Christian Principles in Earning a Living

GOLDEN TEXT: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” —Colossians 3:23

LUKE 12:22-31; I THESSALONIANS 4:10-12

THE Common Version translation of Jesus’ instruction, “Take no thought for your life,” does not convey the exact meaning. His admonition was not to be overanxious concerning the material things of life. His disciples are to “seek first the kingdom of God,” with the assurance that their material need will be supplied according to the Lord’s own appraisal of those needs.—Matt. 6:33

Following in the footsteps of Jesus is a way of sacrifice. The rich young ruler was invited to sell his holdings and give to the poor. (Matt. 19:16-26; Luke 18:18-27) The apostles gave up their former vocations in order to devote themselves to the new vocation of following the Master. Basically the Christian life is one of full-time service to the Lord. When we consecrate ourselves to the Lord and to the doing of his will, it means that we place all that we have and are at his disposal.

The Lord does not take our material possessions away from us all at once. Instead, he expects us to use them in his service, and in keeping with his providential overrulings in our lives. Husbands have obligations to their wives, and wives to their husbands. Parents have obligations to their children; and where need exists, children to their parents. It is the Lord’s will that we meet these obligations as well as circumstances will permit. Paul wrote that those who do not provide for their own are worse than unbelievers.—I Tim. 5:8

By the Lord’s gracious arrangements, our labors on behalf of those justly dependent upon us can be considered as unto him. As our Golden Text explains, we are to do all “heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” However, as our lesson points out, we are not to be overly anxious concerning these material obligations. They are not the chief concern of life. Nor should we expect to satisfy our material needs without effort.

If we are farmers, we must sow seed if we expect to reap a crop of food. If we are in business, we must take proper care of the business. If we are wage earners, we must render a just day’s work. But all of this is to be done as unto the Lord, and with the full assurance that he will bless our efforts in keeping with his own wisdom and love. Because of this assurance, we are not to worry about the material aspects of life, knowing that he who so lovingly cares for the ravens and the sparrows is abundantly able to care for us.

As we have noted, our chief concern as dedicated followers of the Master is to seek the kingdom of God. Here the reference is to the rulership aspect of God’s kingdom. During the Millennial Age the whole world of mankind will be blessed as subjects of that kingdom; but during the present Gospel Age the Lord is seeking a people from the world who are willing to give up all.

Seeking the kingdom implies the use of our time, strength, and means to the fullest extent possible in the Lord’s cause. It calls for study of the Bible, that we might become better acquainted with the plans and purposes of God, and the manner in which we can co-operate in them. It calls for fellowship with others of “like precious faith” for mutual instruction and encouragement. And we are to remember that we are “witnesses unto Jesus,” and, as such, are to bear testimony concerning him and the important role he has in the divine plan of the ages.—II Pet. 1:1; Acts 1:8

The Apostle Peter wrote that we are to add to our faith virtue, knowledge, self-control (translated temperance in the Common Version), patience, godliness, or piety, brotherly kindness, and charity, or love. If these things be in us and abound, Peter wrote, we will not be barren (margin, Gr. idle) or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. To this he adds, “If ye do these things, ye shall never fall, for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”—II Pet. 1:4-11

The Apostle Paul likens seeking the kingdom to running for a prize, the “prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:8-14) Paul explained that to him this prize was so important that all things of a material nature, and the plaudits of men, he considered as loss and dross by comparison. This should be the viewpoint of every dedicated follower of the Master. Let us indeed “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.”—Matt. 6:33

QUESTIONS

Are we to understand from our lesson that Christians are to give no thought at all to their material needs?

How are we to view everything which we do in life?

What is the “kingdom” for which we seek, and how do we seek for it?

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