Faith and Work: Worshiping Through Our Labor

Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound relationship between faith and work, drawing from the stories of the Israelites in the book of Exodus. We began by acknowledging the significant amount of time we spend working and how this can sometimes border on idolatry. The Israelites, after being liberated from Egypt, quickly turned to idol worship, creating a golden calf as a symbol of their fears and desires for security and stability. This act of idolatry was a reflection of their deepest insecurities and a betrayal of their covenant with God. It serves as a cautionary tale for us today, reminding us to examine whether our pursuit of security and comfort has become a modern-day idol.

We then shifted our focus to the concept of work as communal worship. In Exodus 35, God commands the Israelites to construct the tabernacle, a task that required the collective effort and skills of the entire community. This act of building was not just physical labor but an act of worship, a way to honor God with their talents and resources. It was a communal endeavor that brought people together, allowing them to contribute freely and joyfully to God's kingdom. This story illustrates how our work can be an expression of worship when done in obedience to God and in service to others.

Finally, we considered work as discipleship. The story of Bezalel and Oholiab, who were filled with the Spirit of God and given the ability to teach others, highlights the importance of using our skills to disciple and empower others. In the church, we learn to be supportive co-laborers, developing skills that can be transferred to the workplace. This discipleship process is crucial for integrating our faith into our work, allowing us to be a light in the world.

As members of God's kingdom, we are called to live as a royal priesthood, offering our lives as spiritual sacrifices. This means prioritizing sacrifice over consumption, creation over chaos, and love over hate. By embodying these values, we can bring the light of Christ into our workplaces and fulfill our priestly duties with joy and thanksgiving.

Key Takeaways:

1. Work and Idolatry: The Israelites' creation of the golden calf serves as a warning against allowing our work and pursuit of security to become idols. We must examine our hearts to ensure that our desire for stability does not overshadow our devotion to God. [08:25]

2. Work as Communal Worship: The construction of the tabernacle was a communal act of worship, where the Israelites used their skills and resources to honor God. This story reminds us that our work can be an expression of worship when done in obedience to God and in service to others. [19:23]

3. Work as Discipleship: The story of Bezalel and Oholiab highlights the importance of using our skills to disciple and empower others. In the church, we develop supportive relationships that can be transferred to the workplace, allowing us to integrate our faith into our work. [32:35]

4. The Role of the Church: As a kingdom of priests, we are called to live set apart from the world, prioritizing sacrifice, creation, and love. By embodying these values, we can bring the light of Christ into our workplaces and fulfill our priestly duties with joy and thanksgiving. [39:20]

5. Integrating Faith and Work: Our faith should permeate every aspect of our lives, including our work. By viewing our work as an act of worship and discipleship, we can bring the values of God's kingdom into our workplaces and be a light to those around us. [15:57]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:30] - Introduction to Faith and Work
- [03:45] - The Time We Spend Working
- [06:00] - Work as Idolatry
- [08:25] - The Golden Calf and Idolatry
- [12:00] - Pursuit of Security and Stability
- [15:57] - Challenges in Loving Our Neighbors
- [19:23] - Work as Communal Worship
- [22:30] - The Tabernacle as Worship
- [26:05] - Personal Story of Redemption
- [29:45] - Work as Discipleship
- [32:35] - Skills and Community in the Church
- [35:50] - The Church as a Kingdom of Priests
- [39:20] - Living as a Royal Priesthood
- [42:00] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Exodus 32:1-6
- Exodus 35:20-29

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Observation Questions:

1. What prompted the Israelites to create the golden calf, and how did they justify this act of idolatry? [08:25]

2. In Exodus 35, what was the response of the Israelites when God commanded them to build the tabernacle? How did they contribute to this communal act of worship? [19:23]

3. How did the skills of Bezalel and Oholiab contribute to the construction of the tabernacle, and what role did the Spirit of God play in their work? [32:35]

4. What were the Israelites' motivations for creating the golden calf, and how did these motivations reflect their fears and desires? [08:25]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the story of the golden calf illustrate the dangers of allowing our fears and desires for security to overshadow our devotion to God? [08:25]

2. In what ways does the construction of the tabernacle serve as a model for viewing work as an act of communal worship? How can this perspective change our approach to work today? [19:23]

3. How does the story of Bezalel and Oholiab highlight the importance of using our skills to disciple and empower others? What does this teach us about the role of mentorship in the church and workplace? [32:35]

4. How does the concept of living as a "royal priesthood" challenge the way we integrate our faith into our work and daily lives? [39:20]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current work situation. Are there aspects of your job that have become idols in your life, similar to the golden calf for the Israelites? How can you realign your priorities to ensure your work is an act of worship? [08:25]

2. Consider the skills and talents you possess. How can you use these gifts to serve your community and contribute to God's kingdom, much like the Israelites did in building the tabernacle? [19:23]

3. Think about a time when you had the opportunity to mentor or disciple someone. How did you use your skills to empower them, and what impact did it have on both of you? How can you seek out more opportunities for mentorship in your current context? [32:35]

