Day 2: Work and Finance

Read It: Acts 20:31-36

31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. 35 In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 36 When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

Meditate On It:

1. What was the context surrounding Paul’s address to the Ephesian leaders? Read Acts 20:17-30 for context.

2. What did Paul do for the church at Ephesus? List down his ministry and work among them. (vv 31-35)

3. How were Paul’s needs provided for as he ministered in Ephesus? (vv 33-35)

4. In what way did Paul exhibit a lifestyle of worship and prayer? (vv 31-32, 36; Further reading: Acts 20:19-24, 27)

Apply It:

The Apostle Paul was a tent-maker and a missionary. He was working to provide for his needs and the needs of others all while ministering to people and planting churches across the world. Rather than preoccupying himself with selfish financial gain, he used his skills and resources to carry out his calling from the Lord Jesus and to be a blessing to the communities he reached out to. Lastly, we see from his very own farewell to the leaders in Ephesus how he shared his life with them, building Christ-centered relationships along the way.

1. Where has God placed me to fulfill my calling and be of service to Him? How can I be more intentional towards the people around me and find ways to minister to them? Think about your current occupation, position, influence, and relationships.

2. How can I grow in the following areas:

• Excellence at Work and Ministry
• Intentionality with Relationships
• Lifestyle of Prayer and being Spirit-filled
• Sacrifice, Stewardship, and Generosity

Set Simple, Measurable, Appropriate, Realistic, and Time-bound [SMART] commitments for each.

3. In what ways can I treat my work as my ministry for the Lord? What steps can I take to establish this? For example: "As a Christ-follower, I will initiate a time of prayer or conduct a Bible study in our workplace once a month."

Pray It:

GOD’S CALLING

• Seek for His calling upon your life. Offer to Him the way you work as a pleasing sacrifice. Be ready to obey Him wherever He will lead you and whatever He will ask you to do.
• Ask the Lord to reveal what He is doing in your community. Offer to Him your own occupation and become a representative of His Kingdom.
• Strive for excellence in school or at work - do everything for God's glory alone.
• Pray for a culture of obeying God's Word and practicing evangelism and discipleship in your sphere of influence (family, community, company, and country.)
• Serve in your workplace or community (start a Bible study or prayer time in your workplace or nearby location)
• Ask the Lord for His wisdom and counsel for your life; let the Holy Spirit provide a spiritual revival for you with renewed strength and zeal to follow Him faithfully

GOD’S FINANCIAL PROVISION

• Take the time to cast your financial burdens to the Lord: any discouragement, anxiety, shortcoming, or fear that gets in the way of your relationship with God.
• Confess the times we let our worries consume us. Repent from having relied on our own strength or wisdom, rather than depending on God first and foremost for our needs.
• Ask the Lord for a financial breakthrough and a heart to seek His Kingdom above all. Let the Holy Spirit enable you to be a good steward of His resources.
• Pray to be more generous, charitable, and cheerful as you give your time, talents, and resources to God's work in the church, or to anyone who may be in need at this moment