Posts Tagged ‘employment’
I can’t find a job
Question: Good day, I’m 20. I’ve been searching for a new job since I lost my previous one. I’m a web developer and a graphics designer. It has been frustrating searching for a new one. I’ve been rejected more times than I can count. I even got an acceptance email, and I never got a follow-up after that.…
Read MoreMy job requires lying and embarrassing people to get them to pay their loans
Question: Hi Jeff, Hope you’re doing well. I’m in a dilemma and in need of some guidance and counsel. I work in a loan company for close to 2 years. I’m a loan officer there but the job is affecting my spiritual life. The job requires I give people loans and collect the money back. The…
Read MoreWork as for the Lord
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Work-as-for-the-Lord.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Thessalonians 3:6-16 I. Why should you work? A. I had a friend that inherited a large sum of money before he was 18. There was enough cash available that he could live comfortably off the interest the money would generate for the rest of his life. Why should he…
Read MoreIt Takes Effort
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/It-Takes-Effort.mp3 Text: II Thessalonians 3:6-11 I. How many of us truly enjoy working? A. I, like many of us, dream of times when we can take a moment off and do nothing in particular B. Yet, I don’t like to be idle for long. It grates on my nerves. II. In the beginning A. Man has always had work…
Read MoreDoes God want me to lose everything?
Question: Dear Pastor Hamilton: Thank you for always answering emails throughout the many years. I’m writing you to say that I lost my job. I thought it was God’s will for me to be at this job because it was only a block away from my home, it matched my job skills, and it gave…
Read MoreThe Bible Says, “Get a Job!”
by Cody Westbrook The “give me” generation is bearing fruit at a rapid pace. Indicators have been readily apparent for some time through various movements but in recent months the socialistic push has taken center stage in American news and culture. One result of this is a near demonization of work and ownership. On the…
Read MoreWork Smarter Not Harder: A Biblical View on Work
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Is-Work-Smarter-Not-Harder-a-Biblical-Principle.mp3 by Austin Hausner
Read MoreIs it biblical to take a vacation?
Question: Dear Sir, Is it biblical to take a vacation from work? Thank you. Answer: Employment is governed by rules set by governments and the agreement between the employer and the employee. For example, under the Law of Moses, the Israelites were required to not work on Saturdays (Deuteronomy 5:12-15). They also had special religious…
Read MoreWould God throw me away because I’m mentally disabled?
Question: I am disabled (Autism, SchizoAffective, and BiPolar Type 2) and on disability. Does that mean God isn’t pleased with me? I know the verse “He who doesn’t work ought not eat”. I’ve been mulling this over a lot. My attitude toward it has been even though I don’t work to earn money if anyone…
Read MoreShould I quit because my boss insists that I falsify invoices?
Question: Please, my employer is always asking me to falsify invoices against my will, and I feel guilty about this. Please should I quit the job because of this? Please, I need your assistance. Answer: The simple answer is that Christians are not allowed to lie. It doesn’t matter what your employer wants. Your boss…
Read MoreHow do I live by faith while providing for my family with my own job? Is there such a thing as a spiritual calling?
Question: Hello Jeffrey, I’m in need of advice and I’d like to ask a question. First, I want to know how I can live by faith, while at the same time providing for myself and my loved ones with my own job. One of the things that I’ve been struggling with is the temptation to…
Read MoreDo I tell my boss that I might have made a mistake?
Question: Hello, I started a job at a grocery store yesterday. Today on my way to church, all of a sudden, the thought popped up in my head that I could have caused a customer’s soda to not get scanned. Now I know at the time, I thought it was scanned. Another person was actually…
Read MoreShould Christians Strike?
Text: I Peter 2:18-25 I. Labor unions are lauded for the improvements they wrought in the workplace A. By encouraging employees to act as one, many concessions have been won from companies B. When the group appeals don’t sway an employer, strikes often will 1. Strikes shutdown the “life blood” of a business, preventing the production of products…
Read MoreShould Christians apply for unemployment or look for another job?
