How 1 Timothy Chapter 6 Can Be Applied to Our Work - Conclusion
Today we'll finish up our mini-series on "How 1 Timothy Chapter 6 Can Be Applied to Our Work."
Our last post focused on what you shouldn't do. Now let's move on to positive suggestions contained in this passage of Scripture.
"But thou, O man of God, fly these things: and pursue justice, godliness, faith, charity, patience, mildness."
Practicing these virtues on the job will establish a sound and spiritual relationship to our work, as well as to the people we work with and for.
Justice requires that we give both our work and those we work with (co-workers) and for (boss) their fair due. Do your best work. Treat others fairly.
Godliness should characterize all our thoughts, words, and actions. You don't have to walk around preaching what Our Lord taught us in the Gospels. But our thoughts, words, and actions should reflect all that He taught.
Our Faith helps us to trust in God. Yes, we want to work hard and smart such that our results are in line with expectations, goals, objectives, etc. But we should realize that, in the end, results depend on God - on what He wants for us. That means that we may not always succeed as we would wish. We may fail in our efforts from time to time. But Faith helps us to accept that such is God's Will. That doesn't cause us to ease up on our efforts. It just reminds us that our efforts do not guarantee success. Since God looks to our efforts, rather then whether we achieved success, we can spiritually rest easy, even as we strive to improve.
Charity pertains to how we treat others. This entails not only patience and kindness, but also generosity with our time and money.
Patience helps us tolerate behavior in others that either bothers or annoys us. It also helps us to be slow to criticize mistakes others make. Since none of us is perfect, it really behooves us all to be more patient with others.
Mildness enhances patience. One who is mild does not exhibit aggressive behavior - either in words or actions. It tempers those of us who can tend to be severe in our reactions to others flaws and foibles.
All good, practical suggestions that in addition to advancing our spiritual progress, would help not only promote a more calm, peaceful workplace, but also enhance productivity.
So we see that Scripture here has supplied some good ground-level workday tips that anyone of any faith - or even someone with no religious affiliation at all - could follow and reasonably expect a measurable benefit. But, to assure that we have our priorities straight, our Scripture passage immediately raises our gaze from the worldly directly to the spiritual:
"Fight the good fight of faith: lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called, and has confessed a good confession before many witnesses."
If we're serious Christians, our hearts and minds should always be focused on our faith and our eternal life. With our hearts and minds in the right place, our work can serve these ends when we pursue our duties diligently, and provide good example to all around us.
The passage concludes with one more warning directed at the rich - those who have achieved a modicum (or more) of material success as a result of their labors:
"Charge the rich of this world not to be highminded, nor to trust in the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God (who giveth us abundantly all things to enjoy). To do good, to be rich in good works, give easily, to communicate to others, To lay up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the true life..."
The riches of this world in no way compare with those we accrue to the benefit of our soul. When the time comes for us to enter eternal life, we leave our bodies and our possessions behind. But, trusting in God, keeping His commandments, loving God and neighbor, build a foundation that prepares us for eternity.
Our work retains a central place of importance in our lives, but not primarily in our efforts to be successful at whatever we do. More important - most important - are our efforts to do the best we can for the greater glory of God. We grow closer to God with such an effort, surely far more satisfying than any personal success.
Our last post focused on what you shouldn't do. Now let's move on to positive suggestions contained in this passage of Scripture.
"But thou, O man of God, fly these things: and pursue justice, godliness, faith, charity, patience, mildness."
Practicing these virtues on the job will establish a sound and spiritual relationship to our work, as well as to the people we work with and for.
Justice requires that we give both our work and those we work with (co-workers) and for (boss) their fair due. Do your best work. Treat others fairly.
Godliness should characterize all our thoughts, words, and actions. You don't have to walk around preaching what Our Lord taught us in the Gospels. But our thoughts, words, and actions should reflect all that He taught.
Our Faith helps us to trust in God. Yes, we want to work hard and smart such that our results are in line with expectations, goals, objectives, etc. But we should realize that, in the end, results depend on God - on what He wants for us. That means that we may not always succeed as we would wish. We may fail in our efforts from time to time. But Faith helps us to accept that such is God's Will. That doesn't cause us to ease up on our efforts. It just reminds us that our efforts do not guarantee success. Since God looks to our efforts, rather then whether we achieved success, we can spiritually rest easy, even as we strive to improve.
Charity pertains to how we treat others. This entails not only patience and kindness, but also generosity with our time and money.
Patience helps us tolerate behavior in others that either bothers or annoys us. It also helps us to be slow to criticize mistakes others make. Since none of us is perfect, it really behooves us all to be more patient with others.
Mildness enhances patience. One who is mild does not exhibit aggressive behavior - either in words or actions. It tempers those of us who can tend to be severe in our reactions to others flaws and foibles.
All good, practical suggestions that in addition to advancing our spiritual progress, would help not only promote a more calm, peaceful workplace, but also enhance productivity.
So we see that Scripture here has supplied some good ground-level workday tips that anyone of any faith - or even someone with no religious affiliation at all - could follow and reasonably expect a measurable benefit. But, to assure that we have our priorities straight, our Scripture passage immediately raises our gaze from the worldly directly to the spiritual:
"Fight the good fight of faith: lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called, and has confessed a good confession before many witnesses."
If we're serious Christians, our hearts and minds should always be focused on our faith and our eternal life. With our hearts and minds in the right place, our work can serve these ends when we pursue our duties diligently, and provide good example to all around us.
The passage concludes with one more warning directed at the rich - those who have achieved a modicum (or more) of material success as a result of their labors:
"Charge the rich of this world not to be highminded, nor to trust in the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God (who giveth us abundantly all things to enjoy). To do good, to be rich in good works, give easily, to communicate to others, To lay up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the true life..."
The riches of this world in no way compare with those we accrue to the benefit of our soul. When the time comes for us to enter eternal life, we leave our bodies and our possessions behind. But, trusting in God, keeping His commandments, loving God and neighbor, build a foundation that prepares us for eternity.
Our work retains a central place of importance in our lives, but not primarily in our efforts to be successful at whatever we do. More important - most important - are our efforts to do the best we can for the greater glory of God. We grow closer to God with such an effort, surely far more satisfying than any personal success.
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