Posts Tagged ‘work’
“I’m Not Included”
by Rickie Jenkins “I am just not included at church; I am given no part.” If true, that is sad. That’s not God’s intent. God designed a local church to depend on one another. He expects all to contribute to the good of the whole (Ephesians 4:16). Thus, in God’s design “every part may grow…
Read MoreWork
by Mark A. Turner As a pre-teen and a teenager, I had one way to get in shape each year. It would take one week. One week of walking up and down watermelon rows. Turning them over, picking them up, tossing them to the next guy, tossing them on a truck, or catching them from…
Read MoreHow do I deal with work requirements that involve supporting sinful things?
Question: Good afternoon, I’ve been dealing with this dilemma for several months now and would love advice from a gospel teacher. I am going into my last year of college at one of the most liberal public universities in my region. I currently work as a Resident Assistant, where I help lead the residence halls…
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 MoreCarpe Diem – Seize the Day
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Carpe-Diem.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 4:9-12 I. “Carpe Diem” is from a poem written in Latin by Horace. It means “seize the day.” A. The point of the poem is that a person does not know what the future holds so one should make the most of the what a person has at…
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 MoreCould you explain Ecclesiastes 2:26?
Question: Could you explain Ecclesiastes 2:24-26? What is meant in verse 26 by “… while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good in God’s sight …”? Answer: The book of Ecclesiastes is exploring the purpose of life. Solomon shows that…
Read MoreWhat Are You Doing for the Lord’s Church?
by Terry Wane Benton It is not what the church is doing for you, but rather, what are you doing for the Lord’s church? Jesus died and spilled His blood for the church. She is His bride, and she is special, purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). He expects us to keep her pure,…
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 MoreThe Meaning of Life: Why Are You Here?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/The-Meaning-of-Life-Why-Are-You-Here.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 6:6-21 I. What is it that you are looking for out of life? What are you expecting? A. So many people never find contentment with their lives because they are expecting things that life cannot deliver. B. They decide they can’t be happy with life unless something changes 1. I’m…
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 MoreA Worker for the Lord
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/A-Worker-for-the-Lord.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 10:16-25 I. God has not promised His children a life of ease. A. Christ warned his disciples that if men are willing to call him “Beelzebub” then we shouldn’t be surprised when they turn against us. B. Christianity is not easy because of the rejection we must face. It is…
Read MoreIf you work to become more righteous, is it true you are not accepting God’s righteousness?
Question: Mr. Jeff, A friend posted this on Facebook. I’ve read it over and over, and I just can’t grasp what is being said. I’m always skeptical when a writer only quotes one Bible verse when he has so much to say. Sounds to me like a false doctrine or some of it does anyway.…
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 MoreToo Busy Doing the Wrong Things
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/TooBusyDoingTheWrongThings.mp3 I. Some of us are careful shoppers. Especially when it comes to expensive items, such as our cars A. You could buy the cheapest thing on the lot. It will run, but we understand that it won’t last long. It is not worth the investment. B. Rather, most of us understand that it is better to save…
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 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 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 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 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 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 MoreIt is hard to study for a profession whose code of ethics encourages the support of immoral behavior
Question: Today, I ran across your web page concerning the errors of Catholicism. I believe in what you say because you provided scripture to support your claims. I greatly appreciate your site because it speaks the truth to people who need to know. I am a young, educated, single, Christian woman, currently attending graduate school in…
Read MoreShould I give up my job because I cheated some in college?
Question: I cheated some during college. I regret this wholeheartedly. I have my current job as a teacher now because of my degree, which I view as tainted from cheating. Should I give up the benefits that have come with the possession of my degree? Does simply holding my degree constitute a sin? Are there…
Read MoreWhat if the site I write for also advertises gambling?
Question: I write for a sports website which advertises a betting company on its homepage and also at the bottom of every article (including the ones that I write). I really enjoy my job but am concerned that whether working for a company that promotes gambling (indeed the betting company helps to indirectly pay part…
Read MoreHow do you pick a job when so many can involve sinful things?
Question: It seems like there are a lot of jobs where a person comes in contact with alcohol and cigarettes and other morally improper things. For instance, if someone works at a restaurant they might end up pouring and serving alcohol, or maybe a musician who plays at a restaurant might be entertaining a combination…
Read MoreCan a Christian be a serious actor when so many movies have intimate scenes?
Question: “It is good for a man not to touch a woman” (I Corinthians 7:1). What is the guideline for dating and marrying an actor or actress, where a part of their job sometimes involves intimate scenes? Does this mean they have sinned? Can a Christian be a serious actor or actress during these times,…
Read MoreIs it wrong to leave out some of my employment history on a resume?
Question: I often struggle with discerning what might be God’s conviction over sin and what might be me worrying excessively. Recently, I filled out a job application that asked for a separate sheet for additional employment that was “relevant to the position” I was applying for. I held many, many jobs during college, some for…
Read MoreIf you can’t work due to illness, should you not eat?
Question: In II Thessalonians 3:10-12 it says if we won’t work neither should we eat. I always feel bad because I can’t work anymore. My wife and I are disabled and I can hardly count all the diseases I have and move only in a powerchair. Should we turn down any request to eat at…
Read MoreDoes everyone need to work?
Question: You say that everyone must work, but what about those that cannot work because of a disability or ones that cannot find work? I do not have any working background, and when I looked for a job nobody would hire me because of it. And what about the ones who have been laid off?…
Read MoreIs it wrong for my employer to demand more hours from me?
Question: I have been asked by my employer to work more hours since they laid off other employees. Is there anything against doing this in the Bible, if it means having less time with my young son and wife? This will not be overtime as I am a salaried employee. Answer: As a salaried employee,…
Read MoreIs it wrong to work in a Catholic hospital or work for a company that produces sexual themed movies?
Question: In your answer “Is it wrong to have a job that encourages others to sin?” I was wondering if you could give me some examples of this. I got concerned because I have a mother whose employer sends her to work some days in a Catholic hospital. (She is NOT Catholic by the way).…
Read MoreIn Toil
Bryan Matthew Dockens Work is the common lot of all men. When Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden of Eden, the Lord God told the man, “Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring…
Read MoreThe Work of the Church
Text: Psalm 104 I. The world is evidence of the ability of God to design perfect systems – Psalms 19:1 A. Everywhere we turn the wisdom of God is manifested – Psalm 104:24 B. This same masterful designer displayed His great wisdom in the design of the church – Ephesians 3:8-11 C. Just as man is not able…
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