Work & Retirement Session 4 Session Summary: In this session Ron Blue discusses work as one of the building blocks of wealth management. He explores the world s perspective on work, God s perspective on work and where to fit work in the context of life. I. Preview II. Perspective and Paradigms III. Principles and Precepts (Biblical Wisdom) IV. Personal Convictions (Biblical Philosophy) V. Practice (Client Counsel) I. PREVIEW To Know: 1. The world s perspective on work 2. God s perspective on work 3. Where to put work in the context of To Believe: 1. Work is normative. It is a part of God s created order for humanity. 2. My work does not who I am. 3. All that I bring to my work (skills, intelligence, experiences, reputation, etc.) are a gift from God. 4. My personal income associated with my work comes from God. 5. Rest and leisure are a part of God s plan. 6. Retirement to a life of is not a part of God s plan. 7. Retirement from Kingdom activity is never a part of God s plan. 8. Wealth accumulation may be a product of work, but is not the of work. Session 4 Kingdom Advisors Training 1
To-Do Behavior: 1. To maintain balance in your personal life. 2. To have with your spouse regarding your work habits. 3. To be able to articulate with conviction a Biblical philosophy of work to your clients. 4. To be able to lead and counsel clients to practice balance in their lives. II. PERSPECTIVE AND PARADIGMS The World s Perspective on Work: 1. My work who I am 2. The harder I work the greater my income potential 3. Work is a necessary Question? When you get to heaven, who will have the greater reward, you or Mother Theresa? III. PRINCIPLES AND PRECEPTS Biblical Wisdom: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10 NKJV) Jesus said to them, My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to His work. (John 4:34 NKJV) I have glorified You on earth, I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. (John 17:4 NKJV) I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk of the calling with which you were called. (Ephesians 4:1 NKJV) Dr. Tony Evans describes a calling : 1. A reason for doing something 2. It is all about Kingdom impact 3. It is always bigger than me 4. It always demands 5. It is not a career Session 4 Kingdom Advisors Training 2
Calling is characterized by: 1. 2. Ability 3. 4. Opportunity Question? Would what you are doing today vocationally be characterized by: 1. Passion? 2. Utilizing your unique? 3. Utilizing your unique life experiences? 4. Provide the greatest opportunity for unique by you? If not, why not? Dr. Ken Boa Summarizes the Theology of Work : 1. Work is not a result of the fall. 2. Work is a part of God s created for humanity. (Genesis 2:5, 15) 3. Jesus accomplished the works of His Father. (John 4:34; 5:17; 5:36; 10:32-37; 14:10-13; 17:4) 4. The Father gives us work to accomplish during our earthly sojourn. (Acts 13:2; 1 Corinthians 16:10; Ephesians 2:10) 5. God has appointed us over the works of His hands. (Genesis 1:27-28; Hebrews 2:7) 6. We are called to please God by bearing fruit in every good work. (Colossians 1:10; Hebrews 13:21) 7. Our work will be tested and by God. (1 Corinthians 3:13-15) 8. Scripture rebukes idleness and sloth and affirms that work has genuine value. (Ecclesiastes 2:24; 3:12-13; 5:18) 9. All honest professions are honorable, and there is dignity in manual as well as mental work, as is evident from the occupations of the characters of the Bible. 10. When we seek to God in whatever we do (1 Corinthians 10:31), we will pursue excellence in our work, whether others notice or not. Session 4 Kingdom Advisors Training 3
Work and What I Do 1. Work embeds us in a natural environment in which we can exhibit kingdom values and hope in a temporal arena. 2. Work provides a context in which we can Jesus Christ by: a. building relationships b. by demonstrating character, conviction, and integrity c. by doing our work with care and quality. 3. God is not impressed by or dependent upon our or accomplishments. Everything I do on earth is nothing more than refrigerator art for God. 4. There should be a rhythm between work and leisure in our lives so that we can enjoy periods of: a. Refreshment b. c. Restoration d. Relationships. 5. Secular work becomes when done to the glory of God. 6. Spiritual work becomes when done to please and impress men. Work in the Context of Life: Session 4 Kingdom Advisors Training 4
IV. PERSONAL CONVICTIONS Ron s personal convictions on Biblical Wisdom: 1. God created man to work his entire lifetime. 2. Work should be evidenced by a sense of satisfaction and. 3. Leisure is a part of God s plan, but not the objective of His plan. 4. Work should be accompanied by a sense of calling. 5. Work is normative. It is a part of God s created order for humanity. 6. My work does not who I am. 7. All that I bring to my work (skills, intelligence, experiences, reputation, etc.) are a gift from God. 8. My personal income associated with my work comes from God. 9. Rest and leisure are a part of God s plan. 10. Retirement to a life of is not a part of God s plan. 11. Retirement from Kingdom activity is not a part of God s plan. 12. Wealth accumulation may be a product of work, but is not the of work. V. PRACTICE Client Counsel Objectives: 1. To help clients to understand the vertical rather than the nature of work. As a trusted advisor, ask your clients about the motivation behind the decisions they are making related to work. 2. To help clients achieve unity and balance in their lives. Please take the time to complete your first pass at your own personal convictions related to this session on the Personal Convictions Worksheet. Session 4 Kingdom Advisors Training 5