Big Idea: The wise worker understands the value of work, the way to work, and the hope for work

Work defined: Any action that involves time, thinking, and exerting energy to achieve a goal

The wise worker understands the value of work
God gave humanity work before sin entered the world
Work is created by God and in its nature is a good thing
Work is essential to living a full and productive life, a life honoring God

The wise worker understands the way to work

Four Ways the Fool Works:
The fool works as little as possible (Proverbs 6:6-11)
Sluggard: “Lazy Bones”, inactive, no discipline or initiative
Also see Proverbs 26:14-15, 19:24
The fool works like a slacker (Proverbs 18:9)
The slacker shows disinterest, denial to care for others, a refusal to do things with enthusiasm
“Slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism”

The fool wastes time on worthless things (Proverbs 28:19)
Worthless: Having no benefit or advantage, puff dreams or idle plans, empty

The fool wastes opportunities (Proverbs 24:30-34)

Four ways the Wise person works:
The wise worker recognizes the profit in work (Proverbs 14:23)
The wise worker knows work is worth it. Period.
Work produces character, exemplifies God who works, blesses others

The wise worker is diligent (Proverbs 12:24, 12:27, 13:4)
Diligence: sharp, decisive, persistent, self-motivated
“Rule”: can include managing, influence, leadership of systems and people, control over one’s persona. affairs

The wise worker is disciplined to take rest (Proverbs 23:4-5)
The wise worker commits their work to the Lord (Proverbs 16:3)
Commit: trusting with eager anticipation for help, guidance, fulfillment

The presence of sin in the world leads to great frustration in our work
Work is seen either as a necessary evil to get through, or as the source of our identity and fulfillment

The wise worker understands the hope for our work
We are saved through the work of Jesus on the cross, a free gift of God’s grace to us that came through the tremendous work of the Son of God

Jesus saves us from 3 sinful views of life and work:
Where we once hated work, we are freed to enjoy labor of all kinds because there is value in working hard

We are freed from viewing work as the source of my deepest fulfillment, joy, and hope

We are freed for the wrong ideas of “spiritual” and “secular” work
All work done in the name of Jesus and for God’s glory is of equal importance to God