A biblical perspective on being a Christian in the workplace and in business

1. The Christian in the
Marketplace
SOLUTIONS LS AUGST 24, 2015

2. Introduction
 Christians are not just Christians in Church or with the Family but also in the marketplace
 How much time do you spend at work?
 At work your, you are tempted and tested
Mark 4 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life,
the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making
it unfruitful.

3. The Situation in the Marketplace
 Money is King!
 What is your measurement of success? Possessions? Job Title? Bottom Line?
 Tendency to take shortcuts ignoring other considerations such as health, safety, dignity, relationships, etc.
 We ascribe our achievements, talents, abilities and competence to ourselves
 So is there no place for a Christian in the Marketplace?
 Can a Christian keep his Holiness intact?
 A Christian in the Marketplace is not a contradiction in terms but it is certainly a challenge
Matthew 19 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to
enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a
needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this,
they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”26 Jesus looked at them and
said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

4. God’s Plan for Us in the Marketplace
 Remember that God’s plan is to save us (John 3:16) . . . Wherever we are including the marketplace
 He intends to transform us. He desires for us to have the proper attitude and values to survive in
the marketplace
Romans 12 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
 And once we see the light, He desires to use us in the marketplace to be His instruments in love and
healing
Matthew 5 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Neither do
people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to
everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your
good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

5. The Christian Attitude and Response
Toward Work
 Even God worked, and everything that God did is good. Therefore work is good.
 God made man his co-worker and a steward of the resources that he entrusted to him.
 Work is not a curse. God set man out to work even before the fall of Adam and Eve.
 Our attitude should be:
 Let us be thankful for the dignity of work
 Our work is not our god. Work is done according to God’s purpose such as supporting a family, giving
back to society, provision for the less fortunate
 Colossians 3 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human
masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord
Christ you are serving.
 Uphold these values at work whether dealing with co-workers, bosses, customers, suppliers, etc:
Respect, Integrity, Compassion, Humility, Excellence, Service and Trust
 Pray at work

6. The Christian Attitude and Response
Towards Wealth and Money
 It is a gift
Ecclesisates 5 19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy
them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.
 It is not a measure of God’s love for us. Just look at His only Son who came and left this world with
no material wealth
 It can be a curse whether you have it or not
Proverbs 30 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only
my daily bread. 9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may
become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
 It can be your god
Matthew 6 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you
will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

7. What is the proper attitude towards
wealth and money?
 Be content
1 Timothy 6 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take
nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into
temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the
love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
Philippians 4 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being
content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this
through him who gives me strength.
 Be thankful
Deuteronomy 8 10 When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given
you. 11 Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that
I am giving you this day. 12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13 and
when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart
will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. . .
17 You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember
the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore
to your ancestors, as it is today.

8. What is the proper attitude towards
wealth and money? (cont’d)
 Do not make it an end in itself Do not fall in love with it
Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want
Do not acquire it unjustly or dishonorably – it shows distrust in God
Matthew 16 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
 Focus your efforts on things external. You cannot take money with you when you die
Matthew 6 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin
destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and
steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 5 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

9. Conclusion
 God created us for a purpose – to serve Him with all our hearts, minds and souls
 He has made it so that we spend most of our time in the Marketplace . . . For the same
purpose . . . To love Him, serve Him and glorify Him in the Marketplace