Month: March 2021

The Bible View #803 — Repentance

In This Issue:
Many “Second” Chances
The Nature of Repentance
Repentance…
Tears of Repentance
The Bible and Repentance

Volume: 803    March 29, 2021
Theme: Repentance

Many “Second” Chances
Bill Brinkworth

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:5

In Luke 13:2-4, Jesus reports two terrible tragedies that occurred. One was a man, who some believe might have been the notorious Judas of Galilee (Acts 5:37), whose death was ordered by Pilate (Luke 13:1).  The other was the unusual end of 18 people when a tower fell on them (Luke 13:4).

Of both events, Jesus asked His listeners if they thought the deceased were terrible sinners to have had such horrible deaths. Apparently, the one that Pilate killed had committed some horrific infraction against the government.  Although most likely caused by accident, the other tragic deaths appeared to be a judgment from God.

Although not all deaths and hardships are judgments from God, sometimes they are.  Jesus addressed those that are by answering His questions by saying, “… except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5).

Jesus explained with the use of a parable (Luke 13:6-9) to help his listeners understand why God sometimes allows terrible things to happen to those who are blatantly sinning. The parable is about a fig tree that would not produce any fruit.  The man who owned the tree was not happy that for several years it had not given fruit.  He was going to give it one more chance to produce fruit. If it did not, he was going to have it cut down.

When one is in sin, God is very patient and merciful.  He could easily bring a sinner’s life to an end, but He gives him multiple chances to stop his sin and change his lifestyle.  As with the fig tree, there may come a time that a person will not turn from their sin, and God will end their life.

What a warning to those that think they are “getting away” with sin!  There will come a time that God’s mercy will not be poured out on one’s ignoring God’s commandments.  There is always a payday for sin someday.  Turn from violations against God, and ask for His forgiveness today!

“You cannot repent too soon because you do not know how soon it may be too late.”  — Fuller



The Nature of Repentance
R. Watson

As explained by John the Baptist’s ministry, repentance is a conviction of the fact of sin — a painful conviction.  A conviction that never produced humility, never sighed, never wept, and never sought solitude for prayer and reflection is not an element of true repentance. 

Repentance is a serious and painful apprehension of the danger of sin’s involvement.  Hence John asked the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to his baptism, “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees [‘religious,’ but ungodly sect members] come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” Mat. 3:7 There can be God’s wrath for continuance in sin.

Repentance is a humble confession of sin.  The people generally confessed to John, for he could not enter into the particulars of each case.  To God, they confessed their sins in detail.

Repentance is fruitful.  Under its influence, the churl (bad-mannered people) becomes kind, and the unjust become righteous. Those who had formerly been careless of their spiritual interests wait upon God in using every means of grace.

Repentance is despairing but can bring hope.  The people who were awakened under John’s ministry felt that in themselves, there was no help.  He taught them to seek Christ the Saviour.

“Being sorry you got caught in the commission of sin is not always repentance.  Repentance is sincerely desiring you had never done the iniquity in the first place and doing all you can, with God’s help and forgiveness, never to do it again!



Repentance…
Bill Brinkworth

  • Stopping sin, bad behaviors, and habits does not get one forgiven.
  • Stopping sin, bad behavior, habits, and living a better life does not give anyone entrance to Heaven.  One must be saved (John 3:3) to go to Heaven.
  • Stopping sin, bad behaviors, and habits may ease your guilt.  It will not reduce your guiltiness between you and the Father unless you ask for forgiveness (Romans 10:9).
  • Stopping sin, bad behaviors, and habits can be good “works” if you think it will clear your sin-slate with God.  Good works that we can do will get no one to Heaven:
    “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2:8 -9
  • Not stopping sin, bad behaviors, and habits when the Holy Spirit convicts one’s heart may harden one’s heart from further hearing His convicting “voice.”

