Work has been appointed to man since the beginning of time. God told Adam to tend the garden, even before Eve was created. When we get to heaven, we will have work to do. When you study Scripture you will see that even the angels have appointed positions and they do the will of God. Most people do not know much about the Word of God (The Holy Bible) and they get their information from Hollywood or fictional books. So their ideas about heaven are usually not biblical. In this study I am going to try and point out some of the things that the LORD revealed to me through this study. I have been in the work force for over thirty years and I have seen that most people do not adhere to what the LORD has told us in Scripture. I hope that if you are reading this that you are a Christian and that you apply what the LORD tells you about work. If you are not a Christian I have to say that I have seen a lot of non-Christians apply these principles in the work place and succeed just as the LORD has promised. His promises are for those who apply them into their lives, they will get the rewards of doing what His Word says.
The first thing that I want to address is what Paul says to the church in Thessalonia. That work should be their ambition, to live a quiet life, minding their own business and work with their hands, so that they will not need to depend on others to meet their financial needs. In 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 Paul puts into action what he preaches. He explains to them that he himself worked with his hands not to be a burden to others. Then he gives them a rule: “Whoever does not work should not eat.” I do not think that it gets any clearer than that. You will see all throughout Scripture that the LORD appoints every man his work (John 3:27). That the LORD Himself does not expect us to work seven days a week. As a matter of fact, the LORD Himself tells us to work six days a week and to rest on the seventh. Then He tells us why. So that we will be refreshed to work the next six days again.
Now let’s take a look at our attitude at work. We are to do it quietly, minding our own business. This means do not take up your co-workers case to the boss. For the boss is being used by the LORD to do whatever it is in your co-workers life, that the LORD has allowed to be done for the purposes of the LORD. We are not to be lazy workers, it says, in Proverbs 10:2 “that lazy people are a pain to their employers”. It says, in Ephesians 6:5-9 to work hard for your employers and to realize that you are working for the LORD Himself when you go to work. To work with enthusiasm!!! In Romans 12:11 it says, “Never to be lazy in your work, but serve the LORD enthusiastically.” It says in 2 Thessalonians 3:12 “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we appeal to such people – no, we command them: Settle down and get to work. Earn your own living.”
Now let’s take a look at the reason for work and the benefits thereof. We see that hard workers get rich (Proverbs 10:4). We see in 1 Thessalonians 4:12 that we will not have to depend on others to meet our financial needs. God teaches us a lesson with the ants in Proverbs 6:6-11 to work hard all summer so that we will not lack in the winter time. In Proverbs 10:5 the LORD tells the youth to work hard all summer. Workers who protect their employers interests will be rewarded (Proverbs 27:18).
Let’s now look at the work place and what happens there. We see that in Proverbs 27:18, that workers who tended to the fig tree were allowed to eat of its fruit. Now let’s examine what happens in the work place today. We have a lot of stealing of the employers products or their time. We see an attitude of ingratitude in the people of the work place. The reasons are pretty clear, the workers do not have the benefits that they should be given. So in turn, the employees justify their sin, by having the attitude that it is owed to them. Now, whatever a man reaps, that he will sow. I do not believe that stealing from your employer is the right thing to do. You have been given a pay check and if you want the company you work for to be able to afford to give you more benefits, then quit stealing and look out for your employers benefit, just like the Word of God says. In Ecclesiastes 5:16-20, king Solomon says that people live under a cloud frustrated, discouraged and angry. Now I know that some of you are these people, I think I can say with confidence that most people have felt this way from time to time at least. I know that I have!!! Well, later on in this section King Solomon says that it is a gift from God to enjoy your work and accept your lot in life. I believe that there are a lot of workers out there that do not enjoy their work and that is a big issue in the work place. They live their lives just as Solomon says frustrated, discouraged and angry. If this is you, find another job that you enjoy.
