Creating Balance in Work and Life
Message Summary:
In today’s message in our series, Kingdom Economics, Pastor John Carter taught us about the power of diligence and obedience in the life of the believer. In Genesis 28, Moses tells us that we must diligently obey the word of the Lord, and do all that God has commanded us if we want to experience his promised blessing. We must operate on this earth following the commands and principles of God. And if we do, we can expect, over time, for God to bless us and pave the way for prosperity for us.
So, we have a choice to make: to be slack or to be diligent. The word “slack” means to be slow to respond, or you could stand in your own strength and capability, but you prefer to lean on someone else or to be carried. This person could take care, but they just wait until someone else picks up the slack. We tend to favor shortcuts. But there is a difference between working smarter, not harder and walking the paths of least resistance that do not challenge us to grow. However, God wants his children to be diligent. The word “diligent” means to cut or decide, and to act immediately without losing time, quality, or resources. The Bible tells us that the person who approaches their work and life with a diligent heart, with decisiveness and focus, God’s blessing will come upon and they will be blessed over time. God wants us to choose the path of integrity. He can only bless the work of the diligent person’s hands. Bring the best effort you can to the life that God gave you!
Scriptures:
[Read about the blessings of the obedient found in Deuteronomy 28:1-14 NKJV] 1 "Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. 2 "And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God… 8 The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.”
[Proverbs 10:4 NKJV] 4 He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
[Proverbs 15:19 NKJV] 19 The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway.
Discussion Questions:
What does it mean to “diligently obey,” as discussed in Deuteronomy 28?
What do you think Moses meant when he said “…all to which you set your hand”?
What is the danger of being lazy or always choosing the easy way out?
What are some practical ways to be diligent?
How can God bless the work of our hands if we are diligent?
Life Application:
Over the next week, as you study the key scriptures, ask yourself the following question: “Are you approaching your life – personally and professionally – with diligence? Are you giving your best for God to bless?” God wants to bless the work of your hands! But you have to bring the best effort you can to the life that God gave you!