“Deathbed repentance is burning the candle of life in the devil’s service and then blowing the smoke into the face of God.” — Billy Sunday



Tears of Repentance
E. Irving

The tears of repentance differ greatly from the tears shed over the loss of some things or friendships. They are different from tears of disappointments.  Real tears of repentance are those that the Lord blesses because of a heart that wants to get right with Him.
“… Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.” Luke 6:21

Those are the tears of repentance, which Peter shed when he went out and wept bitterly (Mat. 26:75).  They are the same tears that Mary Magdalene shed when she washed her Lord’s feet.  They are the tears that burst from our hearts when we looked upon Jesus, whom we pierced because of our sins, and when we remember unrepented sin.

“Late repentance is seldom true, but true repentance is never too late.”
 — Venning



The Bible and Repentance
Gleaned from Bible Readings for the Home, pg. 89-90

  • Who is called to repentance?
    “I [Jesus] came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32
  • What accompanies repentance?
    “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:” Matthew 3:8
  • Who awakens the soul to a sense of its sinful condition?
    “And when he [the Holy Spirit] is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:” John 16:8
  • What will the truly repentant sinner be constrained to do?
    “For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.” Ps. 38:18
  • What is the result of godly sorrow?
    “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” II Cor. 7:10
  • What leads sinners to repentance?
    “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Rom. 2:4

“If we put off repentance another day, we have a day more to repent of and a day less to repent in.”  — Venning

The Bible View #802 — Studying God’s Word

In This Issue:
Study!
How to Study the Bible
Result of Reading the Bible

Volume: 802    March 22, 2021
Theme: Studying God’s Word

 Study!
Bill Brinkworth

One of the most important responsibilities Christians have is to study the Scriptures for themselves. Church is important, and one can learn quite a lot from the man of God in the pulpit, but it is up to us to study and understand what the Word of God says.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Tim. 2:15

II Timothy 2:15 teaches us five things about studying the Word of God:

  1. We get God’s approval when we think it is important enough to explore what God has recorded for us in the Bible’s preserved words.
  2. Notice that the words God used are “study” and not “read.”  We are to search its pages for His help so we can pass life’s tests and its challenges and know God’s mind. It is the main source that will help us get through life’s difficulties and learn more about the Father.

    Reading is a shallower, less urgent, and less purposeful approach to a subject. Studying takes time, rereading, comparing Scripture with Scripture, and much prayer. It takes “work,” commitment, and a great desire to get all one can out of God’s Word, and that is how God expects every Christian to approach His Truth. Be a “workman”!
  3. When we study the Bible, we will not be embarrassed by believing the wrong things. There are so many that have never read the Word of God for themselves. All they know about God’s Word is what others have taught them. If the teachers are wrong, then they are wrong. If more studied the Word of God with an anxious desire to find what God has in store for them there, learn His teachings, and practice them, most liberal, unbiblical churches would be out of business within a month! Unscriptural denominations would be history! The greatest revival ever would sweep this planet!
  4. In studying the Word of God, one must separate, or “divide,” some teachings. Some practices were for past dispensations. The priesthood, sacrifices, and signs from God were some practices for times past. Proper delving into God’s Word will expose those facts, and one will not include them in their beliefs for the current church age.
  5. God’s Word is called the “word of truth.” It is not just a collection of accurate statements, but it is truth from our Creator. It is the only source of truth on Earth, and God has preserved it for all to read!

The reverse teaching of II Timothy 2:15 is, if one does not study God’s truth, he is not approved of God! Gulp. That is a hard truth to swallow. Looking at it that way should put a higher priority on one’s Bible learning.

Is knowing what God says important to you?  Is it valuable enough for you to invest time in understanding what God wants you to know?



How to Study the Bible
Bill Brinkworth

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15

Many readers of the Word of God quickly encounter Timothy’s admonition on studying the Bible. Some faithfully read the Word of God every day.  Many do not, and even fewer study the truths God has preserved within the pages of His Word.

