Christianity and Work Ethics: Cultivating Excellence in Commitment
Embrace the Christian values of work ethic, diligence, and commitment as exemplified through scriptures. Reflect on the importance of working diligently, cultivating excellence, and committing to tasks with self-awareness and support for others.
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Christianity Work Ethics Nancy Mungai Ezra Conference Kabarak University 31stDecember, 2016
Definitions Christianity Christ like Acts 11.26 Work - act, do, perform, effect, produce, bring about, succeed, thrive, be successful Ethics morals, beliefs, integrity, conscience, principles, codes
We are commanded to work 1Th_4:11 and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 2Ti_2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed 2Th 3:10 that if any would not work, neither should he eat. The need to rest a change is as good as a rest
Working diligently Ecc 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Prv 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
Cultivating excellence Origin of work Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Gen_2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. Gen_2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
Commitment to the work at hand Neh 4:6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. Pro 18:9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. Pro 10:26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is a sluggard to those who send him. (NIV)
Level of commitment To self self awareness To people appreciate & support others To the organization CU, University, Church, family To the truth honesty in all dealings (the story of Esther) To leadership willingness to submit to authority, and to lead when given a chance
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: That the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. ~~William Hutchinson Murray
Planning to work ethically Understanding God s desire/will: -Pro 11:1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight (KJV) the lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight-NIV) Confidence that in obedience God will make a way 2Ch 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him (KJV). For the eyes of the lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him (NIV)
Planning to work ethically Seeking ethical ways to deal with every situation Esther 4:15-16, Pray Plan Action Nehemiah Prayer, making the most of every opportunity, gathering information, seeking people who can assist Wisdom and strength in the face of opposition Remaining focused Daniel and Joseph
Planning to achieve Deal with opposition/ challenges with prayer and decisively Neh 4 Remain focussed despite lies, opposition - Neh 6: 5-14
Planning to achieve Deal with opposition/ challenges with prayer and decisively Neh 4 Remain focussed despite lies, opposition - Neh 6: 5-14 As students Plan to attend all lectures Undertake all assignments/ practicals Linet s example Use available resources library, wifi (internet), past exams
Planning to achieve As workers Report to work on time, leave when required to Work diligently and consistently Pursue excellence in all undertakings Treat all people with respect Stand for what is right, just, fair Respect leaders/supervisors/bosses
For students Excellent - Outstanding, Brilliant, Exceptional, First- rate, Admirable, Superb, Tremendous (34 times KJV) Excellence - Fineness, Brilliance, Superiority, Distinction, Quality, Merit Academics educational, scholastic
For students Plan to attend all lectures Undertake all assignments/ practicals Linet s example Use available resources library, wifi (internet), past exams
Academic excellence Academic excellence should be a Christian s priority WHY? We are the salt and the light of the world 1. Christ s ambassadors representing Christ in what we do 2. Responsible to tell/stand for the truth cheating, plagiarism, falsifying data should not be our portion 3. Comrade power/ degree in harambee 4.
Those who seek to practice Christian faith in academia must ever seek to hear God s clear call to excellence and to inspire their students to embrace it and go forth to make a difference in the world. The call to tell the truth to and about God s world to all, challenge us to be not merely good people but also good scholars. Lawrence T. Geraty, President, La Sierra University, California
Good blesses the work of our hands Deu_30:9 And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers: Rth_2:12 The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
Motivation for excellence in our work, academics 1Co_10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 1Pe 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Motivation for excellence in our work, academics Eph 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Eph 6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; Eph 6:7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Eph 6:8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
Summary God is the initiator of work God expects us to work ethically so as to be effective witnesses We need to be committed We need to plan to excel He blesses the work of our hands We work as unto the lord and not to men We seek to bring glory to God in all we do
We are what we repeatedly do. EXCELLENCE then, is NOT an act, but a HABIT"---Aristotle.
