The History of Work ... & Redemption

A friend of mine recently blogged about "meaning" in our working lives. Rather than post a massive comment, I thought I would post a blog instead ;)

Its interesting that "Generation Y" (generally those born after 1980) are recognised as have far different working values than "Gen X" and the "baby boomers". These include having little 'company loyalty' for life, and are quite altruistic, with a desire for real meaning in their paid work.

What is even more interesting, is how this whole concept of work-with-purpose ties into the history of the world, and redemption through Jesus Christ.

Paul makes a very politically-incorrect statement in 2 Thess 3:10! "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat". This actually links right back to the fall of mankind.

In the Garden of Eden, all required food was brought forth for Adam & Eve to enjoy without toil. However, after the fall, God effectively says that the only way man-kind will eat is by hard-toil.

Just imagine for a moment, however, Adam and his descendants. Initially, they probably were all farming themselves – tending flocks, tilling the ground, and probably at night trying to prepare enough shelter.

However, after a while, someone probably said something like “I will build you a dwelling/house, in exchange for a given amount of food”.

If you think about it, this is the foundation of the global economy! EVERY person is having to work for food & shelter, or else perishing. Whether that be a professional working in a high-rise building, to an African tribe hunting for the whole day, trying to find food – everyone is, at the end of the day, doing the same thing.

However, when we are redeemed by Christ, are we are no longer simply working to exist? I believe that when we become Christ’s, EVERYTHING in our life comes into subjection to Him … and can be redeemed to be used for His Kingdom purposes.

Many Christians think that ‘to work for Christ’, however, means serving in a church organisation. WRONG! I suspect that there are A LOT of God’s people who are working in church-based organisations who are not in their God-given calling! Through-out history, God has placed His people in the system of the world to usher in God’s rule into given situations (eg, Joseph, Daniel, Esther, Paul). We are not to confuse being “set apart” as locking ourselves into a building – we are called to go into the world!

I might be controversial in saying that unfortunately, I think a number of churches have mixed up going into the world with bringing the world into the church. There’s a great saying: the ship in the sea is a useful thing; the sea in the ship is a problem.

What is your calling? What is your God-given mission for your short stay here on earth?

For some reason, Joel chapter 2 seems a way of summing up (these are versus 7, 8, 9):

They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:
Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.