Not only does it take extra time to study the Bible, but many do not know how to start.  Reading a few verses each day will have less impact on one’s life than a scriptural diet of several chapters.  Taking the time to study the Word of God will be a life-directing, life-changing, God-leading influence and will help more than reading a few pages.

Then the question arises, how do you study the Bible?  How does one get the most out of their Bible?  The answer varies from one person to another since each of our brains and learning methods are different.  Here are a few study methods that may help you get more out of the Word of God so that you will learn more, that its content will help you with your life’s decisions, and that you will have a better relationship with the Lord:

  • Be saved!  The Word of God is for the people of God and will not mean as much to a person who is not saved!  Bible studying, however, will point an unbeliever to God’s truths so he can become a born-again (John 3:3) child of God and get more understanding about God
    “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” I Cor. 2:14
  • Pray and ask God to help you understand His Word before you even begin!  It is His Book; you need His help to understand it!
  • Consistently read the Bible.  Schedule and make it a priority to expose yourself to God’s Word every day!
  • Use the King James Bible. ALL the other versions, including the New King James Bible, alter what God’s Word says.  One cannot build a spiritual life close to God if the foundation, God’s Word, is corrupt and not true to what God originally had preserved!
  • Do not just read to fill a quota of verses or chapters.  Read at a speed you get something out of it.  Sometimes I have spent most of my devotional time on one verse.  There have been times that I have read several pages.
  • If you do not understand a word, stop and look it up in a dictionary.  You will be surprised to find that you do not know all the meanings of words as well as you thought you did.  Most do not need to know the Greek or Hebrew languages to get more out of their English Bible, they just need to understand the English language better!
  • If you find you have read several verses and do not remember what you read, read them again.  The goal should be to get a blessing from reading God’s Word. 
  • One method to slow one’s reading speed down and get more from the reading is to make notes on what you have just read.  A notebook or a wide-margin Bible can be used for this. 
  • Since we are in the New Testament church-age, a believer should first understand Jesus, the early church, and the teachings for this time. First, read and study the New Testament.  With its understanding, when the Old Testament is read, one will get a fuller, clearer picture of what God did then and how it pictures what would happen later.
  • While reading a verse, read other verses that teach the same principle.  Some study Bibles have references in the margin.  Follow those references, and read those verses.  Often you will get a clearer picture of what God has written by reading different, related passages.
  • When reading a verse, understand the context first.  To better comprehend a verse, first understand who the scripture was addressed to, why, and when.  Many pluck out a verse and apply it to whatever they want to apply it to, forgetting what situation, time, or people it was originally speaking of.
  • Read other Bible books that cover the same topic.  For example, if you study The Revelation, it would be good to understand Old Testament prophecies in Ezekiel and Daniel.  If trying to learn more about Jesus’ life, it is important to read other aspects of His life in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
  • Although not to be trusted as one can trust the Word of God, a Bible dictionary, such as Unger’s Bible Dictionary, can give some insight into a subject, place, or person you are reading about. Be especially cautious of books from authors or publishers who condone other Bible translations or come from denominations or institutions that teach differently than what the Bible teaches.
  • Look up, using a concordance (a book that has words listed and where they are used throughout the Bible), a word or name you want to learn more about. Some Bible computer programs are very useful for this purpose.
  • The best commentary on the Bible is the Bible itself!  Although many books on a subject or book you are studying can be helpful, they can also be wrong!  I have far more commentaries on my bookshelves that I cannot trust what the author says than I have books that have been proven reliable to what the Word of God says.  All authors are only men, and all make mistakes!  God’s Word, however, is from God and has His influential inspiration preserved and is trustworthy!
  • Do not compare with other versions and translations of the Bible!  They usually originate from sources that were not accurate in their conception, change doctrines that support the translator’s beliefs, or change facts and doctrines.  Comparing them with the real Bible (KJV) will only raise doubts and breed confusion! 

