Lesson 37 What the Bible Says About Work and Money
[Image:] A carpenter hammering a nail into wood.
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Have you ever felt weighed down by concerns about work or money? It can be challenging to care for our needs and also give Jehovah the worship he deserves. The Bible offers practical advice that can help us.
1. What does the Bible say about work?
God wants us to enjoy our work. The Bible says that “there is nothing better for a man than to . . . find enjoyment in his hard work.” (Ecclesiastes 2:24)
[Quotation] Ecclesiastes 2:24: There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and find enjoyment in his hard work. This too, I have realized, is from the hand of the true God, [End Quotation]
Jehovah works hard. When we imitate him by working diligently, we please him and feel a sense of satisfaction. Work is important. But we should never allow it to become more important than our worship of Jehovah. (John 6:27)
[Quotation] John 6:27: Work, not for the food that perishes, but for the food that remains for everlasting life, which the Son of man will give you; for on this one the Father, God himself, has put his seal of approval.” [End Quotation]
He promises that when we put him first, he will care for our physical needs.
2. What is a balanced view of money?
While the Bible acknowledges that “money is a protection,” it also warns that money alone cannot make us happy. (Ecclesiastes 7:12)
[Quotation] Ecclesiastes 7:12: For wisdom is a protection just as money is a protection, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves the life of its owner. [End Quotation]
Thus, we are encouraged not to love money but to be “content with the present things.” (Read Hebrews 13:5.) When we remain content with what we have, we free ourselves from the frustration of always wanting more. We avoid unnecessary debt. (Proverbs 22:7)
[Quotation] Proverbs 22:7: The rich one rules the poor, And the borrower is a slave to the lender. [End Quotation]
And we escape the dangers of gambling and pursuing get-rich-quick schemes.
[Read scripture] Hebrews 13:5: Let your way of life be free of the love of money, while you are content with the present things. For he has said: “I will never leave you, and I will never abandon you.” [End of Read scripture]
3. How can money be used unselfishly?
Jehovah is a generous God, and we imitate him when we are “generous, ready to share.” (1 Timothy 6:18)
[Quotation] 1 Timothy 6:18: Tell them to work at good, to be rich in fine works, to be generous, ready to share, [End Quotation]
We can use our money unselfishly by supporting the congregation and by helping others in need, especially fellow worshippers. Jehovah is most interested in, not the amount we give, but our motive for giving. When we give generously from the heart, we will be happy and we will please Jehovah. Read Acts 20:35.
[Read scripture] Acts 20:35: I have shown you in all things that by working hard in this way, you must assist those who are weak and must keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, when he himself said: ‘There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.' [End of Read scripture]
Dig Deeper
See the benefits of keeping work in its proper place and of being content.
4. Honor Jehovah by the way you work
Our friendship with Jehovah should influence our attitude toward work. Play the video Work Whole-Souled for Jehovah (4:39), and then discuss the questions that follow.
[Disclaimer: The following video is created by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; however, the audio description has been added by independent blind and sighted volunteers to assist those who are blind or have low vision]
[Click for Transcript]|[Work Whole Souled for Jehovah]
[In an office, Thomas, sporting a flannel shirt, a moustache and goatee, types at a desk, Jason approaches Thomas]
Thomas: Sometimes I really hate my job. I don’t know how Jason stays so positive.
[Now outside, Thomas and Jason in yellow high visibility vests receive instruction from a stout man. As Thomas looks on the stout man places a think envelope into Jason’s vest. Jason speaks and hands the envelope back to the man. Now in the break room]
Thomas: I asked Jason why he refused the money, and I found out that he’s one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. My wife is too, so I know a lot about them. But what Jason did really surprised me.
[At an outdoor table during lunch, the two men talk]
I wondered why he didn’t feel like he was entitled to the extra money. He’s such a hard worker, and most of our supervisors accept bribes. Jason showed me a Bible verse: Whatever you are doing, work at it whole-souled as for Jehovah, and not for men.
[Text: Colossians 3:23]
Jason’s relationship with God influences every aspect of his life, even his attitude toward work. He couldn’t participate in something dishonest, even if others did. I could see that Jason really lived by his beliefs.
[In a conference room, the stout man shouts at Jason, pounds the table and walks out. Jason leans back in his chair, Thomas sighs. Now in the break room. A man tosses an empty can into a stuffed garbage. Thomas watches as Jason picks up the can and empties the garbage]
Jason invited me to see the construction project he’s been volunteering at. I felt like I had entered another world. People of different races worked alongside each other without prejudice, and they were all volunteers. Jason offered to study the Bible with me. Emma has asked me to study in the past, and I’ve always refused.
