. 5When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.
Proverbs 11:4 (ESV) - Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
Sin tempts us to…
2. Resist work
Proverbs 10:4 (ESV) - A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
Proverbs 12:24 (ESV) - The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
Proverbs 14:23 (ESV) - In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.
Proverbs 20:13 (ESV) - Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.
Proverbs 21:25–26 (ESV) - The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. 26All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
Proverbs 28:19 (ESV) - Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
2 Thessalonians 3:10–12 (ESV) - For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
2. Resist work
Proverbs 10:4 (ESV) - A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
Proverbs 12:24 (ESV) - The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
Proverbs 14:23 (ESV) - In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.
Proverbs 20:13 (ESV) - Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.
Proverbs 21:25–26 (ESV) - The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. 26All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
Proverbs 28:19 (ESV) - Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
2 Thessalonians 3:10–12 (ESV) - For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
Sin tempts us to…
3. Grow weary
Proverbs 13:11 (ESV) - Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
3. Grow weary
Proverbs 13:11 (ESV) - Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
“Work is far more. Work is primarily a contribution not compensation. It’s about contribution to God’s world, contributions that can take paid and unpaid forms. From cradle to grave we were created to contribute to God and His good world.” - Tom Nelson
Work = to contribute to God’s created design and to glorify Him by seeking the common good and God’s grace in our family, community, and local church.
Proverbs 16:3 (ESV) - Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
Galatians 6:9–10 (ESV) - And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV) - So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Proverbs 16:3 (ESV) - Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
Galatians 6:9–10 (ESV) - And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV) - So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Discussion Questions
1. The presence of sin means each of us are tempted to mishandle God’s gracious gift of work. Are you more tempted to work constantly and find yourself unable to rest? Or are you more tempted to find excuses not to work? Or are you a combination of both?
2. Read Proverbs 6:6-9. What does the sluggard need to learn from the ant?
3. In Proverbs, Solomon tends to be very critical of resting but God commands us to rest (Exodus 20:8-11). Keeping a full biblical perspective in mind, what would you say is a biblical attitude about work and rest?
4. Do you think welfare programs foster laziness? Why or why not? If so, how would you suggest that society avoid the laziness problem while caring in a biblical manner for the poor?
5. What specific point of application is there for you from this message?
1. The presence of sin means each of us are tempted to mishandle God’s gracious gift of work. Are you more tempted to work constantly and find yourself unable to rest? Or are you more tempted to find excuses not to work? Or are you a combination of both?
2. Read Proverbs 6:6-9. What does the sluggard need to learn from the ant?
3. In Proverbs, Solomon tends to be very critical of resting but God commands us to rest (Exodus 20:8-11). Keeping a full biblical perspective in mind, what would you say is a biblical attitude about work and rest?
4. Do you think welfare programs foster laziness? Why or why not? If so, how would you suggest that society avoid the laziness problem while caring in a biblical manner for the poor?
5. What specific point of application is there for you from this message?