There is a difference in the work place according to Scripture, that a lot of people do not understand. That difference, is the believers and non-believers. Scripture teaches that believers are to act differently than non-believers, they are the ones that are being addressed here in Scripture, not non-believers. So do not think that everyone in your work place should act as you have been commanded to act. They will complain, they will be in other people’s business, they will be stealing from the company. This is not of your concern, you are to be doing what the LORD has commanded of you. In Psalm 127:1-2 it says, that unless the LORD builds the house, that the work of the builders is useless. What this is saying, is that whatever work is done, that it is actually kind of useless unless the LORD is in it. So much of what we do on a daily basis is just that, useless. You will see this in our daily lives, repeatedly doing something over and over going nowhere. Why? Your guess is as good as mine. The one thing that I do get out of Scripture is that as believers we are to work hard so that non-Christians will respect the way that we live. In the Book of Daniel we see that Daniel did such a good job that his co-workers conspired against him to try and kill him. They could not find anything wrong in his job duties to accuse him of, so they conspired together to trick the king and get him in his prayer life to the Lord. Well, they did trick the king and Daniel did have to go through the judgment, but the Lord’s will was done. Daniel was not harmed, but his co-workers were all thrown to the hungry lions and died because of it. God does not always take away the circumstance, but He will always be with you through it. So do not worry about unfair persecution at work by non-believers, they will reap what they sow. As it says in the Book of Proverbs, when they try and roll a rock on you, it will roll back onto them.
This section is talking about the Lord’s work. In this study you will see that nothing you do for the Lord will be useless, as it says in 1 Corinthians 15:88. That we as Christians work as a team to accomplish God’s purposes, each one of us has our work to do for the Lord and in some cases it is very different according to the work that the Lord has given us and He will only give you the work to do that He has given you the gift or talent to perform it. In doing the Lord’s work there is another benefit that people do not usually think about, the eternal benefits. Jesus Himself said to store up our treasures in heaven where thieves cannot break in and steal them. We are getting credit up in heaven for doing the Lord’s work and on judgment day we will see what actually stays and what gets burned up. This judgment is spoken about in 1 Corinthians 3:13-15.
In this section we are going to discuss warnings to employers. In Ephesians 6:9 we see that it tells masters (Bosses), to not threaten their slaves (workers), for we all have the same Master in heaven and He has no favorites. In the story of Moses and Pharaoh we see that Pharaoh started treating the slaves (workers) harshly. He demanded more production out of them without helping them with their tasks. Instead Pharaoh decided to put a bigger burden upon them and started physically abusing the leaders of the workers to increase his production. We also see how this worked out for Pharaoh. He lost total control. Everything he did to the slaves came back to him tenfold. Every time he chose to do evil, evil returned to him with more evil for him and his household, even to the point of losing his first born son. People might say that God was not being fair, but who are we to try and judge God? God foreknew what Pharaoh was going to do and every time Pharaoh chose to harden his heart, God confirmed it in Scripture and also hardened Pharaoh’s heart. God told Moses that He was going to show his power through Pharaoh, what that meant was, God was going to judge Pharaoh and show Pharaoh that God is the one who rules from heaven, even above Pharaoh. So every boss out there that is trying to rule with an iron fist, look out, it is going to come back to you eventually.
Now I want to address the workers who have the boss who is ruling with an iron fist. Every time that I hear this and I know that the worker is a Christian the first thing I ask them is, are you praying for your boss? They have always told me no!!! Then I explain to them that Scripture tells us to pray for those in authority over us for peace. I believe in this concept and I can personally testify that it works. Every time that I have been having problems with the boss, I have been failing to have him in my prayer life. I need to pray for the boss to keep peace in my own life, also theirs. So remember next time the boss is in your case, pray for them, that the LORD will help them do a good job and to take pressures off of them, so that they can also have peace with their bosses.
God addresses His own work in Scripture, that how He created everything in six days and rested from His work on the seventh. He then set apart the seventh day as holy belonging to Him. We are commanded to work for six days and to rest on the seventh. This is God’s plan for mankind. When we look at Scripture we see that the LORD said that He gives rest to His loved ones in Psalm 127:2. This is because God is at rest and He does not want to burden His children, for He says in Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Look, I want to address this right off of the get go, this is not an excuse to mess around at work. We have already addressed being the best worker in your company, not the laziest. God has given you gifts and talents, now go out and glorify the LORD with them. I hope that this study will give you a better understanding of what the LORD expects out of you as a worker or a boss and that the LORD blesses you in all you do at work. I pray that the Lord keep you and bless you and that everything you do prospers!!!!!!!!!
Work: 1. n. the use of energy or skill in doing or making something; labor 2. what one does to earn a living; occupation, trade, profession, etc. 3. something to be done; task
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before. As a result, people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others to meet your financial needs.