These are just a few of the many ways to study God’s Word. No matter what technique is used, the main goal is to get as much out of every precious word God has kept for us to glean.  Are you diligently reading and studying God’s Word?

“With God’s help, we can get out of the Bible what we invest in it.”



Result of Reading the Bible
Oliver Green

A young believer was discouraged in his attempts to read and remember the Bible. He said, “It’s no use. No matter how much I read, I always forget what I have just read.”

A wise pastor replied, “Take heart. When you pour water over a sieve, no matter how much you pour, you collect little. But at least you end up with a clean sieve.”

Some seem to expect the Word of God to hit them like a jolt of adrenaline each time they read or study it. Although the “jolt” may hit us periodically, the benefits of the Word of God act more like vitamins. People who regularly take vitamins do so because of their long-term benefits, not because every time they swallow one of the pills they feel new strength surging through their bodies. They have developed a habit of consistently taking vitamins because they have been told that, in the long haul, vitamin supplements are going to have a beneficial effect on their physical health, resistance to disease, and general well-being.

The same is true of reading the Bible. At times, it will have a sudden and intense impact on us. However, the real value lies in the cumulative effects that long-term exposure to God’s Word will bring to our lives.

“The Word of God is an armory of heavenly weapons, a laboratory of infallible medicines, a mine of exhaustless wealth. It is a guidebook for every road, a chart for every sea, a medicine for every malady, a balm for every wound.”   — Guthrie

The Bible View #801 — Temptation

WWW.OpenThouMineEyes.com
In This Issue:
Have You Been Seduced?
Vexed by Ungodliness
Keeping A Distance from Temptations

Volume: 801    March 15, 2021
Theme: Temptation

Have You Been Seduced?
Bill Brinkworth

Many of the problems early churches faced are very much a concern today. Those ministries had to deal with many that departed from the faith and followed “seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (Timothy 4:1). Being this is the “latter times” Paul spoke of, this problem is very real today.
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;” I Timothy 4:1

People, then and now claim to be Christians. They may be; they may not be. At first, many make a profession of salvation and start doing something for the Lord. Too often it is not long, before they are nowhere to be found.

Why did they wander away from trying to live for the Lord? They may not have been saved and were only going through “religious” motions. If they were truly saved, they are still children of God, but they may have been “seduced” by demonic spirits.

Perhaps those spirits caused their feelings to be hurt or offended their pride. People may have faced an overwhelming temptation and succumbed to it. There are thousands of ways a person can be trapped into running in the opposite direction of obeying God.

Satan and his devils cannot get anyone unsaved. Still, they certainly can make sure one’s testimony is so destroyed that they are of little use for the cause of Christ. That is one of Satan’s goals, and unfortunately millions have succumbed to his trickery.

None of the reasons a saved person gives for not serving the Lord are legitimate. Nowhere in the Bible is there any reason one should stop living for and obeying God’s commandments. All rationales for not doing what a Christian should are not of God!

“Well, you don’t understand. So-and-so in church said mean things to me, so I’ll not go anymore.” You have been seduced, and a non-holy spirit knew where your weak point was.

“That preacher just doesn’t feed me anymore, so I’m out of there!” You have been seduced, and the wrong spirits are giggling because they “got another one.”

“I’m not reading my Bible anymore. I just don’t get anything out of it.” A deceiving spirit has seduced you.

“If I live like a Christian, everyone will laugh at me.” You have been seduced.

As Ephesians 6 reminds us, there is a spiritual war going on. Satan and his devils try their hardest to seek one “whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). Be wary in the raging spiritual battle and purpose to always do the will of God — no matter the temptations.



Vexed by Ungodliness
Bill Brinkworth

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” I Corinthians 10:13

When given a choice by his Uncle Abraham, Lot chose the choicest of lands to raise his cattle and family (Gen. 13:8-11).  He left Abraham (named Abram at the time) the less appealing land and kept the “best” real estate for himself.