Question: Dear Sir, Should a Christian apply for unemployment if they are laid off from a job or just look for another job? Answer: Why is this an either-or question? Unemployment is offered so that a person can pay their bills while looking for another job. The purpose of unemployment insurance “is not to guarantee particular…
Read MoreIs studying to get a good job unnecessary?
Question: Hello, There is this person who thinks that studying a lot to get good jobs is unnecessary. He feels that people go after good jobs in order to make money and hold a good position in society. I agree partially with this, but of course, there is a sense of commitment too. The argument…
Read MoreShould I admit that I ignored the recruiter at my interview?
Question: Hello, This might be confusing, but I’m going to try to explain this the best I can. I apologize in advance. Recently I have been searching for jobs. I have had two businesses interested in me (we will call them Companies A and B). I chose B over A because company A wanted me…
Read MoreThe Bible and the Poverty Problem
by Matthew W. Bassford In 2003, social scientists Isabell Sawhill and Ron Haskins noticed three striking differences between poor people in America and the nonpoor. First, poor people generally hadn’t completed high school; the nonpoor had. Second, nonpoor people kept a steady job; poor people didn’t. Third, nonpoor people got married before having children; poor people…
Read MoreMy husband wasn’t honest with me before our marriage
Question: I married and discovered my husband was unable to perform his marital duties. He knew but did not disclose it. Further, he said he had a job but was laid off months prior. I made every attempt to live by the law. When I discovered he still wasn’t working, had emptied the 401k, and…
Read MoreCan I pursue a career singing pop music?
Question: Can I pursue a singing career in pop music? I have an opportunity to get myself out there, but I would like to know if it is OK to pursue a career in entertainment because I don’t want to lose my soul. Please, I would love an answer. I’m very conflicted at the moment.…
Read MoreIt feels like I’m being forced to commit fornication
Question: I am originally from a different country than the one in which I currently live. I am a 28-year-old male. A few years ago, I moved to this country to study. Prior to that, I had tried to make something out of my life in my home country, but I failed to do so.…
Read MoreI want to join the military, but my parents object
Question: I’m 17 years old and am about to graduate. Recently I have been given the opportunity to either go into the military or attended a university. I’m wanting to go into the military. My reason is that I want to help protect the U.S. from foreign dangers, but my parents don’t see it like…
Read MoreHow should transgenders be treated in business?
Question: I am an HR manager I must uphold laws that protect transgender rights. As a Christian can I do that? Answer: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). As best that I can tell, the laws basically demand…
Read MoreIs a person allowed to miss services because of their job?
Question: Is there any proof in the Bible that forsaking the assembly of the saints is acceptable if one’s job requires him to work? I think self-employed people sometimes use this as an excuse which is wrong. But what about companies, or police, or fire, and nurses? I know the head of the family, the…
Read MoreI want to be an artist, but my parents don’t think it is practical
Question: Brother Hamilton, I hope all is well. In the past, the few occasions I wrote to you were truly life-changing. Your talent with teaching is off the chart and much appreciated! I don’t really have a direct question, more so I’m writing again because I want a minister’s advice on some career decisions I’m…
Read MoreJamaica Patois Wisdom – Work
by Jefferson David Tant The Jamaican Patois dialect is colorful, unique, and humorous. It is my desire to share some of the philosophy shown in this mix of colorful phrases that are witty as well as thought-provoking. I hope the readers both profit and enjoy. In my quarter-century plus of teaching there, I have come…
Read MoreMy boss isn’t writing a reference as she promised. What do I do?
Question: I have been working for an employer part-time, less than 19 hours a week, but I have come across an opportunity to work as a teacher’s assistant. My boss has always applauded me and said what a great job I was doing, and how I was her best employee basically. Last week I told…
Read MoreCommands in Conflict
by Andrew Hamilton “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will…
Read MoreIs being a sailor compatible with being a Christian? What about people who never heard of God?