Proverbs 6:6-11
Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and be wise! Even though they have no prince, governor, or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? I want you to learn this lesson: A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest- and poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.
Proverbs 10:4
Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.
Proverbs 10:5
A wise youth works hard all summer; a youth who sleeps away the hour of opportunity brings shame.
Proverbs 10:2
Lazy people are a pain to their employer. They are like smoke in the eyes or vinegar that sets the teeth on edge.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command with the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from any Christian who lives in idleness and doesn’t follow the tradition of hard work we gave you. For you know that you ought to follow our example. We were never lazy when we were with you. We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so that we would not be a burden to any of you. It wasn’t that we didn’t have the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow. Even while we were with you, we gave you this rule: “Whoever does not work should not eat.”
Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and wasting time meddling in other people’s business. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we appeal to such people- no, we command them: Settle down and get to work. Earn your own living. And I say to the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.
Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. Don’t think of them as enemies, but speak to them as you would to a Christian who needs to be warned.
Ephesians 6:5-9
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Work hard, but not just to please your masters when they are watching. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves of free.
And in the same way, you masters must treat your slaves right. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.
Romans 12:11
Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Psalm 127:1-2
Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is useless. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.
Proverbs 27:18
Workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat its fruit. In the same way, workers who protect their employer’s interest will be rewarded.
Genesis 2:1-3
So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day, having finished his task, God rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from his work of creation.
Genesis 5:29
Lamech named his son Noah, for he said, “He will bring us relief from the painful labor of farming this ground that the LORD has cursed.”
Exodus 5:1-6:1
After this presentation to Israel’s leaders, Moses and Aaron went to see Pharaoh. They told him, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go, for they must go out into the wilderness to hold a religious festival in my honor.”
“Is that so?” retorted Pharaoh. “And who is the LORD that I should listen to him and let Israel go? I don’t know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.”
But Aaron and Moses persisted. “The God of the Hebrews has met with us,” they declared. “Let us take a three-day trip into the wilderness so we can offer sacrifices to the LORD our God. If we don’t, we will surely die by disease or the sword.”
“Who do you think you are,” Pharaoh shouted, “distracting the people from their tasks? Get back to work! Look, there are many people here in Egypt, and you are stopping them from doing their work.”
That same day Pharaoh sent this order to the slave drivers and foreman he had set over the people of Israel: “Do not supply the people with any more straw for making bricks. Let them get it themselves! But don’t reduce their production quotas by a single brick. They obviously don’t have enough to do. If they did, they wouldn’t be talking about going into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to their God. Load them down with more work. Make them sweat! That will teach them to listen to these liars!”
So the slave drivers were brutal. “Meet your daily quota of bricks, just as you did before!” they demanded. Then they whipped the Israelite foreman in charge of the work crews. “Why haven’t you met your quotas either yesterday or today?” they demanded.
So the Israelite foreman went to Pharaoh and pleaded with him. “Please don’t treat us like this,” they begged. “We are given no straw, but we are still told to make as many bricks as before. We are beaten for something that isn’t our fault! It is the fault of your slave drivers for making such unreasonable demands.”
But Pharaoh replied, “You’re just lazy! You obviously don’t have enough to do. If you did, you wouldn’t be saying, ‘Let us go, so we can offer sacrifices to the LORD.’ Now, get back to work! No straw will be given to you, but you must still deliver the regular quota of bricks.”
Since Pharaoh would no let up on his demands, the Israelite foreman could see that they were in serious trouble. As they left Pharaoh’s court, they met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting outside for them. The foreman said to them, “May the LORD judge you for getting us into this terrible situation with Pharaoh and his officials. You have given them an excuse to kill us!”
So Moses went back to the LORD and protested, “Why have you mistreated your own people like this, Lord? Why did you send me? Since I gave Pharaoh your message, he has been even more brutal to your people. You have not even begun to rescue them!”
“Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh,” the LORD told Moses, “When he feels my powerful hand upon him, he will let the people go. In fact, he will be so anxious to get rid of them that he will force them to leave his land!”
Exodus 12:16
On the first day of the festival, and again on the seventh day, all the people must gather for a time of special worship. No work of any kind may be done on these days except in the preparation of food.
Exodus 18:13-26
The next day, Moses sat as usual to hear the people’s complaints against each other. They were lined up in front of him from morning till evening.
