Why We Work | Josh McGuire | Austin CFC | 2020-07-26
Summary
The speaker explores the fundamental question, "Why do we work?" He uses an illustration of a fisherman versus a businessman to argue against making wealth accumulation the primary motivation for labor. The central message is that our motivation for working cannot be serving money; instead, it must align with God's will, as we cannot serve both God and money.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why do we work?Josh introduces the core question of why we labor, using a story about a businessman and a fisherman to set up the discussion.
Do not overwork to be richThe world's motivation for work is usually to gain wealth, but scripture warns us not to overwork for riches or serve the love of money.Proverbs 23:4
Work is not limited to paid employmentWork encompasses more than just a paycheck; it includes home management, homemaking, and unpaid labor like learning a language for missions.
We work because we are hungryA foundational principle of scripture is that if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat.
Spiritual food and nourishmentJust as physical hunger drives physical work, spiritual nourishment comes from doing the will of God, as Jesus explained to His disciples.
Working because our father is workingJesus explains that His father is working until now and He is working also, showing that laboring is part of the heart of God.
Imitating the son who watches the fatherJesus only does what He sees the father doing, giving us an example of aligning our energy and work with God's actions.
Discovery as the third reason we workLooking back at the beginning in Genesis, work started as an act of joyful discovery before sin entered the world.
From Genesis 2 cultivation to Genesis 3 toilBefore the fall, work in the garden was tending and discovering, such as Adam naming the animals God brought to him.
Discovering bad things about ourselvesThrough the workplace, God uses difficult situations to help us discover our tendencies to complain, impatience, and pride, leading us to cleansing in Christ.
Discovering good things and God's faithfulnessGod uses jobs, bosses, and trials to shape us, proving that Romans 8:28-29 and 1 Corinthians 10:13 are entirely true in our lives.
Developing compassion, thankfulness, and readiness for ministryWork gives us real-world perspective, breeds compassion for others, teaches us thankfulness, and prepares us for future ministry.
Recap and conclusion on why we workJosh summarizes that our motivation is not wealth, but to satisfy our hunger, become like our father, and experience discovery as God moves us past the curse.
