Contrary to popular beliefs, work is ordained by God!
We read at the very beginning of God’s Word in Genesis 2:15, The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Work is not a curse if done with God!
Here’s a guy who finally found the perfect job:
My first job was working in an orange juice factory, but I got canned….
I couldn’t concentrate.
After that I tried to be a tailor, but I just wasn’t suited for it...mainly because it was a so-so job.
Then I tried to be a chef -- figured it would add a little spice to my life, but I just didn’t have the thyme.
Next I tried working in a muffler factory but that was too exhausting.
I managed to get a good job working for a pool maintenance company, but the work was just too draining.
I attempted to be a deli worker, but any way I sliced it, I couldn’t cut the mustard.
Then I worked in the woods as a lumberjack, but I just couldn’t hack it, so they gave me the ax.
Next was a job in a shoe factory; I tried but I just didn’t fit in.
After many years of trying to find steady work I finally got a job as a historian until I realized there was no future in it.
I studied a long time to become a doctor, but I didn’t have any patience.
My best job was being a musician, but eventually I found I wasn’t noteworthy.
I became a professional fisherman, but discovered that I couldn’t live on my net income.
My last job was working at Starbucks, but I had to quit because it was always the same old grind.
SO I RETIRED, AND FOUND I’M PERFECT FOR THE JOB!
He found God’s job on the 7th day the best; so he became a 7th Day Inventist!
All kidding aside, work is not a curse when done with God!
Joseph in Egypt found this out and the results can be incredible! Please open your Bibles to Genesis 45.
As Peg Hamby comes forward to read for us this morning, let us pray our commitment to God’s Word………..
Work is not a curse when done with God and the results can be incredible! And Joseph worked hard didn’t he?
Why would the King of Egypt make Joseph second in command if he was not a hard worker? Joseph was a hard worker!
But Joseph didn’t do the work alone!
Look again at v7-8………
God was at work with Joseph even before Egypt! God and Joseph were a team ever since his brothers left him to die. Joseph said to his brothers in Genesis 50:20, You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. And as God and Joseph partnered together, we can note the wonderful results of their teamwork.
Look again at verse 2………….
What kind of tears were those??
A result of teamwork with God is joy!
And we can note a common result in verses 4-5, 9-11, 17-20, 21-23. Let me just read v17-20……………
A result of teamwork with God is care and comfort!
Now look again at v14-15…………
What is the result here of the teamwork of Joseph and God?? A result of teamwork with God is love!
One more result worth noting; read v16 again with me….
The secular world was pleased with God’s chosen!
A result of teamwork with God is community impact!
Work is not a curse when done with God and the results can be incredible! Do we desire the results of joy, care and comfort, love and community impact in our lives?
The angels of God said in Luke 2:10-11, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. Jesus Christ brings joy!
And even in the midst of troubles in this world, where is the source of comfort? 2 Corinthians 1:5 states, For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. Jesus Christ brings comfort and care!
And where does true love come from? 1 John 4:9 tells us, This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. Jesus Christ is love!
And in the Gospels Jesus said “I am the light of the world”; then He told His followers, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Jesus Christ leads people to impact society!
If we are to experience joy, care and comfort, love, and impact our community, we must work with Jesus Christ! God worked with Joseph and Joseph worked with God; it was teamwork and the results were incredible!
Today, we too can experience incredible results in our lives if we do everything with Jesus as our teammate!
Is Jesus Christ, the Creator of the universe, your teammate in everything you do? Jesus Christ desires to be our teammate. Jesus Christ is constantly knocking on the door of our hearts.
Is your heart closed for Jesus?
Are you like the Innkeeper who told Mary and Joseph that there was no room and he missed the greatest event in history which saved mankind?
Let Jesus Christ into your heart and do everything with Him!
Before we close, there are 2 other things we need to note: Did Joseph just sat around and asked God to do all the work? Absolutely not! God desires to work with people but God calls people to actually work! Jesus confirms this in Matthew 11:28; Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
We are to yoke with Jesus Christ and find out the work He wants us to do and do it! Are you yoked with Jesus? Do you know the work He’s called you to do? There is always work to do; either for family, for the community or in ministry for Christ; just don’t be a 7th Day Inventist!
And in whatever work God has called you to do, are you doing this God ordained work with the right attitude?
Joseph warned his brothers of their attitudes.
Look back to v24…..
What would make the brothers quarrel??
In spite of experiencing the wonderful results of the teamwork of God and Joseph, the brothers could have messed it up because of greed, arrogance……...
As Christians, God has called us to work along side Jesus Christ, but we can mess up the results with our quarrelling!
Avoid quarrels! This doesn’t mean we are never to discuss our differences. There is a difference between discussing and quarrelling. Quarreling is not discussing, it’s disgusting!
Proverbs 17:19 states, He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction. Do you love to quarrel? Watch out! Quarreling can easily lead to sin. You know a good way to avoid quarreling? Listen more! You can avoid quarreling which leads to sin by listening more and truly understanding the other person!
Listen more, quarrel less! Listen more, quarrel less!
And let us not forget, God calls us to teamwork with Him. And as we work together we need to watch out for greed and arrogance and discuss our differences with Jesus Christ in mind! Is Jesus really our teammate?
As individuals, we are to team with Jesus Christ. As a team, as a church, as a family, we must also never leave Jesus out of the work we are to do. As a church, as a family, we will quarrel when we leave Jesus out and mess up the intended incredible results by God.
Take a moment right now to quietly think about these things.
Is Jesus Christ your teammate in everything?
Do you know the work Jesus has called you to do?
Are you doing work with the right attitude?
Commit to listening more and quarreling less!