[He recalls his wife Emma and friends invite him to a home Bible study. Emma showing him a Bible text. Laughing together]
But this time, I accepted.
[Emma approaches the open door of their house and sees the two men sitting in the kitchen talking. Thomas with his Bible and Jason his tablet. Her smile widens]
I liked my study and even enjoyed going to the Kingdom Hall occasionally.
[At the Hall, Thomas with no goatee sings with Emma]
But I had to work overtime to support my family. I couldn’t go to meetings every week.
[Thomas at work, Emma at the Kingdom Hall. At the meeting, Emma with a sombre face looks back at the clock. It reads 7:35. Now at the outdoor table, the men have their Bible study]
Thomas: Hey, Jason, how do you do it all, work, family, meetings, even volunteer work?
Jason: I try to keep in mind Jesus’ words at Matthew 6:22.
[They envision a man at night walking through bush carrying a small lit oil lamp]
Jesus compared our eyes to a lamp. He said that if ‘our eye was focused, our whole body would be bright.’
[The man looks up at an owl]
It’s impossible to focus on more than one thing at a time.
[He trips. He drops the oil lamp]
Jesus wanted his followers to focus on a single purpose: that of doing God’s will. Rather than being distracted by material things, my wife and I lead a simple life, avoiding unnecessary debt or acquiring possessions that consume a lot of time and attention. This way of life allows us to have time for what’s truly important. If you asked Emma, which do you think she would prefer: that you made more money or spent more time with her at the Kingdom Hall?
[Thomas leans back in his chair. His head turns slowly. His eyes lower]
Thomas: Jason’s example really impressed me. He was an honest and diligent worker, but he also kept secular work in its proper place. It made me think about the choices I make, and I decided that I too wanted to ‘work whole souled for Jehovah.’
[At work, Thomas looks at the clock. It reads 5:10. He collects his Bible and leaves the office with Jason]
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2019 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]
In the video, what impressed you about Jason’s attitude and conduct at his workplace?
What did he do to keep work in its proper place?
Read Colossians 3:23 and 24, and then discuss the question that follows:
[Read scripture] Colossians 3:23 and 24: Whatever you are doing, work at it whole-souled as for Jehovah, and not for men, for you know that it is from Jehovah you will receive the inheritance as a reward. Slave for the Master, Christ. [End of Read scripture]
Why does our attitude toward work matter?
[Image:] Collage: A man making his secular work a priority. 1. He works in an office during the day. 2. He stays at work in the evening. 3. He continues to work after his coworkers have gone home. 4. He eats supper alone at home. [Image Alt Text:] Collage: The same man making time for more important things. 1. He works in an office during the day. 2. He leaves work at the end of the day. 3. He raises his hand during a congregation meeting. 4. He eats supper with his wife and two children. Caption: Work is important. But we should never allow it to become more important than our worship of Jehovah
5. Contentment benefits us
Many people try to accumulate as much money as they can. But the Bible encourages a different approach. Read 1 Timothy 6:6 through 8, and then discuss the question that follows:
[Read scripture] 1 Timothy 6:6 through 8: To be sure, there is great gain in godly devotion along with contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out. So, having food and clothing, we will be content with these things. [End of Read scripture]
What does the Bible encourage us to do?
Even if we have very little, we can be happy. Play the video Be “Content With the Present Things” (3:20), and then discuss the question that follows.
[Disclaimer: The following video is created by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; however, the audio description has been added by independent blind and sighted volunteers to assist those who are blind or have low vision]
[Click for Transcript]|[Be Content with the Present Things]
[Outside, a man lifts the door off a large brick oven and retrieves a sheet of baked bread with a long bread shovel. Text: Ángel Marcelino Zaragoza. Mexico]
Ángel: The biggest challenge for me and my family has been illness, not having enough money to pay for the treatment we need. Each week I have to save up enough money just to feed my family.
[Cooking in a skillet over a fire pit, he adds sticks to the flames. Text: Lester Manuel. Philippines]
Lester: We were deeply saddened by our situation. First, it was a challenge for us to make ends meet because I didn’t have a regular job.
[With solemn faces, his wife, young son and daughter sit by his side]
I also worried about how my children would suffer if we did not have sufficient food and other material needs.
[In a small, dark kitchen, his wife washes dishes in a plastic bowl. Their son gnaws on a piece of sugarcane. Ángel leads a donkey through a cornfield]
Ángel: I began to think that moving to another country was the only way to provide for my family. As 1 Timothy 5:8 says, it is my responsibility to support them.
