"THE BOOK OF PROVERBS" Wisdom Regarding Work INTRODUCTION 1. The responsibilities of being a Christian are many, one of which is providing a proper example... a. We are to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth - Mt 5:13-16 b. This requires outstanding and honorable conduct on our part - 1 Pe 2:12 c. This is especially true as we go about the business of making a living - cf. 2Th 3:11-12 2. But how can we be sure that we behave properly toward outsiders in our business affairs...? a. We've seen that Proverbs has much wisdom to offer in regards to friends and family b. It also has much to say regarding every day work and business! [As one who was employed in secular work before devoting my full energies to preaching the gospel, I found Proverbs to be especially helpful in this area. For example, from Proverbs I learned...] I. TO KEEP WORK IN ITS PROPER PLACE A. REMEMBER WHAT SHOULD TAKE PRIORITY... 1. It is a fact of life that we must work to live and provide forf our families a. If we aren't willing to work, the church is under no obligation to help us - 2Th 3:6 b. If we don't provide for our families, we are worse than unbelievers - 1Ti 5:8 2. But misplaced priorities can be very harmful to our well-being! a. Righteousness, not riches, is what is truly profitable - Pro 11:4 b. One should therefore seek to be righteous, not rich - Pro 11:28 3. It is better to have a little with righteousness, than to be rich and wicked - Pr 16:8 B. INVOLVE GOD IN OUR BUSINESS AFFAIRS... 1. For then our efforts are more likely to succeed - Pr 16:3 (cf. how the Lord blessed Joseph - Gen 39:2-5) 2. We are more likely to be able to enjoy what we receive - Pro 10:22; cf. Ec 5:18-6:2 C. REMEMBER THAT BUSINESS HAS A MAJOR SHORTCOMING... 1. We never know what might happen tomorrow - Pr 27:1; cf. Jm 4: 13-16 2. Wealth is a fleeting commodity not worth killing yourself in order to obtain - Pr 23:4-5 [Many people come to learn these truths only after a lifetime, when they realize they wasted their years on things not truly important, but the value of Proverbs is that even the young can know them early and apply them to their lives! From Proverbs I also learned...] II. TO BE SUCCESSFUL LABORER A. WHAT "NOT" TO DO... 1. Be lazy, for it will greatly irritate your boss! - Pr 10:26 2. Be slothful in your work, for it will ruin your company as quick as a competing company (and how long will your job last if your company can't compete?) - cf. Pr 18:9 B. WHAT ONE "SHOULD" DO... 1. Develop skill in your work (it will not go unnoticed) - Pro 22:29 2. Be diligent in your work to ensure your promotion - Pr 12:24 3. Impress people with the quality of your work, not the quantity of your words - Pr 14:23 [In today's competitive job market, among the best "skills" one can have are such things as "diligence" and "honesty". The wisdom from Proverbs can help one become a valuable commodity! Proverbs also provide wisdom on how...] III. TO BE A SUCCESSFUL MANAGER A. BE A WISE MANAGER... 1. Be diligent in your planning, and not too hasty in getting things done - Pr 21:5 2. Nurture and utilize counsel from others - Pr 15:22 3. Stay on top of your job! - cf. Pr 27:23-27 B. BE A GOOD LEADER... 1. Don't be oppressive - Pr 28:16 2. Be concerned for the rights of your employees - Pr 29:7 3. Provide good treatment, and you will gain loyalty and love - Pr 29:21 4. Help the employee see how his work benefits himself as well as the company, so he will be diligent in his efforts - Pr 16:26 CONCLUSION 1. My experience as both a laborer and a manager gave me opportunity to test the wisdom found in Proverbs... 2. I found that if one... a. Keeps the need to work in proper perspective b. Applies the principles found in Proverbs and other Scriptures 3. That in His providence God... a. Not only provides you with the necessities of life b. But more often than not a good degree of material abundance! The important thing to keep in mind is that throughout our business dealings, we must always heed the words of Jesus: "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness!" (Mt 6:33)Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011