When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “Why are you trying to do all this alone? The people have been standing here all day to get your help.”
Moses replied, “Well, the people come to me to seek God’s guidance. When an argument arises, I am the one who settles the case. I inform the people of God’s decisions and teach them his laws and instructions.”
“This is not good!” his father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out – and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. Now let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing him their questions to be decided. You should tell them God’s decisions, teach them God’s laws and instructions, and show them how to conduct their lives. But find some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as judges over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty and ten. These men can serve the people, resolving all the ordinary cases. Anything that is too important or too complicated can be brought to you. But they can take care of the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. If you follow this advice, and if God directs you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”
Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and his suggestions. He chose capable men from all over Israel and made them judges over the people. They were put in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. These men were constantly available to administer justice. They brought the hard cases to Moses, but they judged the smaller matters themselves.
Exodus 20:8-11
“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days a week are set apart for your daily duties and regular work, but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any kind of work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them: then he rested on the seventh day. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
Exodus 23:12
“Work for six days, and rest on the seventh. This will give your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It will also allow the people of your household, including your slaves and visitors, to be refreshed.
Exodus 31:1-17
The LORD also said to Moses, “Look, I have chosen Bezalel son Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, intelligence, and skill in all kinds of crafts. He is able to create beautiful objects from gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in cutting and setting gemstones and in carving wood. Yes, he is a master at every craft!
“And I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the naturally talented craftsmen so they can make all the things I have instructed you to make: the Tabernacle itself; the Ark of the Covenant; the Ark’s cover – the place of atonement; all the furnishings of the Tabernacle; the table and all its utensils; the gold lampstand with all its accessories; the incense altar; the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils; the washbasin and its pedestal; the beautifully stitched, holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests; the anointing oil; and the special incense for the Holy Place. They must follow exactly all the instructions I have given you.”
The LORD then gave these further instructions to Moses: “Tell the people of Israel to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you forever. It helps you to remember that I am the LORD, who makes you holy. Yes, keep the Sabbath day, for it is holy. Anyone who desecrates it must die; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community. Work six days only, but the seventh day must be a day of total rest. I repeat: Because the LORD considers it a holy day, anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death. The people of Israel must keep the Sabbath day forever. It is a permanent sign of my covenant with them. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, but he rested on the seventh day and was refreshed.
1 Corinthians 3:4-15
When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I prefer Apollos,” aren’t you acting like those who are not Christians?
Who is Apollos, and who is Paul, that we should be the cause of such quarrels? Why, we’re only servants. Through us God caused you to believe. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. My job was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God, not we, who made it grow. The ones who do the planting or watering aren’t important, but God is important because he is the one who makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose. Yet they will be rewarded individually, according to their own hard work. We work together as partners who belong to God. You are God’s field, God’s building – not ours.
Because of God’s special favor to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have – Jesus Christ. Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone’s work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames.
John 3:27-28
John replied, “God in heaven appoints each person’s work. You yourselves know how plainly I told you that I am not the Messiah. I am here to prepare the way for him – that is all.
Ecclesiastes 5:16-20
And this, too, is a very serious problem. As people come into this world, so they depart. All their hard work is for nothing. They have been working for the wind, and everything will be swept away. Throughout their lives, they live under a cloud – frustrated, discouraged, and angry.
Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat well, drink a good glass of wine, and enjoy their work – whatever they do under the sun – for however long God lets them live. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life – that is indeed a gift from God. People who do this rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reasons for joy.
2 Corinthians 5:11-15
It is because we know this solemn fear of the Lord that we work so hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too. Are we trying to pat ourselves on the back again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart before God. If it seems that we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. Whatever we do, it is because Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for everyone, we also believe that we have all died to the old life we used to live. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live to please themselves. Instead, they will live to please Christ, who died and was raised for them.
Job 37:6-13
“He directs the snow to fall on the earth and tells the rain to pour down. Everyone stops working at such a time so they can recognize his power. The wild animals hide in the rocks or in their dens. The stormy wind comes from its chamber, and the driving winds bring the cold. God’s breath sends the ice, freezing wide expanses of water. He loads the clouds with moisture, and they flash with his lighting. The clouds turn around and around under his direction. They do whatever he commands throughout the earth. He causes things to happen on earth, either as a punishment or as a sign of his unfailing love.
