Biblical Wealth Principles
 
Chapter - 6
 
 
Work is God-given & is the Antidote of Poverty
 
Introduction
God has given us work, to keep us happy and out of poverty. Work need not be a burden but can be completely satisfying and fulfilling, if we understand the Lord's purpose of work. In this Lesson, we will explore the biblical perspective of Work.
 
Work, the Antidote of Poverty
 
1. God asked Adam to Work (Tend the garden)
  1. Work was given as a mandate, to Adam. Adam was asked to work, take dominion and bring everything under subjection. Adam was called to tend the garden.
    1. Gen 2:15. Njtdhfpa fu;j;ju; kD\id VNjd; Njhl;lj;jpy; mioj;Jf;nfhz;L te;J> mijg; gz;gLj;jTk; fhf;fTk; itj;jhu;.
      And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
  2. Soon after the fall, Adam's work just became more difficult. The ground brought thorns and thistles and for the same food, he had to work harder. We believe that the curse is taken away in Jesus Christ.
    1. Gen 3:17. gpd;G mtu; Mjhik Nehf;fp: eP cd; kidtpapd; thu;j;ijf;Fr; nrtpnfhLj;J> Grpf;fNtz;lhk; vd;W ehd; cdf;F tpyf;fpd tpUl;rj;jpd; fdpiag; Grpj;jgbapdhNy> G+kp cd; epkpj;jk; rgpf;fg;gl;bUf;Fk;; eP capNuhbUf;Fk; ehnsy;yhk; tUj;jj;NjhNl mjpd; gyidg; Grpg;gha;.
      And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
    2. 18. mJ cdf;F Ks;Sk; FUf;Fk; Kisg;gpf;Fk;; ntspapd; gapu;tiffisg; Grpg;gha;.
      Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
  3. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law and the curse is reversed when we receive Christ into our hearts.
    1. Gal 3:13. kuj;jpNy J}f;fg;gl;l vtDk; rgpf;fg;gl;ltd; vd;W vOjpapUf;fpwgb> fpwp];J ekf;fhfr; rhgkhfp> epahag;gpukhzj;jpd; rhgj;jpw;F ek;ik ePq;fyhf;fp kPl;Lf;nfhz;lhu;.
      Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
  4. Obedience to God brings blessing. When we obey God, God will multiply our seed and bring wealth on our way.
    1. Genesis 26:12. <rhf;F me;jj; Njrj;jpy; tpij tpijj;jhd;; fu;j;ju; mtid MrPu;tjpj;jjpdhy; me;j tU\j;jpy; E}Wklq;F gyd; mile;jhd;;
      Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.
    2. 13. mtd; IRtupathdhfp> tutu tpUj;jpaile;J> kfh ngupatdhdhd;.
      And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great.
 
2. The law requires us to work six days a week
  1. The Mosaic law commands us to work six days a week. Work is a means to eliminate poverty. An extra $100 a week, can bring a monthly saving of $400, and an yearly saving of $4000, and within 20 years, it can be a huge saving of $80,000, more than enough to pay for college tuition.
    1. Exodus 20:9. MWehSk; eP Ntiynra;J> cd; fpupiafisnay;yhk; elg;gpg;ghahf
      Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
    2. 10. Vohk;ehNsh cd; Njtdhfpa fu;j;jUila Xa;Tehs;; mjpNy ePahdhYk;> cd; FkhudhdhYk;> cd; Fkhuj;jpahdhYk;> cd; Ntiyf;fhudhdhYk;> cd; Ntiyf;fhupahdhYk;> cd; kpUf [PtdhdhYk;> cd; thry;fspy; ,Uf;fpw me;epadhdhYk;> ahnjhU NtiyAk; nra;aNtz;lhk;.
      But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
  2. In the New Testament, St. Paul exhorts us to work diligently and be shun all laziness.
    1. II njrNyhdpf;Nfau; 3:10. xUtd; Ntiynra;a kdjpy;yhjpUe;jhy; mtd; rhg;gplTk; $lhnjd;W ehq;fs; cq;fsplj;jpy; ,Ue;jNghJ cq;fSf;Ff; fl;lisapl;NlhNk.
      For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
    2. 11. cq;fspy; rpyu; ahnjhU NtiyAk; nra;ahky;> tPz; mYtw;fhuuha;> xOq;fw;Wj; jpupfpwhu;fnsd;W Nfs;tpg;gLfpNwhk;.
      For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
    3. 2. ,g;gbg;gl;ltu;fs; mikjNyhNl Ntiynra;J> jq;fs; nrhe;jr; rhg;ghl;ilr; rhg;gplNtz;Lnkd;W> ek;Kila fu;j;juhfpa ,NaRfpwp];JtpdhNy mtu;fSf;Ff; fl;lisapl;Lg; Gj;jpnrhy;YfpNwhk;.
      Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
 
