Title: Wisdom for good work
Text: Proverbs 16:1-3
Date: April 29, 2007 Sunday Day Worship
There was a person who was good at criticizing a certain church. “The modern church is too busy. A more important relationship is being jeopardized by work. Relationships are more important than work. The church should be a place of rest, not a place of work.” It was a reasonable criticism. The church boldly accepted his criticism. He encouraged them to focus on relationships instead of work, and encouraged them to enjoy ample rest. It was well received. Those who criticized the church in the meantime liked it the most. But after a while his criticism began again. “The church is so dirty~ We need order in the parking lot. I wish the food I ate was a little more fulfilling.”
Someone has to do it. In the church, there are as many people who work behind the scenes as there are those who work on the things that are visible. Because there are people who work silently, we can take a break and have fellowship. Do you want to do a good job? If you want to do a good job, focus on the text. In order to do a good job, you need the following wisdom.
First, you need to make a plan (verse 1).
“The plans of the heart belong to men, but the answers of their words come from the Lord.” “Plans are made by men, but the Lord makes decisions” (KJV). There are people who misunderstand this statement. This is mainly a misunderstanding. “You don't have to plan. The Lord knows everything. Making a plan can be against God.” All of these thoughts and claims are misleading. Planning is biblical. You have to plan and work. God makes a long-term plan and executes it. , “He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him in love, by his good pleasure he predestined us to be his sons through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:4 -5). The Bible is a book that contains God's plan. God's plan revealed in the Bible was long-term, detailed, and complete. To do things well, you have to plan like God.
One important thing should not be missed. I make plans, but God makes the decisions. You must be able to put down any plans that God does not approve of. Paul was a deliberate minister. At least two plans didn't go as planned. The path of missionary work in Asia Minor was not opened. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit forbids it. The Holy Spirit showed us the vision of the Macedonian mission through a vision. Sharing his experiences with his co-workers, he decided to follow the Holy Spirit who gave him the Macedonian missionary vision. During this process, he laid down his plans. Another thing that didn't go according to his plan. He tried several times for the Roman missions, but the road did not open. The Lord's plan was different from his plan. The Lord planned Rome as Paul's last ministry, and he planned to preach the gospel to them under the protection of special people (protesters) with a special status (convicts). Paul naturally accepted the Lord's plan. We plan well, but always be ready to let go. To do this, you must have a close relationship with God.
Second, we must be worthy before God (v. 2).
“All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord searches the soul.” People cannot see anything but what they see. But God sees through the heart (inner heart) of those who do the Lord's work. He sees through whether you are doing it out of love or by competition. He sees through whether you do it out of gratitude or complaining and grumbling. He sees through the motive and purpose of working. There are cases where it fails even if there is no problem in appearance. At this time, you need to check the motive and purpose of the center.
Three masons were working on the construction site of the temple. The first person was carving stones while lamenting, “You have to suffer because you didn’t learn anything!” The second was cutting stones for a day's wages. He worked, complaining that wages were not enough. The third man cut the stone with pride in building the temple of God. He worked with pleasure. Who's path will prosper?
A couple lives in conflict. “We don’t fit in.” I go to various seminars and try my best, but I don't feel refreshed. Fortunately, they have not split and are still living. I have lived in conflict for over 10 years. I will continue to live like this for a long time to come. How wonderful would it be to live with joy, gratitude, and satisfaction rather than living like that?
There is no perfect couple, no perfect church, no perfect job. When it comes to sweets, they all look the same. The shelf life of love is said to be 18-30 months, and the church is 2-3 years. It's been a while, but it's good if it's okay The Bible says that if you have a contented heart, you are grateful and that there is progress in your faith (1 Timothy 6:6). People with a high satisfaction index (those who are easily satisfied) manage their families well, resolve conflicts easily, and have a smooth work life. Let's not grumble, complain, or conflict while working! It is not a blessing to the kingdom of God and to me. Thank you and serve! Whether you are doing church work or worldly work, if you have this attitude, you will prosper. God not only looks at the outward attitude of working, but also the inside attitude. You can do well if it is worthy in God's sight.
Third, we must leave it to God (verse 3).
“Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans will come to pass.” What does it mean to leave it to God here? This is not to say that it is safe to not work. It means doing your best while praying. It means giving the initiative to God. It means doing your best and leaving the results to God. If you have entrusted it to God, you should not have any doubts even if the process is difficult. Even if the result is not good, you should know that it is also a process and not be shaken. God who works together for good always gives good results.
Fanny Jane Crosby has written many hymns. She was raised by a trusting grandmother and mother. However, due to physical suffering, he became blind. So, I resented the world, resented my parents, and grumbled against God. Then one day I had a dream. As her beloved and respected teacher died, she asked: “Fanny, will you meet me in heaven?” She jumped out of bed. I had that dream and I was in trouble. “Can I really go to heaven?”