Lot’s selfish pick may have appeared to be the best choice. There was, however, one important matter the nephew did not consider when picking where he would live.  He did not contemplate what his soon-to-be neighbors would be like.  The places he lived near were the twin cities: Sodom and Gomorrah.  Those cities were known for their rampant sin, particularly homosexuality.  It was there that the righteous man, Lot, chose to live.

It was not long before he was involved in the city’s government (Gen. 19:1, 9).  He was not only living among wickedness, but he was involved in the choices made to help the community be managed. Shortly, his constant exposure to godlessness and sin affected Lot. The Bible says that he was “… vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked… in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;” (II Peter 2:7-8). The part of Lot that wanted to live and please the Lord was “irritated, harassed, teased, and disturbed” by the lifestyle he allowed himself and his family to be exposed.

As a Christian, we usually cannot live on top of a mountain, away from the world and all sin.  Most of the time, we have to live around iniquity. It is seen in the workplace, heard on the television, and we can be exposed to its consequences and involvement wherever we go. 

However, if we are not wary of it and do all we can to limit our exposure to iniquity, we too will be “vexed” by sin.  It will wear on us, and if we are not careful, evilness will be commonplace to us.  Seeing or hearing sin will not bother us like it did previously. The spiritual part of us will be desensitized to sin’s evilness.  If we are not careful, we will be involved in it and think it is normal because “everyone is doing it.”

Despite what the unsaved world is doing, sin is and always will be wrong.  The only protection from being desensitized or involved in it is to do one’s best to avoid it.  If you are vexed (troubled or bothered) by filthy language on television, there may be some channels you should never watch again, or you may have to stop watching the “hellevision” altogether. 

Filthy words creeping into your language? Maybe there are some influencing foul-mouths you should no longer listen to or associate. Seeing things your eyes should not be seeing on the Internet? Limit where you browse, or maybe you will have to stay off the Internet. Dirty images you have already viewed plaguing your thought-life? Avoid further looks and recite Scripture verses, particularly about what you are thinking.  It is difficult to have the clean Word of God and filthiness in your thought-life at the same time. The sinful thoughts will flee!

The key to keeping a holy, unsoiled life and testimony for the Lord is to separate (II Cor. 6:17) from the world’s ungodliness.  It is possible to remain undefiled in this ever-increasing, sinful world. If we purpose in our hearts to not be defiled by ungodliness in this world, the Lord will do His part to help us.  He will give the believer “a way to escape” sin’s vexing grasp if the believer desires it!

“If you can get along with the world, then you are out of step with God!” — Dr. Harold Sightler



Keeping A Distance from Temptations
Bill Brinkworth

“I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.” Psalm 101:2

Successful people often reveal how they got so many achievements and victories.  David did that in Psalm 101.  He accomplished what he did, not only because of his wealth and powerful position.  David attained so much because he behaved himself “wisely in a perfect way” (Psalm 101:2).

In this Scripture, “perfect” was not referring to sinlessness.  “Perfect” in this context means “moral, upright, sincere, undefiled.” Although he fell spiritually several times, the leader of Israel tried his best to live the way that was pleasing to the Lord.

David revealed several ways he kept from spiritually falling even more than he did.

  • He protected his eyes from seeing the wrong things (Psalm 101:3).  Israel’s leader may not have had the amount of pornographic temptations that awaits to snag wandering eyes today. Still, he had to divert his vision not to see things that would also lure him into sin.  If David had a television in his day, there would have been many programs he would not have watched.
    “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:…” (Psalm 101:3)
  • He avoided those that were lazy and did not work (Psalm 101:3).
     “… I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.” Psalm 101:3
  • He would not allow himself to be self-willed and unreasonable (“froward”) —  Psalm 101:4.
  • He avoided those doing wickedness (Psalm 101:4).
  • He kept from those that talked ill of other people (Psalm 101:5).
  • He kept from those that were prideful (Psalm 101:5).
  • He surrounded himself with others that also worked or tried to live the “perfect way.” (Psalm 101:6)
  • He kept his distance from deceivers (Psalm 101:7).
  • He avoided liars (Psalm 101:7).
  • He did all he could to stomp out wickedness in the lands he controlled (Psalm 101:8).

