Chapter 8 | Don't Waste Your Life

Chapter 8|MAKING MUCH OF CHRIST FROM 8 TO 5

A small group resource for students studying Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper

Wouldn't it be incredible to live in constant state of summer vacation? No homework, no plan, no work... just pure bliss...

Actually the bible seems to indicate that we would be extremely unsatisfied without work (even though many of you might reply, "let me try!"). The bible actually makes a clear case for the importance of work and how we use it for the glory of God. Piper takes up his bible and pen once again to convince us to work for the glory of God.

While we are exploring this chapter I want you to extract the principle behind working for the glory of God. It would be a mistake to mentally check out before you finish the chapter because you are in school and don't have a job. The concept in this chapter is big enough to sweep you up into the conversation. The way you do your school work is under this concept, the yard project that you may work on this spring is included, the chores at home are in too, the group project for your AP class is in, and many other activities we do can be called work. So stick with this chapter to see that you have a call to make Jesus famous with the way you do your work.

It is important at the outset to say that both secular and Christian work can and does make Jesus famous. We need to fight the urge to call pastors and missionaries professional Christians and to think of other jobs as insignificant. We are all called to work for Christ and there is no distinction between pastor and layperson. "Martin Luther recaptured the biblical teaching of the priesthood of every Christian and blasted the spiritual line between clergy and laity" (pg. 132,133). We are all a part of the priesthood that speaks of Christ. And all of our work can be holy and pleasing to God. "Our ditches are to be dug straight, our pipe-fittings are not to leak, our cabinet corners should be flush, our surgical incisions should be clean, our word processing accurate and appealing, and our meals nutritious and attractive, because God is a God of order and beauty and competence" (pg. 141). When we work like that our work is just as pleasing to God as the work of a youth pastor studying and writing an article for his students (wink). Every project becomes an opportunity to glorify God and call men and women to Him when we work for His glory.

Now let us explore six ways that Piper gives in which we can use work to glorify God.

1. We make much of God in our secular job through the fellowship we enjoy with him throughout the day in all our work (pg. 136).

As Christians we have the unique ability to take God to work with us through prayer. When we utilize that experience we are working alongside of God and this brings us joy and Him glory. Piper gives us a threefold explanation: God is with us in work, we can constantly breath out praises to Him, and we can meditate on the promises of His word while we work. "In this way we fellowship with God, listening to Him through His word and thanking Him and praising Him and calling on Him for all we need" (pg. 138).

2. We make much of Christ in our secular work by joyful, trusting, God-exalting design of our creativity and industry (pg. 138).

Through our creativity and industry we can show the world what God is like. Piper says, "Being in the image of God means at least that we should image forth God. We should reflect what He is really like" (pg. 139). We have the opportunity to do this through the creativity and productivity of our work. Keep in mind, Piper says, "work is a good, God-like thing" (pg. 139). Work is not a curse, it is a blessing and an opportunity to demonstrate what God is like.

3. We make much of Christ in our secular work when it confirms and enhances the portrait of Christ's glory that people hear in the spoken gospel (pg. 142).

The way we work can serve as an piece of beautiful jewelry being worn by the gospel that we profess. "Our work is not the beautiful woman, but the necklace. The beautiful woman is the Gospel" (pg. 143).

4. We make much of Christ in our secular work by earning enough money to keep us from depending on others, while focusing on the helpfulness of our work rather than the financial rewards (pg. 144).

You are designed to provide for yourself in reliance of the strength God gives you. We are dependent on Him but we are called to be workers and providers. "Work with your hands ... so that you may ... be dependent on no one" (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12). Again Paul later writes to the same people whom he heard were not working, "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies" (2 Thessalonians 3:10, 11). Piper says it like this, "Able-bodied people who choose to live in idleness and eat the fruit of another's sweat are in rebellion against God's design" (pg. 147).

5. We make much of Christ in our secular work by earning money with the desire to use our money to make others glad in God (pg. 150).

Ultimately, we work not to gain more stuff, but to demonstrate God's goodness and to provide for those in need. "You can steal to have. Or you can work to have. Or you can work to have to give. When the third option comes from joy in God's goodness, it makes Him look great in the world" (pg. 151).

6. We make much of Christ in our secular work by treating the web of relationships it creates as a gift of God to be loved by sharing the Gospel and by practical deeds of help (pg. 151).

Most importantly, work gives us a platform to share the Gospel. "No nice feelings about you as a good employee will save anyone. People must know the Gospel, which is the power of God unto eternal life" (pg. 152). We must speak the Gospel to our coworkers, customers, and friends. Work gives us a platform from which we can do that.

Work is a beautiful opportunity to display the majesty of Christ. It is not a means to get loot to get more stuff. It is not the way that you can get rich so you can be happy. Ultimately, work unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23) is a beautiful act of worship to God.

Do you do your homework in a way that teachers notice your hard work, creativity, and excellence?

Are your chores done in a way that you would want to show them off to Jesus? Sheets neatly tucked in, clothes put away, trash completely picked up and neatly placed on the curb etc...

Do you enjoy God while you are working by inviting Him to be a part of it through prayer and praise?

Would coworkers give you an ear for you to speak the Gospel based on your hard work, attitude, and effort?

or,

Would the Gospel seem out of line because of inconsistencies of your character, slacking-off, cutting corners, and general laziness?

God, help us to work for your glory in way that displays your goodness. And, when you tell us to speak give us courage to proclaim the Gospel with our words, having already lived out the effects of the gospel with our conduct. Amen