3. The Lord is involved in our work
  1. The Lord provides us with the ability to work. Without God, it is impossible to make wealth.
    1. ahj;jpuhfkk; 35:30. gpd;G NkhNr ,];uNty; Gj;jpuiu Nehf;fp: ghUq;fs;> fu;j;ju; A+jhtpd; Nfhj;jpuj;jpy; Cupd; kfdhd Cupapd; Fkhud; ngrnyNaiyg; Ngu;nrhy;yp mioj;J>
      And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;
    2. 31. mtd; tprpj;jpukhd Ntiyfis Nahrpj;Jr; nra;aTk;> nghd;dpYk; nts;spapYk; ntz;fyj;jpYk; Ntiynra;aTk;>
      And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
    3. 32. ,uj;jpdq;fis Kj;jpiu ntl;lhf ntl;bg; gjpf;fTk;> kuj;jpy; rpj;jpu Ntiy nra;J rfy tpNehjkhd Ntiyfisr; nra;aTk;>
      And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
    4. 33. mtDf;F Qhdj;ijAk; Gj;jpiaAk; mwpitAk; mUsp> mtd; rfytpj NtiyfisAk; nra;Ak;gb NjtMtpapdhNy mtid epug;gpdhu;.
      And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.
    5. 34. mtd; ,Ujaj;jpYk;> jhz;Nfhj;jpuj;J mfprhkhfpd; Fkhudhfpa mNfhypahgpd; ,Ujaj;jpYk;> Nghjpf;Fk; tuj;ijAk; mUspdhu;.
      And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.
    6. 35. rpj;jpuNtiyiaAk; rpw;gNtiyiaAk;> ,sePyE}yhYk; ,uj;jhk;guE}yhYk; rptg;GE}yhYk; nky;ypa gQ;RE}yhYk; nra;ag;gLk; tprpj;jpuj; ijay;NtiyiaAk;> rfy tprpj;jpu nerT NtiyfisAk; tpNehjkhd Ntiyfis A+fpf;fpwtu;fSk; nra;fpwtu;fSk; epiwNtw;Wk; rfytpj NtiyfisAk; nra;Ak;gbf;F mtu;fSila ,Ujaj;ij Qhdj;jpdhy; epug;gpdhu; vd;whd;.
      Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.
  2. God gives everyone the power to make weath. We should always lean on God for wisdom, power and might to do His work.
    1. cghfkk; 8:18. cd; Njtdhfpa fu;j;jiu epidg;ghahf; mtNu cd; gpjhf;fSf;F Mizapl;Lf;nfhLj;j jk;Kila cld;gbf;ifia cWjpg;gLj;Jk;gb> ,e;ehspy; cdf;F cz;lhapUf;fpwJNghy> IRtupaj;ijr; rk;ghjpf;fpwjw;fhd ngyid cdf;Ff; nfhLf;fpwtu;.
      But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
  3. The Lord also is the one who gives us promotion.
    1. rq;fPjk; 75:6. fpof;fpYk; Nkw;fpYk; tdhe;ju jpirapYkpUe;J n[ak; tuhJ.
      For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
    2. NjtNd epahahjpgjp; xUtidj; jho;j;jp> xUtid cau;j;Jfpwhu;.
      But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
 
4. Work as unto the Lord
  1. Whenever we work, we are not working for men, rather we are working for the Lord. St. Paul exhorts us to work faithfully as unto the Lord.
    1. nfhNyhnrau; 3:22. Ntiyf;fhuNu> ruPuj;jpd;gb cq;fs; v[khd;fshapUf;fpwtu;fSf;F vy;yhf; fhupaj;jpNyAk; fPo;g;gbe;J> ePq;fs; kD\Uf;Fg; gpupakhapUf;f tpUk;Gfpwtu;fshfg; ghu;itf;F CopaQ;nra;ahky;> NjtDf;Fg; gag;gLfpwtu;fshff; fglkpy;yhj ,Ujaj;NjhNl CopaQ;nra;Aq;fs;.
      Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
  2. We must be obedient to our employers and be the best employees of the company, to the best of our ability.
    1. vNgrpau; 6:5. Ntiyf;fhuNu> ePq;fs; fpwp];JTf;Ff; fPo;g;gbfpwJNghy> ruPuj;jpd;gb cq;fs; v[khd;fshapUf;fpwtu;fSf;Fk; gaj;NjhLk; eLf;fj;NjhLk; fglw;w kdNjhLk; fPo;g;gbe;J
      Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
    2. 6. kD\Uf;Fg; gpupakhapUf;f tpUk;Gfpwtu;fshfg; ghu;itf;F CopaQ;nra;ahky;> fpwp];Jtpd; Copaf;fhuuhf> kdg;G+u;tkha; NjtDila rpj;jj;jpd;gb nra;Aq;fs;.
      Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
  3. We must be good to our managers or employers, not only to the good but also to the bad.
    1. I NgJU 2:18. Ntiyf;fhuNu> mjpf gaj;JlNd cq;fs; v[khd;fSf;Ff; fPo;g;gbe;jpUq;fs;; ey;ytu;fSf;Fk; rhe;jFzKs;stu;fSf;Fk; khj;jpuk; my;y> Kul;Lf;FzKs;stu;fSf;Fk; fPo;g;gbe;jpUq;fs;.
      Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
 
