A.      The keynote passage for our series is 1Timothy 4:7-8 – "…Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

                                                             1.      To practice godliness, we must be directed by God in all things, whether spiritual or temporal.

                                                             2.      If we practice godliness, then we are assured of benefits "for the present life and also for the life to come.”  A godly life is a good life, and it leads to eternal life.

B.      In this lesson, we will consider how godliness must govern Christians in matters of work and business.

                                                             1.      It is said that the realm of business is a "dog-eat-dog” world.  This may be the way worldly people seek advantages and profit, but Christians must approach their work with godliness.

                                                             2.      The word of God promises success to those who conduct their business in godliness.  Of course, that success must also be measured in terms of godliness, but godly success is the best success of all.

II.      WORK HEARTILY AS FOR THE LORD

A.      The correct, godly attitude of a Christian who works is that his work is service to the Lord.

                                                             1.      The twin passages of Ephesians 6:5-9 and Colossians 3:22-25 teach us not to give "eyeservice” to employers as mere pleasers of men, but rather to render service as to the Lord.

                                                             2.      This godly approach to work will ensure us of both temporal and spiritual rewards.  Notice Colossians 3:23-24 – "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance.  It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

B.      The profit of a Christian’s godly work is that his needs will be supplied and he will be able to share with others.

                                                             1.      God’s simple rule of work is that labor brings a profit while laziness leaves a man in need.

a.       The benefit of work is stated in 1Thessalonian 4:11-12 – "…Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.”

b.       The detriment of laziness is given in 2Thessalonian 3:6-15 with the governing rule stated in verse 10 – "If anyone will not work, neither let him eat.”

                                                             2.      From the temporal profits of labor, a Christian may reap spiritual benefits by sharing with others.

a.       Notice Ephesians 4:28 – "He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.”

b.       Those who are generous givers will be "enriched in everything for all liberality” (2Cor. 9:11; see vv. 6-15 for full context).  Their giving results in many thanksgivings to God.

III.   GODLY AND UNGODLY BUSINESS PRACTICES

A.      The godly practice of diligence leads to profit, but the ungodly practice of laziness leads to poverty.

                                                             1.      In Proverbs 6:6-11, the example of the diligent ant is contrasted to the sluggard, who does no work.  The ant works for food in the summer, but the sluggard sleeps and is left in poverty and need.

                                                             2.      Consider some other proverbs that give godly admonitions for work and warnings against idleness.

a.       "Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” (10:4)

b.       "He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.” (12:11)

c.        "The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slack hand will be put to forced labor.” (12:24)

d.       "The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is made fat.” (13:4)

e.        "In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” (14:23)

f.        "The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.” (15:19)

g.        "Do you see a man skilled in his work?  He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.” (22:9)

h.       In Proverbs 24:30-34, the images of a neglected field and vineyard are used to discourage the laziness that leads to poverty.

i.          "He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who cares for his master will be honored.” (27:18)

j.         "He who tills his land will have plenty of food, but he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty.” (28:19)

B.      The godly attitude of honesty leads to God’s blessings, but the ungodly attitude of dishonesty is condemned.

                                                             1.      Several of the proverbs speak of the goodness of accurate weights and the abomination of false balances (Prov. 11:1; 16:11; 20:10, 23).  The application for us is that we must fairly and accurately represent our services or products in business rather than seeking to cheat someone through dishonesty.

                                                             2.      Consider other proverbs that speak of the blessed results of fair business dealings and the cursed results of dishonesty, fraud, extortion, bribes, and corruption.

a.       "Ill-gotten gains do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.” (10:2)

b.       "Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but the one who gathers by labor increases it.” (13:11; see also 20:17, 21)

c.        "He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.” (15:27)

d.       "Do not move the ancient boundary or go into the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their case against you.” (23:10-11)

e.        "He who increases his wealth by interest and usury gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.” (28:8)

C.      One who saves is wise and blessed by God, but one who consumes all he has will be crushed by debt.

                                                             1.      Saving during prosperous times is encouraged by the Scriptures as a work of wisdom.

a.       Notice the contrast of a wise son and a foolish son in Proverbs 10:5 – "He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully.”

b.       Notice the contrast between a wise man and a foolish man in Proverbs 21:20 – "There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.”

c.        In Proverbs 27:23-27, the Scripture commends the keeping of flocks and herds as a source of sustenance when riches are gone.  We can make an application of this by saving provisions so that we can still be supplied when money is gone.

                                                             2.      A failure to save or an unwillingness to wait will likely lead to debt, but the following verses of Scripture preclude debt for children of God.

a.       "The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.” (Prov. 22:7)

b.       "Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” (Rom. 13:8)

D.      An attitude of contentment leads to godly profit, but the love of riches leads to ruin and destruction.

                                                             1.      In 1Timothy 6:5-11, Paul taught that godliness is a means of great gain, but it must be accompanied by contentment.

a.       A Christian’s proper attitude toward profit is given in verse 8 – "If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.”

b.       Those who lack the attitude of contentment and crave riches are warned in verses 9-10 – "But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

                                                             2.      Consider also the lessons concerning the pursuit of riches in the following proverbs:

a.       "Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it.  When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. for wealth certainly makes itself wings like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.” (23:4-5)

b.       "A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished.” (28:20)

IV.    CONCLUSION

A.      Remember that the profit of godliness in business or any other area of life is not according to the "prosperity gospel” taught by many modern preachers.

                                                             1.      God does not promise houses, cars, jewelry, piles of money, etc. in exchange for our godliness.  Those who teach this "prosperity gospel” are in error and do not comply with the word of God.

                                                             2.      Instead, God promises temporal and spiritual benefits that are abundantly profitable for those who practice godliness and receive God’s benefits with contentment.  See Matthew 6:33.

B.      Most importantly, remember that the enduring profit of godliness will be in the life to come.