DECISIONS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Galatians 6:7-8).

Lesson 5: BEING A GOOD PROVIDER AND A GOOD EMPLOYEE

Earlier, this lesson was meant for young men in the church, but it is also a lesson that young ladies need to learn so they can understand the role each man must take—in his physical family as well as in the family of God. She should be a willing participant and one who is a helpmeet and not a hindrance to his work. Being able to understand and support his position is paramount to having a good relationship in the family unit.

A man must work to provide for himself. He should not “free load” on others or depend on others to provide his living. The Apostle Paul told the Thessalonians, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thess 3:10). Right in the beginning of the chapter, Paul is admonishing them to behave in such a manner as not to bring shame on the church. In today’s welfare society, there are many men who have no intentions of ever earning an honest living. They seem to think that from the time they are born, someone else owes them a living. This is a very great shame for them and their families whether they think so or not. Honest, sincere Christians are supposed to “withdraw themselves” from any man who will not work. Paul himself did not behave so as to bring shame on the church. He worked with his hands to build tents even when he could easily have demanded money from Christians preaching the gospel to them. Many lazy men will do nothing but cause trouble and be busybodies in the community. They have nothing better to do because they are not gainfully employed. Hard work never killed anyone. Hard work is an honor, not a dishonor to the individual.

A man should be a provider for his own family. In the context of teaching Christian ethics to all age groups, the Apostle Paul told Timothy, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (1 Timothy 5:8). This is a pretty strong warning for the men in the church. Each male must consider who he is responsible for, whether it is an aged mother and father, his wife and children or even an aged aunt. He has to find a way to provide food, clothing and shelter for these people who are dependent upon him.

He is to work to give to others who are in need. “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Ephesians 4:28). Even though our government has generally made it very convenient for the poor to have their basic necessities met, there are still some people who are very needy. Sometimes, these people may be in temporary hardship, but quite often there are those who will never be able to provide for themselves. They may be orphaned children, the aged, or mentally incompetent, or even the sickly folk. If a Christian man does what he is supposed to do, he will be able to give a portion of what he earns to those who need help. Christian women should understand that this is required of their husbands or fathers and not expect them to spend everything they earn for the immediate family.

He is to work to give to the church—actually to the Lord. “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Husbands, fathers and all adult men should put this duty foremost in their plans every week or at least every time they get paid. Wives should not begrudge what they “lay by in store” for the Lord. If there is a true union between husband and wife, the weekly contribution to the Lord’s work can be a joint gift bringing joy and blessing to them as a unit. The wife should rejoice that she has a part with her ‘partner’ in laying up treasure in heaven. She receives as much credit with the Lord as he does, if she has a willing heart (2 Cor 8:12).

As an employee (servant), a Christian man is to be obedient with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as unto Christ. And remember that employers (masters) have responsibilities also. “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; Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him” (Ephesians 6:5-9). It is so easy to bad-mouth the boss and disrespect him if there is not a strong reason not to do so. Men who do not respect their employers do not respect the one who gave them the position. Employees have to remember they are serving the employer just as if they were serving Jesus himself.

What we are seeing is that a man has the role, and a responsibility of working to be a provider. Consider seriously what decisions might directly or indirectly affect this role. Some decisions might involve how diligent we are in the things we undertake, how faithful or trustworthy, how good a student, how hard a worker, how conscientious. “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons” (Colossians 3:22-25). No one likes to lose his freedom, but that is exactly what happens when we accept a position of employment. We now do the will of the earthly master whether we agree with his judgment or not. We can rebel, but the Lord warns us that what we do to the earthly master, we are doing to the one who gave him authority over us (Rom 13:1-2). On the other hand, when we willingly submit ourselves to our earthly employer, but in reality understand that we are submitting to our Creator and Lord, it is much easier to give willing service. Jesus promises to reward us for all of our willing service. In a real sense, the husband is in authority over the wife, and if she submits to the husband, understanding that she is actually submitting to the one who gave the authority to her husband, Jesus promises he will reward her as she serves Him.

How will we prepare ourselves to be a provider, what schooling, what trade, where will we live, etc.? Will our spouse be in agreement with our decisions and will she/he support us in our position as a Christian provider? All these responsibilities will affect our daily decisions.

BEING A SERVANT IN THE CHURCH

From the beginning, God has set different ones in the church. “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:27-31). Even though the days of miracles are past, we know that the principle of having different members do different jobs is still there. We need each and every part working together to build the body and edify the believers.

Essentially everyone has some place, role or part. Even the more feeble, uncomely and less “honourable” are necessary and worthy of much honor. I have known Downs Syndrome or mentally retarded men who were at least able to wait on the Lord’s Table each week. These feeble folk took that responsibility seriously.

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another (1 Corinthians 12:14-25).

There are many members, many offices and differing gifts. “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness (Romans 12:4-8).

A man could be an evangelist, a pastor (elder) or a teacher. There are many other places of service such as deacon, Bible class teacher, song leader or prayer leader, etc. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11). We should all be zealous to seek to excel in edifying the fellow members of Jesus’ Body (1 Cor 14:12).No matter what his position in the church, he needs to be diligent and faithful to follow the pattern laid down for these positions and do his work well. His priority should be to qualify for those positions in order to edify the body of Christ—the church.

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Questions for Lesson 5:

(Remember to answer the questions in a different color and copy/paste the questions and answers together in an email message. Please do not send your answers as attachments).

Part A

Please give full sentence answers. Sometimes more than one sentence will be required. Each answer will be worth 5 points.

1. Why do ladies need to study the responsibilities of men in the church?

2. What is wrong with being lazy and letting someone else feed you?

3. What is wrong with not providing for yourself and your family?

4. Why should you work to give to the poor?

5. Why do you need to give to the church (to the Lord)?

6. If the wife does not work outside the home, does she really have any part in the giving?

7. Is there any reason for you to respect your employer?

8. If you are an employer, how should you treat your employees?

9. Should the “feeble folk” be given a job to do in the church?

10. Is the office of deacon or elder supposed to be for honor (the praise of men) or for service to the church? Explain.

Part B.

Fill in the blanks with the correct word or phrase. Most of the time I am asking for a scripture reference. Each answer will be worth 5 points.

1. _______________ tells us that if a man does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

2. “…if any would not work, neither should he eat.” ______________

3. Each employee should obey the “master” as they would obey Christ _______________

4. Each man is to put something aside to give on the first day of the week ______________

5. Each person is to seek to excel in edifying the body of Christ. ______________

6. Every adult man in the church should work with his hands so that he may have something to give to anyone in need ______________.

7. How do we know that each position is given according to the grace shown by Christ? __________

8. Masters (employers) should not threaten, remembering they also have a master in Heaven ________.

9. We know from _____________ that even the feeble folk have a place in the body of Christ.

10. What scripture tells us everyone has a different position in the church? _____________