The document discusses the role of work from a Christian perspective. It argues that work is a gift from God, not a curse from the Fall. All legitimate work has spiritual value to God, not just "Christian" work. The Bible shows Jesus spending most of his time in the marketplace. As marketplace Christians, we should pursue excellence, act ethically, and edify others in our work. We must also avoid becoming workaholics and maintain balance.

1. Good morning!

2. 1. Marketplace Misunderstood
2. Marketplace and the Bible
3. Marketplace Christian

3. 1. Marketplace Misunderstood

5. 2. Marketplace
Misunderstood
Work is part of the curse
after the Fall
Work is a gift from God

6. Work is a
gift from God
 Work is a gift from God – Eccl
3:13; 5:18-19
 God Himself is a Worker – Gen
2:2
 God commends & commands
work long after the Fall – Gen 9:1-
7; Col 3:23; 1 Thess 4:11

7. Work is a
gift from God
“Work is a
consequence of
creation; not the
fall; the fall has
aggravated the
problems without
John Stott
destroying its joys”

11. 2. Marketplace
Misunderstood
Only Christian work has
any real spiritual value
All legitimate work has
essential value to God

12. “Sacred” vs “Secular”
Work
 Gnosticism & Greek’s dualism
view
 All of life is to lived under Christ’s
lordship – Colossians 3:17
 What matters is our intention /
motivation

13. 1. Marketplace Misunderstood
2. Marketplace and the Bible

14. • Jesus made 132 public appearances in
New Testament - 122 were in the
marketplace
• Jesus told 52 parables - 45 had a
marketplace context
• The book of Acts recorded 40 divine
interventions - 39 were in the marketplace
• Jesus’ first 12 disciples were marketplace
individuals, not clergymen

15. 1. Marketplace Misunderstood
2. Marketplace and the Bible
3. Marketplace Christian

16. 3. Marketplace
Christian
 Excellence
 Ethical
 Edifying

17. 3. Marketplace Christian
Excellence
Colossians 3:23 Ephesians 6:7
“Whatever you do, “Serve
work at it with all wholeheartedly,
your heart, as as if you were
working for the Lord, serving the Lord,
not for human not men”
masters”

18. NOT 100% Commitment …

19. 3. Marketplace Christian
Ethical
Colossians 3:22 “Slaves, obey your
earthly masters in everything; and do it,
not only when their eye is on you and to
curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart
and reverence for the Lord ”
Colossians 4:1 “Masters, be just and fair
to your slaves. Remember that you also
have a Master - in heaven”

20. “My grandfather once
told me there are two
kinds of people,
those who do the
work and those who
take the credit.
Try to be in the first
Indira Gandhi group - there is less
competition.”

22. 3. Marketplace Christian
Edify
1 Cor 10:23
“All things are lawful for me, but not all
things are helpful; all things are lawful
for me, but not all things edify.”

23. Are you a workaholic?
Proverbs 23:4
“Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
have the wisdom to show restraint.”

24. Are you a workaholic?
Rick Warren
“How to keep your
profession from
being an
obsession”

25. Are you a workaholic?
1. Are you always in a hurry?
2. Does your “To Do” list have more in it
than you can accomplish in a single
day?
3. Does doing nothing drive you up a wall?
4. Do you find it difficult to say “No” to
opportunities?
5. Do you feel guilty when you relax?

26. Are you a workaholic?
6. Do you frequently find it difficult to turn
your mind off at night when you go to
bed?
7. Do people around you tell you, you
ought to slow down?
8. Do you procrastinate about taking
vacations?
9. Do you have to get sick to slow down?
10. Do you ever take business related
reading material into the bathroom?

27. 3. Marketplace
Christian
 Excellence
 Ethical
 Edifying

28. 1. Marketplace Misunderstood
2. Marketplace and the Bible
3. Marketplace Christian

30. Bill Bright Loren Francis
Cunningham Schaeffer