4. In what ways can you embody the values of sacrifice, creation, and love in your workplace? Identify one specific action you can take this week to bring the light of Christ into your work environment. [39:20]

5. Reflect on the neighborhoods or communities you choose to live in. Do they align with your values of loving and serving the poor and marginalized? How can you become more intentional about living out these values in your community? [15:57]

6. How can you cultivate supportive relationships with your coworkers, similar to the communal effort seen in the construction of the tabernacle? What practical steps can you take to be a blessing to those you work with? [32:35]

7. Consider the concept of being a "royal priesthood." How can you offer your life as a spiritual sacrifice in both your personal and professional life? What changes might you need to make to live out this calling more fully? [39:20]

Devotional

Day 1: Guarding Against Idolatry in Our Work
In the story of the Israelites, we see how quickly they turned to idol worship after being liberated from Egypt. The creation of the golden calf was a manifestation of their fears and insecurities, a desperate attempt to find security and stability outside of God. This serves as a powerful reminder for us today to examine our own lives and the potential idols we may have created. Our work, while important, can become an idol if we allow our pursuit of success and security to overshadow our devotion to God. We must be vigilant in ensuring that our hearts remain aligned with God's will, prioritizing our relationship with Him above all else. [08:25]

"For they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen." (Romans 1:25, ESV)

Reflection: What aspects of your work or pursuit of security might be taking precedence over your relationship with God? How can you realign your priorities today to ensure God remains at the center?

Day 2: Work as an Act of Communal Worship
The construction of the tabernacle in Exodus 35 was a communal act of worship, where the Israelites came together to use their skills and resources to honor God. This story illustrates the beauty of collective effort in serving God's kingdom. When we view our work as an expression of worship, we can transform our daily tasks into acts of obedience and service to others. By working together in unity, we can create a community that reflects God's love and purpose. This perspective encourages us to see our work not just as a means to an end but as a way to glorify God and serve those around us. [19:23]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute your skills and resources to your community as an act of worship? What steps can you take to encourage others to join you in this endeavor?

Day 3: Empowering Others Through Discipleship
The story of Bezalel and Oholiab highlights the importance of using our God-given skills to disciple and empower others. These craftsmen were filled with the Spirit of God and given the ability to teach others, demonstrating the value of mentorship and community in the church. By developing supportive relationships, we can transfer these skills to the workplace, integrating our faith into our daily tasks. This discipleship process is crucial for living out our faith in a tangible way, allowing us to be a light in the world and inspire others to do the same. [32:35]

"And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also." (2 Timothy 2:2, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life can you mentor or disciple using your skills and experiences? How can you intentionally invest in their growth and development today?

Day 4: Living as a Royal Priesthood
As members of God's kingdom, we are called to live as a royal priesthood, set apart from the world. This means prioritizing sacrifice over consumption, creation over chaos, and love over hate. By embodying these values, we can bring the light of Christ into our workplaces and fulfill our priestly duties with joy and thanksgiving. This calling challenges us to live intentionally, reflecting God's love and grace in all that we do. As we embrace our identity as a royal priesthood, we can influence those around us and create a culture that honors God. [39:20]

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you embody the values of sacrifice, creation, and love in your daily life? How can you intentionally bring the light of Christ into your workplace today?

Day 5: Integrating Faith and Work
Our faith should permeate every aspect of our lives, including our work. By viewing our work as an act of worship and discipleship, we can bring the values of God's kingdom into our workplaces and be a light to those around us. This integration of faith and work requires intentionality and a commitment to living out our beliefs in practical ways. As we align our actions with our faith, we can create a positive impact in our environments and inspire others to seek God's kingdom. [15:57]

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally integrate your faith into your work today? What specific actions can you take to ensure your work reflects the values of God's kingdom?

