The Value of Work
Jerrie Barber - via Bulletin Digest

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them."
(Ephesians 2: 10)

I read about an insurance agent who was talking to a prospective client at her home. He pointed to a fancy vase on the table next to the sofa.

"Do you keep anything in it?" he asked.

"Yes. My husband's ashes."

"I'm so sorry," the agent replied. "I didn't realize he had died."

"He didn't" the lady said. "He's just too lazy to hunt for an ashtray."

Working is a part of God's plan for man's fulfillment and happiness. After creating the world and making man of the dust, "the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it" (Genesis 2:15). Paradise was not then in the beginning nor is it now, a place of constant leisure and no responsibilities.

Whether we are thinking of work by which we provide a living for our family or a task we do in the Lord's service, there are some biblical principles that will help us.

1. Find a work suited for you. Because of background, natural ability, education, experience, and interest, we do some things better than others. "For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another." (Romans 12:4).

2. Do your best. Whether we are doing "church work" or whether we are on the job, we are working for the Lord. "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ" (Col. 3:23-24).

3. Schedule times of rest. God set the example by resting on the seventh day after creating the world in six. When the apostles had completed some work and reported to Jesus on the results, Jesus said, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." (Mark 6:3 1).

4. Be training others to do your work. It is no compliment to anyone's effectiveness and leadership for any work to show a decline after he or she moves, is promoted, or retires. Paul gave the principle to Timothy when he wrote, "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." (2 Tim. 2:2).

5. Prepare for work in the future that will call for growth. The challenging work of an elder is being addressed when Paul wrote Timothy, "If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task." (1 Timothy 3: 1). The person who does well in any task - is one who has set his heart on it and has prepared for it.

Work is designed by the Lord to be a blessing -- not a curse!

How do you plan to be blessed in your work today?

We rejoice that Darrell Hartman was baptized for the remission of sins on Thursday (26^th). Gene performed the baptism before he left on vacation. Add the following to your directories:

HARTMAN, Darrell............................... \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
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Fellowship Tonight

We are scheduled to meet for a time of food and fellowship after the evening services tonight. In conjunction with our fellowship we are planning a "pounding" for the Louis family (our new School of Preaching student). Plan to stay for a while and bring a "pound" of something for our new student family.

Youngsters

Brother Gaylon West is meeting with our young folks at 5:45 on Sunday evenings (fifteen minutes before our regular PM services). Parents please remember to bring the kids for this few minutes prior to worship.

Help!

There is a sheet on the bulletin board in the foyer for you to sign-up on, if you have a large ice cooler you can provide for Bible Bowl on September 11. See Jana Conner for more details.
There are also several local events posted on the bulletin board. Stop by and see what's going on in the area. Note that the upcoming debate with brother Eddie Harper has been postponed because of illness.