Although this Psalm was written over 3,000 years ago, every behavior that David did to protect himself from falling into sin would help people today.  Temptations surround every single one of us. We will also be inclined to sin if we do not separate ourselves from those destroyers of our testimony and joy.  Avoid wrong influences, or you too will succumb to sinful behaviors and evil temptations.

“The reason the world is not seeing Jesus is that Christian people are not filled with Jesus.  They are satisfied with attending meetings weekly, reading the Bible occasionally, and praying sometimes.  It is an awful thing to see people who profess to be Christian who are lifeless, powerless, and in a place where their lives are so parallel to unbelievers lives it is difficult to tell which place they are in, whether in the flesh or the Spirit.” — Smith Wigglesworth

The Bible View #800 — Work

This ministry has labored for 27+ years to get biblical doctrine into the hands of many. This 800th EDITION is a fraction of all the writings that have attempted to inform as many as will read.  Please help by sharing “The Bible View”s via e-mails, Facebook, Twitter, and handing it to people.  Work now in getting biblical truths to others!

WWW.OpenThouMineEyes.com
In This Issue:
Should We Help Everyone?
“Work” Is God’s Way!
Work Fulfills
The Duty of All

Volume: 800    March 8, 2021
Theme: Work

Should We Help Everyone?
Bill Brinkworth

Today, especially among Christians, there is a desire to feed and meet the needs of those that do not have. That is a considerate and generous goal. 

Paul, however,  had a different view on such a practice of helping others. He said plainly, “… that if any would not work, neither should he eat” (II Thessalonians 3:10). That philosophy would shut down welfare and other government handouts very quickly! Our modern idea of helping others is not biblical and healthy for any person or society.

We have so many today that can but will not work.  Hands go out for someone to help them when, in too many instances, they will not do for themselves what they could. Many quickly take someone else’s money to meet their needs rather than work to provide their own.

Immediately, there are angry voices justifying others’ refusal to work. “Well, there are many that can’t find work now!” I agree; it can be rough. I know the feeling. I have had a hard time finding work in the past, but it was still my responsibility to provide for my family.  It is not the taxpayer’s job to provide for them.

While I was waiting for the right position, I did “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do…” (Eccl. 9:10), even if it meant flipping hamburgers for minimum wage. I can also verify what the Psalmist said in Psalm 37:25: “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” God can meet the needs of those that call and rely on His help.

The same angry voices justify, “There are some that cannot work!” Yes, that is true, but where in the Constitution is it written that citizens have to pay for others’ needs and wants? There is usually something one could do to earn some income.

Not working and making it easy for one to still have their needs and wants met is not helping them in the long run. It encourages further slothfulness and makes people more dependent on others paying their way rather than seeking God’s help and strength to work. Many truly handicapped people still work for a living. They may not be able to do what they would like to do to earn an income, but they do what they can without being on the dole.

Paul understood what happens to people’s character and lifestyle when they do not work. He set the example (II Thessalonians 3:9) for the right type of work ethic. The preacher labored “night and day” for the cause of Christ.  Although he could have gotten financial support without the work, he would not. Paul practiced what he preached.

The preacher also commented on the character of some that did not work. It seems his experience with them was that, perhaps because they had so much time on their hands, they spent that time getting into everyone’s business (II Thessalonians 3:11). He advised that they get a job and to be quiet!

Work is good, and it is encouraged throughout the Word of God. From the beginning, God worked six out of seven days. Adam worked in the Garden of Eden. The Biblical characters that God used the most all had professions. Even Paul, when he was not preaching, mended tents.