Quotes

1. "It's pretty wild to think about it because most of us spend about eight to ten hours a day working slash commuting five days a week and if we sleep seven hours a day that means we spend less than seven to nine hours at home with our families and even less with our children if they sleep before us that means that for the majority of the week we spend more time at work doing work going to work or thinking about work more than anything else in our lives if this wasn't anything else in our lives we would call that idolatry but but as we are navigate this sinful and broken world and the natural result or the consequences of toiling and laboring in this sinful world we obviously don't necessarily consider it idolatry by default but it is the nature of the world we live in right now therefore it shouldn't surprise us then that almost all the research out there says that employment makes a significant contribution to our well-being and it's not just because we're getting paid alright just by the fact that we are employed makes a significant contribution to our well-being physically and emotionally employment oftentimes provides purpose and meaning and on the flip side the pain caused by the experience of unemployment is one of the best documented findings in all research concerning happiness and longevity etc and yet one recent study found that the same pain that we feel from unemployment essentially disappears when a person finds a new job i mean clearly work then is really good for us or it's an idol that we turn to like a drug to get a daily fix in order to feel better about our perhaps meaningless and empty lives or maybe it's a little bit of both or maybe it's neither regardless it's clear that based on scripture based on how we pattern our lives based on our society even based on our the research that's out there work is very powerful and influential to our well-being" [01:00] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The idols that we worship usually reflect the deepest fears or desires of our hearts. And the idols themselves demand our love, loyalty, and service. So, then that begs the question, why did they make a calf? Why didn't they make an eagle? Why didn't they make a snake? Why didn't they worship a frog? Why a calf? This is actually a very easy question to answer if you study the ancient Near Eastern culture. Calf idols, in that region during that time, represented fertility and strength. So, if you worshiped a statue of a calf, you might call it many different names. In that region, it was Baal, but when you worshiped a calf, you usually wanted wealth, power, and a lot of kids. All things that the Israelites were low on and were fearful of not having, because they were a nomadic people now, living, literally wandering. They were wandering through a desert wilderness. And so, in their precarious situation in the desert wilderness, they worshipped and ultimately desired security and stability." [08:25] (74 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I want to challenge you all and make us reflect on this how much of this impulse is us pursuing to some degree or another security and comfort or security and stability as an idol a modern version of the golden calf i feel like based on my conversations with many of us that the neighborhoods that we choose to live in because of the comfort stability and security that it offers i i feel like for many of us in our church that we that you all feel a tinge of guilt because from the conversations that i have you all have a a very big heart for the poor for immigrants and refugees but the neighborhood neighborhoods that we choose to live in don't necessarily reflect that And so because of this contradiction, many of us, I feel like I sense a tinge of guilt or responsibility that our living situation isn't ideal and it doesn't reflect our values. It doesn't conform neatly to our values of loving the poor, defending them, being literally their neighbors and sharing the gospel with them." [15:57] (96 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Could it be that not being a good church neighbor is making you miss out on discipleship opportunities to become a better workplace neighbor? Could it be that not being a good church neighbor is making you miss out? Could it be that not being a good church neighbor is making you miss out on discipleship opportunities to becoming a better workplace neighbor? When we neglect missional opportunities through serving with the church because of our pursuit of security and comfort, where we are ultimately turning to for our security and comfort. Let me rephrase that again. When we neglect missional opportunities... When we neglect missional opportunities through serving with the church because of our pursuit of security and comfort, where are we ultimately turning to for our security and comfort? There we go. In other words, have we made a golden calf in our hearts? And as a result, have we missed out on the formation that comes, the spiritual formation that comes from properly worshipping the Lord?" [19:23] (67 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "In any marriage if your spouse found out that you slept with a prostitute on the first night of your honeymoon your marriage would pretty much be over but in an act of radical and outrageous grace god forgives his people for betraying him through worshiping a golden calf and he essentially rehires them and this time he commissions them to build a tabernacle which is a a beautiful uh transportable uh mobile tent or temple and home for god's spirit as he dwelt with his people while they were still traveling to the promised land the tent itself had allusions to the garden of eden offering the community this community of workers a glimpse into god's new creation in the midst of a broken world a glimpse into how god would gather his people and use their skills workplace skills to create a new society a new world it was a huge honor for the israelites it was also a communal effort men and women both it says freely not under compulsion but freely contributed to this work notice their attention to the smallest details they believe that god cared about even the very little things that they were working on that day their work their work was literally worship" [26:05] (100 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "This was my first real -life lesson in how God can redeem workplace skills acquired from either wicked or mundane circumstances and repurpose them for his glory. Friends, you may be asking yourselves, what was the point of me going to school? Whether it was two years or four years, or you went additionally for grad school, and you're having a hard time finding employment, or you're not happy with your current employment. It's not fulfilling. Or maybe you might be asking, why did I waste so many years at that job? I'm not happy. I don't understand what God is trying to do. What God was trying to do all those years, it just feels like a complete waste. Man, I challenge you. I challenge you to pray and ask the Lord to use whatever knowledge or skills that you've acquired over the years for kingdom purposes as your act of worship. Because if God can redeem a drug dealer and his work skills, I promise you, he can redeem your studies and your work skills too." [32:35] (78 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "These two contrasting stories from Exodus, one with the construction of the golden calf and one with the construction of the tabernacle, don't give us all of the answers for how to be faithful in the workplace. But they do invite us to pursue lifelong discipleship in the church first and in the workplace second. Skills and character development in the first can and will translate into the second. At least in the first, we can make mistakes without risking getting fired. We can ask for forgiveness, receive forgiveness, reconcile, and try again when we can. We can't make mistakes. Furthermore, in both the Old and the New Testaments, God's Word reminds us that His chosen family is a kingdom of priests. It's not just Aaron and these construction workers who are building these things that are responsible for doing these holy acts of work. It is all believers now in the New Testament. The Apostle Peter borrows Old Testament language. In 1 Peter 2, verse 5, to describe the church as a holy priesthood. The church is a holy priesthood whose purpose is to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." [39:20] (81 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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