5. Working Hard
  1. The word of the Lord exhorts us to work hard and escape idleness in our lives
    1. ePjpnkhopfs; 6:6. Nrhk;NgwpNa> eP vWk;gpdplj;jpy;Ngha;> mjpd; topfisg; ghu;j;J> Qhdj;ijf; fw;Wf;nfhs;.
      Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
    2. 7. mjw;Fg; gpuGTk;> jiytDk;> mjpfhupAk; ,y;yhjpUe;Jk;>
      Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
    3. 8. Nfhilfhyj;jpy; jdf;F Mfhuj;ijr; rk;ghjpj;J> mWg;Gf;fhyj;jpy; jdf;Fj; jhdpaj;ijr; Nru;j;Jitf;Fk;.
      Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
  2. We must not overwork to be rich, but take adequate rest to recuperate from hard work.
    1. ahj;jpuhfkk; 34:21. MWehs; Ntiynra;J> Vohk;ehspNy Xa;e;jpUg;ghahf; tpijg;Gf;fhyj;jpYk; mWg;Gf;fhyj;jpYk; Xa;e;jpUg;ghahf.
      Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.
 
6. Women and Work
  1. Women can work outside home or inside home, but always with the focus on the home
    1. ePjpnkhopfs; 31:15. ,Ul;NlhNl vOe;J jd; tPl;lhUf;F Mfhuq;nfhLj;J> jd; Ntiyf;fhupfSf;Fg; gbasf;fpwhs;.
      She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
  2. Young women were encouraged to be workers at home.
    1. 4. Njttrdk; J}\pf;fg;glhjgbf;F ghypa ];jpuPfs; jq;fs; GU\uplj;jpYk;> jq;fs; gps;isfsplj;jpYk; md;Gs;stu;fSk;>
      That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
    2. 5. njspe;j Gj;jpAs;stu;fSk;> fw;Gs;stu;fSk;> tPl;by; jupj;jpUf;fpwtu;fSk;> ey;ytu;fSk;> jq;fs; GU\Uf;Ff; fPo;g;gbfpwtu;fSkhapUf;Fk;gb> mtu;fSf;Fg; gbg;gpf;fj;jf;f ew;fhupaq;fisg; Nghjpf;fpwtu;fSkhapUf;fTk; Kjpu;taJs;s ];jpuPfSf;Fg; Gj;jpnrhy;Y.
      To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
 
7. What does the bible say about working for or with unbelievers?
  1. It is permissible to work for an employer who does not know Christ, however, any business partnership with an unbeliever is discouraged in the bible.
    1. II nfhupe;jpau; 6:14. me;epa Efj;jpNy mtpRthrpfSld; gpizf;fg;glhjpUg;gPu;fshf; ePjpf;Fk; mePjpf;Fk; rk;ge;jNkJ? xspf;Fk; ,USf;Fk; If;fpaNkJ?
      Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
    2. 15. fpwp];JTf;Fk; NgypahSf;Fk; ,irNtJ? mtpRthrpAlNd tpRthrpf;Fg; gq;NfJ?
      And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
  2. There is no retirement in Christ. We must work for the Lord, as long as God gives us ability to work.
    1. cghfkk; 34:1. gpd;G NkhNr Nkhthgpd; rkdhd ntspfspypUe;J vupNfhTf;F vjpuhd NeNgh kiyapypUf;Fk; gp];fhtpd; nfhLKbapy; Vwpdhd;; mg;nghOJ fu;j;ju; mtDf;F> jhz;kl;LKs;s fPNyahj; Njrk; midj;ijAk;>
      And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan,
    2. 5. mg;gbNa fu;j;jupd; jhrdhfpa NkhNr Nkhthg; Njrkhd mt;tplj;jpNy fu;j;jUila thu;j;ijapd;gbNa kupj;jhd;.
      So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.
    3. 7. NkhNr kupf;fpwNghJ E}w;wpUgJtajhapUe;jhd;; mtd; fz; ,UsilaTkpy;iy> mtd; ngyd; FiwaTkpy;iy.
      And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.
 
Conclusion
We must work for the Lord, all the days of our life, as long as we are able. Work is a means to eliminate poverty. Work is God-given and we must work with delight, as unto the Lord. By understanding the biblical perspective of work, we can be the best employers and/or employees. May the Lord prosper you as you work diligently for Him.