"Do You Love Me More Than These?" -KEEP SECULAR WORK IN ITS PROPER PLACE

To Peter, fishing was more than a mere hobby-it was his livelihood. Family heads today recognized that they have a Scriptural responsibility to provide for their family's material needs.  (1 Timothy 5:8) They must work hard to fulfill this obligation. However, in these last days, secular work is often a source of anxiety. 

As a result of fierce competition for a limited number of jobs, many employees feel compelled to work more hours, sometimes for less pay.  Also, the constant push for increased production takes a  heavy toll  on people physically,mentally, and emotionally. Employees who are unwilling to make such sacrifices for their company risk losing their jobs. 

As Christians, we owe our primary loyalty to God, not to our employer.  (Luke 10:27) Secular work is simply a means to an end. We work to provide our basic material needs and to support our ministry. If we are not careful, however, secular work could interfere with out worship. For example, a brother in Thailand related:  "My secular work of repairing computers was very interesting, but it involved working long hours. As a result, it left me almost no time for spiritual matters. I finally realized that in order to put Kingdom interests first, I needed to change my line of work." What did this brother do? 

Next time: "Do You Love Me More Than These?" -Conclusion of KEEP SECULAR WORK IN ITS PROPER PLACE

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