Nehemiah 4:1-23
Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they are doing? Do they think they can rebuild the wall in a day if they offer enough sacrifices? Look at those charred stones they are pulling out of the rubbish and using again!”
Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!”
Then I prayed, “Hear us, O our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in the presence of the builders.”
At last the wall was completed to half its original height around the entire city, for the people had worked very hard. But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall were being repaired, they became furious. They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and to bring about confusion there. But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves.
Then the people of Judah began to complain that the workers were becoming tired. There was so much rubble to be moved that we could never get it done by ourselves. Meanwhile, our enemies were saying, “Before they know what’s happening, we will swoop down on them and end their work.”
The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, “They will come from all directions and attack us!” So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows.
Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the leaders and the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your friends, your families, and your homes!”
When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall. But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The officers stationed themselves behind the people of Judah who were building the wall. The common laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon. All the builders had a sword belted to their side. The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm.
Then I explained to the nobles and officials and all the people, “The work is very spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. When you hear the blast of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will fight for us!”
We worked early and late, from sunrise to sunset. And half the men were always on guard. I also told everyone living outside the walls to move into Jerusalem. That way they and their servants could go on guard duty at night as well as work during the day. During this time, none of us – not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me – ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water.
Psalm 8:3
When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers – the moon and the stars you have set in place –
Psalm 104:23
Then people go off to their work; they labor until the evening shadows fall again.
John 9:1-5
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. “Teacher,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?”
“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him. All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, because there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end. But while I am still here in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Romans 8:26-30
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don’t even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And he gave them right standing with himself, and he promised them his glory.
Romans 11:5-6
It is the same today, for not all the Jews have turned away from God. A few are being saved as a result of God’s kindness in choosing them. And if they are saved by God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s wonderful kindness would not be what it really is – free and undeserved.
Romans 14:20-23
Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, there is nothing wrong with these things in themselves. But it is wrong to eat anything if it makes another person stumble. Don’t eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another Christian to stumble. You may have the faith to believe that there is nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who do not condemn themselves by doing something they know is all right. But if people have doubts about whether they should eat something, they shouldn’t eat it. They would be condemned for not acting in faith before God. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.
1 Corinthians 15:58
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
Now there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving. There are different ways God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work through all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.
John 14:12-14 Side note: This was Jesus speaking.
“The truth is, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, because the work of the Son brings glory to the Father. Yes, ask anything in my name, and I will do it!
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
Brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong. Think highly of them and give them your wholehearted love because of their work. And remember to live peaceably with each other.
Daniel 6:1-28
Darius the Mede decided to divide the kingdom into 120 provinces, and he appointed a prince to rule over each province. The king also chose Daniel and two others as administrators to supervise the princes and to watch out for the king’s interests. Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and princes. Because of his great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire. Then the other administrators and princes began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling his affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize. He was faithful and honest and always responsible. So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the requirements of his religion.”
So the administrators and princes went to the king and said, “Long live the King Darius! We administrators, prefects, princes, advisers, and other officials have unanimously agreed that Your Majesty should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days anyone who prays to anyone, divine or human – except to Your Majesty – will be thrown to the lions. And let Your Majesty issue and sign this law so it cannot be changed, a law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.” So King Darius signed the law.
But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. The officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. So they went back to the king and reminded him about his law. “Did you not sign a law that for the next thirty days anyone who prays to anyone, divine or human – except to Your Majesty – will be thrown to the lions?”
“Yes,” the king replied, “that decision stands; it is a law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.”
Then they told the king, “That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is paying no attention to you or your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.”
Hearing this, the king was very angry with himself for signing the law, and he tried to find a way to save Daniel. He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of this predicament. In the evening the men went together to the king and said, “Your Majesty knows that according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, no law that the king signs can be changed.”
So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of the lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you worship continually, rescue you.” A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel from the lions. Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night.
Very early the next morning, the king hurried out to the lions’ den. When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you worship continually, able to rescue you from the lions?”
Daniel answered, “Long live the king! My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.”
The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him because he had trusted in his God. Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den.
Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world:
“Peace and prosperity to you!”
“I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel.
For he is the living God,
And he will endure forever.
His kingdom will never be destroyed,
And his rule will never end.
He rescues and saves his people:
He performs miraculous signs and wonders
In the heavens and on earth.
He has rescued Daniel
From the power of the lions.”
So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.