Proverbs 6:6–11; 10:4–5; 16:3 (NLT)

• Def (work): a calling—a God-given opportunity to steward creation and love our neighbors. It’s more than just tasks or earning a wage;
  • It reflects human creativity, responsibility, and contribution to God’s design for flourishing in creation.
  • It includes any constructive activity—paid or unpaid—that contributes to God’s purposes: parenting, studying, volunteering, craftsmanship, leadership, hospitality, etc.

Our work is…

1. Rooted in .

2. A , not just a job .

3. For God’s & neighbor’s good.

4. Impacted by the .

5. .

Wisdom for your work/vocation:

1. Work like an .

Proverbs 6:6–8 (NLT) Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.

2. Protect yourself from .

Proverbs 6:9–11 (NLT) But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit…

Proverbs 10:4–5 (NLT) Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich. A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.

3. Transfer of your work.

Proverbs 16:3 (NLT) Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. Colossians 3:23 (NLT) Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

WHAT NOW?

• Let your work be shaped more by the pleasure of serving God than the pressure of success.

* BEWARE * God is not like your boss.

Because of sin, we often tie our worth to our work—how much we earn, achieve, or prove. But the gospel flips that: Jesus accomplished the work of salvation perfectly, crying “It is finished.” from the cross. Therefore, our identity is secure even before we lift a finger. Now we work not to earn love but because we‘re loved.