While we can, we need to work. When we work, we also need to put aside finances for when we cannot. When a time comes that we cannot work, God will provide what we cannot.

“Even the animal world works while they can and stores up for when they cannot!” — Barbara Brinkworth


“Work” Is God’s Way!
Bill Brinkworth

Work for many is a way to be fulfilled, a means to better oneself, and a means to have what one desires.  Hard work is embraced and desired by many. It is their means to happiness and a purpose in this life.

Work to others is a four-lettered word that saddens them and is something that they avoid as much as possible. Many have much disdain for hard work.  Much of modern civilization is geared around ways to benefit without actually doing any work. Instead of dreaming of being a carpenter, doctor, nurse, or one with a bright future, many are dreaming of winning the lottery, getting someone else to do their work for them, taking advantage of government handouts, getting all they can from someone else’s hard-earned money, deceiving someone out of their money, and countless other schemes of getting their “needs” met without laboring for them. Laziness has become a way of life and the dream “job” for many.

God has much to say about “work” in the Bible.  For those that desire to know what God says about the subject and desire to live the way that pleases Him, here is some of what the Word of God says about “work”:

God works. If the creator works, those that He created should follow His example.
Creation was some of God’s work.
“And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; …” Gen.  2:2   Also: Exo. 20:9, Psa. 8:3.
God works at protecting His people. Ex. 1:31

Jesus worked. If we are Christians, or “Christ-like,” we should emulate Jesus’ work ethic.
“But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” John 5:17   Also: John 4:34.

God wants us to work.
“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;” I Thes. 4:11  Also: II Thes. 3:10-12, Ex. 20:9, Deut, 5:13, Ps. 104:23.

One will be happier if he works for what he gets.
“For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.” Psalm 128:2  Also: Eccl. 2:24, Pro. 14:23, Eccl. 3:13.
“Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.“ Pro. 13:11  Those who try to get money an easy way without laboring for it often find that they are always broke and cannot keep what they have. 

God can bless a hard worker, as He did Job.
“Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.” Job 1:10   Also:  Psa. 62:12, Eccl. 3:13.

There is the work of the ungodly that God does not accept, and the godly should avoid.
“And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Mt 7:23.   Also: Ps. 101:3, Ps. 135:15, Pro. 11:18, II Tim. 4:18.

A person’s character is often judged by his work ethic.
“Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” Pro. 20:11   Also: II Thes. 3:8.

There is a reward for laboring.
“Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.” I Cor. 3:8

Serving God involves work.
“But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”  II Tim. 4:5   Also: Rom. 16:12.

Worshipping God can involve working.
Israel had to work to make the tabernacle and Solomon’s temple:  Ex. 40:33.
Work was required to repair the damaged temple, so Israel could resume worship: Neh. 2:16.
“Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” John  6:29   Also: John 6:28, Eph. 4:12.

God knows about our work.
“I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil …” Rev. 2:2   Also: Pro. 15:19.

One will not have his needs met if he does not work for them.  He will have a hard life and will find himself wanting.
“He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” Pro.10:4   Also: Pro. 20:4, Pro. 12:24, Pro. 15:19.

Laziness (slothfulness) hurts a person!
“The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.” Pro. 21:25  Also: Prov. 13:4.

“Give him wages for his work, and let hunger pinch him if he won’t work.”
— Frederick Douglass



Work Fulfills
Hall                                                   

The busiest are the happiest. Employment certainly produces cheerfulness. 

I have known a man who came home in high spirits from a funeral because he had the management of it. He worked at the funeral parlor. Work is the salt of life.       

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”  — Thomas Edison



The Duty of All
T. Binney

Certainly, it is the duty of the strong “… to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” (Rom. 15:1)    It is the duty of the weak to become strong and not need to be pleased by being allowed the selfish luxury of putting restraints on the liberty of others that often pay the way (with their increased taxes) of those being slothful.

“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.” — Thomas Jefferson