Question: Hello, I am currently training to become a merchant marine. I am a married man with children. The company I am working for forces me to be on-board for around three weeks straight, giving a 48-hour break about once a month — twice if things go smoothly and the ship operations allow it so.…
Read MoreWhen I get busy in school, I lose sight of God. Is that wrong?
Question: Now I’m back in school and it’s getting busy again. But in the classroom, I always get distracted thinking that I am doing something wrong when I’m doing the work. I obviously know that homework is not a sin, but it feels like when I get busy with work I just lose sight of…
Read MoreIs my husband justified in finding another woman because I am a stay-at-home mom?
Question: My husband lost his job and because of a hard time finding work in the state that we lived in, he ended up staying with a relative in another state. During that time he decided to get involved with another woman. We have a young daughter, and I am a stay-at-home mom. My husband…
Read MoreI started out joking with a coworker, but it has gotten out of hand. How do I stop it?
Question: Hi again! You answered a question I had previously, but I was wondering if I could ask you for some more advice. I realize there are people in my life who are good Christians, I’m just not sure how to ask for advice when I’m the one usually giving it. I started working at…
Read MoreMy grandmother promised I would be a preacher, but I want to work in tourism. What do I do?
Question: Dear sir, Please clarify my doubts. Before I was born my grannie made a promise to God that she would dedicate her grandson to church ministry, he would do church activities and he would work as a minister. She thought that I should become a pastor and my mom also agreed. But the problem…
Read MoreIs it right to pay a church secretary?
Question: I am a member of a large, conservative church of Christ. The one thing that bothers me is that we have a lady, who I love dearly, who has been the “church secretary” for many years and is being paid a salary. I can’t find where this is scriptural. The other congregations in our…
Read MoreThe Christian and Business
The Christian and Business – Part 1The Christian and Business – Part 2 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 12:15-21 I. I saw an article where the author railed against a business A. The gist was that the corporation was “bad” because it was large and successful 1. The author assumed that its success must have come…
Read MoreI was forced to start working evenings. Am I lost in this situation?
Question: I was forced to start working evenings at my job. It resulted in me losing my Wednesday night worship. I asked for a night shift and was rejected for it. I am currently looking for new employment. I want to keep the commands of Christ, but in my situation would I be lost? Answer:…
Read MoreIs it a sin to be successful in your work? What constitutes overworking?
Question: What does the Bible mean by overworking? Is it a sin to want to be successful in terms of your job? And by that I mean, for example, I have a dream of starting a business and making it one of the most successful businesses with regard to the specific field. Is this a…
Read MoreAre multi-level marketing businesses good investments?
Question: First of all, I just want to say how I have really enjoyed reading some of the blog posts. My boyfriend is going through a tough decision, and I have a bad feeling about it, but I wanted to follow up with the Scripture to make sure that his decision will not be steering…
Read MoreI need to look for another job, but the ones in this area require working every other Sunday. What should I do?
Question: Dear Minister: I am a married woman in the church. As much as I want to not work or work part-time, it is not what my husband wants me to do. I currently have a job that allows me to be off on Sundays. This job will no longer be available soon, and I…
Read MoreIs it a good idea for both the husband and wife to work full-time when there is a small child?
Question: Hi brother Jeffrey, I have a full-time job and my wife would like to work outside the home and let our 3-year old child be taken care of by a maid. But I read Titus 2:5 that women are to be keepers at home. Are we sinning if we proceed with our plan that…
Read MoreCan a former murderer be forgiven and be able to work?
Question: Dear Minister, I committed murder at the age of 19 and spent the next 21 years in prison. I was released several years ago. I have been trying to figure out if I can truly be forgiven for the murder that I committed, and if so, just how do I get forgiven, and attempt…
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