I saw a cartoon in Leadership Journal, where a young man was greeting the pastor after the church service. He was carrying a skateboard, had an earring, shorts and T-shirt, and spiked hair in a mohawk. He said to the pastor, "Church is cool . . . the best part was when the dude next to me gave me a plate full of money" (Leadership, Summer 2000). We are going to take the next several weeks to discuss together what the Bible says about money - earning it, spending it, saving it, and sharing it.

In the study series entitled An Ordinary Day with Jesus, John Ortberg and Ruth Haley Barton write, "Doing the right work with the right attitude and the right spirit is immensely important. Because the most important thing you bring home from work is not your paycheck. The most important thing you bring home from work is you" (Zondervan, 2001). The Bible is not all that concerned with strategies to get rich. But it is concerned about the development of your character through your work.

Your work matters. How you earn money matters, as much as what you do with it. How you invest your days matters. Whether you are a CEO or a dishwasher, a mom, or a student, or retired, the Bible has a lot to say about our work, whether it is for pay or not. How you work matters for your spiritual life. No matter what you do, it is an opportunity to make a difference in this world, and to make a difference for Christ. In Christ's eyes, you can be a "success" if you do whatever job you have, for his honor and glory.

Work to provide for your present needs, as well as to prepare for the future (Proverbs 6:6-11; 24:30-34). Don't wait for some miracle, winning the lottery, receiving an inheritance from a relative you didn't know you had. Don't assume that people are successful just because they are lucky. It has been said, "Seems like the harder I work, the luckier I get." Quit waiting for luck to strike, quit waiting for that perfect job, and learn to work. Your future is your responsibility.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 says, "For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: 'If a man will not work, he shall not eat.' We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down [make a commitment] and earn the bread they eat."

If you need help, people will help you, but you need to do what you can do. Galatians 6:2 and 5 give us the balance: "Carry each other's burdens [heavy, unbearable weight], and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ . . . for each one should carry his own load [daily pack]." You do your part, and others will help you.

If you are in need of work and you are diligently looking, keep hanging in there. Be willing to take a cut in pay, if necessary (along with reducing your expenses). If you are willing to work hard and humbly, God will provide something, because it is his will that you provide for your family. Hang in there.

Respect your boss as you would respect Christ himself (Ephesians 6:5). This is a result of the filling of the Spirit, and is consistent with the respect we must show in every relationship (Ephesians 5:21). If you have been changed by the good news of Jesus, it changes how you conduct yourself in social relationships.

1 Peter 2:18-19 says to obey and respect, even if you are not treated well. Let God vindicate you. It says, "Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God."

The principle of respect between a slave and a master is a principle that applies to any working relationship. Fortunately, slavery is not much of an issue these days, and the Bible does not suggest that slavery is OK. But it was a reality that many first-century Christian's found themselves in (on both sides, both slaves and masters). It was a part of the economic landscape of the time. And the principles of the gospel would eventually help people understand that slavery wrong, both for individuals and for societies. If a slave was to willingly respect his master, a free-agent employee ought to respect his boss all the more!

How do you show respect, to your boss, co-workers, those who work for you, to teachers or to students ? We respect others by considering their needs, their perspective, their wishes - what is best for them? What will make things easier for them? As an employee, do what you are told, with a good attitude. Be respectful of your employers time - don't steal it for own use. Conduct yourself with honesty and integrity in your work and relationships.

Bosses are to show respect as well. Ephesians 6:9 gives instructions to those in authority over others. Treat them with respect, because of your respect for the Lord, who is your judge. Don't let your position and authority go to your head. Show respect by treating them fairly and paying them well. Clearly communicate your expectations and help people become their best. Listen to your workers. Colossians 4:1 says, "Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven." Your boss is Christ. Respect him by respecting others.

In our society, you don't have to work very hard to keep your job. It is common for employees to work only 4 real hours for each 8 hour day. But Christians are to be different. We should be the most productive, dedicated employees at our job (without necessarily spending more time on the job).

Notice Paul's instructions in Ephesians 6:6-8 - Work hard, even when you are not being watched (vs. 6); work whole-heartedly, as if you were working for the Lord (vss. 7-8). Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Whatever you do, do your work heartily [put your whole heart in it], as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." Jesus is really your boss.

Give your best, even if the situation is not pleasant (recall 1 Peter 2:18-19). And even if you put in your two-weeks notice, work hard all the way through. If you claim to be a follower of Jesus, people will be watching how you work. Whether you are a teacher, carpenter, mechanic, CEO, salesperson, mother, manager, athlete, student, helper, chef, dishwasher, engineer, babysitter, medical professional, janitor - your job matters to others, and it matters to Christ. Be the best you can be, every day.

Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 says, "Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him - for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work - this is a gift of God."

In a Calvin and Hobbes strip, Calvin comes to Hobbes, his pet tiger, who is lounging in a tree, and says, "Mom wants me to make my bed. Come and help me, OK?" So Hobbes says, "OK." In the next frame, Calvin says to Hobbes, "You get some pencils and I'll get some paper!" "I thought we were making the bed." Calvin replied, "And do all that work?!? No we're going to invent a robot to make the bed for us!" Hobbes in all his wisdom said, "Won't inventing a robot be more work than making the bed?" To which Calvin replied, "It's only work if somebody makes you do it" (Bill Watterson, 8-28-93).

It's great when your job does not feel like work. But I know we spend a lot of time trying to find conveniences to help us avoid work and save time and energy. And it often costs us more time. What we need is a new perspective on work. Work is good, and when we give our work over to God, whatever our work is, he can help us enjoy it, and make the most of it for the benefit of others.

2. Have you ever thought deeply about what you would really like to do with your life (where laziness and doing nothing is not an option)? What did your ideal job look like? Is there a dream in there that you should be pursuing? What is holding you back? When are you going to start pursuing it?

3. Are you a diligent worker when you are at work? If not, list a few strategies you can begin employing today to help you develop better work habits. Is it a motivation issue? Is it because you feel overwhelmed? But instead of using these as excuses, identify some strategies to help you become the kind of worker God wants you to become.