Ecclesiastes 2:18-26. This passage applies to every aspect of what you do every day. Clay: Not sure JF does a good job connecting God to your work life.
When Solomon uses the word toil, he's talking about work. Work is a dignified thing. God gave Adam and Eve work to do. In the future with AI we'll be challenged about this. All the great Bible characters had jobs: farmers, tent makers, etc.
A. What's the point? Work is where frustration and fulfillment collide.
B. Contemplating Frustration. Clay quoted the lyrics of Johnny Paycheck's song Take This Job And Shove It.
1. v 18-19 Your success is temporary. It's like when the tide washes away the sand castle you worked so hard to make.
2. v 20-21 You cannot secure the end result. The curse of the third generation - the Vanderbilts, etc. The first generation builds, the second maintains, the third squanders. There are no UHauls following behind hearses.
3. v 22-23 Your work creates anxiety. These verses are spot on - ask any of my former coworkers. You can't rest you mind.
C. Creating Fulfillment. Things you can do.
1. v 24-25 Receive your work as a gift. Take this job and love it. Find enjoyment in the toil, the verse says. This has everything to do with God.
Philippians 4:8 Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.
There are many positives to take from your work.
Hebrews 12:1-2 The cross was a job for Jesus. He did it because God called him to do it.
2. v 26 Redefine success. For to the one who pleases God, can find wisdom, knowledge and joy. Christians should have a work ethic unlike any other.
Col 3 Work heartily, as for the Lord. Serve the Lord well. Takes integrity. Stand by your work. God is over all - both church and work.
William Tindale: there is no work better than another, to please God.
3. Rebalance your priorities. The phrase work life balance is a lie. You'll never get that balance. You can't do it all. What does God want most from me? It will never get easy.
4. Redefine your purpose. The sinner gathers and collects to give to the one who pleases God. You have a great opportunity to represent God in the workplace.
Hebrews 12:1-2 The cross was a job for Jesus. He did it because God called him to do it.
2. v 26 Redefine success. For to the one who pleases God, can find wisdom, knowledge and joy. Christians should have a work ethic unlike any other.
Col 3 Work heartily, as for the Lord. Serve the Lord well. Takes integrity. Stand by your work. God is over all - both church and work.
William Tindale: there is no work better than another, to please God.
3. Rebalance your priorities. The phrase work life balance is a lie. You'll never get that balance. You can't do it all. What does God want most from me? It will never get easy.
4. Redefine your purpose. The sinner gathers and collects to give to the one who pleases God. You have a great opportunity to represent God in the workplace.
WALLY MOON [SABR Bio] was the first player on a team west of the Mississippi to lead the majors in triples. Moon, an alumnus of Texas A&M University, hit 11 triples for the recently-relocated Dodgers in 1959, tied with Dodger 2nd baseman Charlie Neal. It was the only time either of them led their league in a major offensive category. On 11-Sep-1959(1), just after Moon closed out a particularly productive skein of 4 HR in 7 AB, & just after there was news that the Soviet Union had landed the first unmanned probe on the moon, Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully proclaimed, “It’s another moon shot!” After that, use of “moon shot ” proliferated with and without the Apollo Program. The origin of the phrase is lost in the mists of time.