[Sitting on a stone step outside, surrounded by tropical foliage Ángel reads a large Bible, then later, relaxed in a wicker chair inside]
What kept me from moving to another country is my love for Jehovah and for my family. As Philippians 1:10 says, we should “make sure of the more important things,” and for my family, our spirituality is very important.
[Sitting outside, Ángel and his family have family worship. Holding hands and sitting on the floor with their Bibles, Lester and his wife pray and smile at each other]
Lester’s wife: The fine advice of an elder strengthened me.
[In a small sunlight room]
He asked, “Does Jehovah only shower blessings abroad?”
[Lester studies the young people ask book with his family. As his wife speaks, her eyes fill with tears]
I remember what he said. From then on, I realized that the most important thing in life is our spirituality, not the material things that we can get from this world, for it will also vanish.”
[Helping his son put on a tie]
Ángel: A great blessing has been keeping our family united and happy despite our difficult situation. I serve as a ministerial servant and an auxiliary pioneer. My daughter, Fátima, is a regular pioneer. Without a doubt, Jehovah blesses our efforts.
[Handing a bag of bread to a brother they shake hands and embrace]
Giving makes me happy. Other brothers and sisters go through times of need just as we do. Thinking of this helps me to focus, not on my problems, but rather on our brotherhood and Jehovah.
[Now Lester and his family in the ministry]
Lester’s wife: I am deeply convinced that we made the right decision as a family. And now we are very happy despite having little materially because I feel content.
[She buys food at a market and with her family, they bring it to an elderly couple at their home]
They say: If you are content, you are rich. And the scripture says it is “Jehovah that makes one rich, and He adds no pain with it.”
[On a table, modest portions of fish, meat kebabs, sauce, vegetables, and bananas]
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2017 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]
Despite having little money, what makes these families happy?
But what if we have much and still want more? Jesus illustrated this danger. Read Luke 12:15 through 21, and then discuss the question that follows:
[Read scripture] Luke 12:15 through 21: Then he said to them: “Keep your eyes open and guard against every sort of greed, because even when a person has an abundance, his life does not result from the things he possesses.” 16 With that he told them an illustration, saying: “The land of a rich man produced well. 17 So he began reasoning within himself, ‘What should I do now that I have nowhere to gather my crops?’ 18 Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my storehouses and build bigger ones, and there I will gather all my grain and all my goods, 19 and I will say to myself: “You have many good things stored up for many years; take it easy, eat, drink, enjoy yourself.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Unreasonable one, this night they are demanding your life from you. Who, then, is to have the things you stored up?’ 21 So it goes with the man who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.” [End of Read scripture]
What have you learned from Jesus’ illustration? See verse 15.
Read and compare Proverbs 10:22 and 1 Timothy 6:10. Then discuss the questions that follow:
[Read scripture] Proverbs 10:22: It is the blessing of Jehovah that makes one rich, And He adds no pain with it. [End of Read scripture]
[Read scripture] 1 Timothy 6:10: For the love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things, and by reaching out for this love some have been led astray from the faith and have stabbed themselves all over with many pains. [End of Read scripture]
What do you think is more important? Having a friendship with Jehovah or having lots of money? Why?
What problems come from chasing after money?
6. Jehovah will care for our needs
Work and money problems can test our faith in Jehovah. Play the video Jehovah Will Care for Our Needs (6:21) to see how we can deal with such tests of faith, and then discuss the questions that follow.
[Disclaimer: The following video is created by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; however, the audio description has been added by independent blind and sighted volunteers to assist those who are blind or have low vision]
[Click for Transcript]|[Jehovah will Care for Our Needs]
[In a restaurant, a man in an apron and chef’s hat chops vegetables when a man brings a ticket order to him. Taking the ticket, he studies it, widening his eyes and looking over at his fellow chef. They confidently nod]
Chef: I’ve always enjoyed my work and even the people I worked with.
[After setting the timer, he chops mushrooms tomatoes, and lettuce, then sautés the mushrooms. Back to the timer, he flips burgers, stacks the fixings onto the burger, puts fries on the plate, then puts it onto the serving window. The server smiles as he takes the plate, and a co-worker pats him on the back]
It’s hard to balance work and meetings.
[Looking up at the clock, he gets ready for the meeting]
But since I was baptized, I’ve always done my best to be there.
[At the Kingdom Hall, his wife approaches him, and they warmly smile]
My wife is a great support,
[His daughter cheerfully pokes her head around the corner]
and we work hard to teach our children.
[Then he hugs her]
They’ve been my greatest joy.
[Kneeling down to her]
I want to make sure that they’re cared for.
[He gives her a coin for the contribution box]
I believed that if I worked hard enough,
[Sings with wife and three children]
I’d always be able to provide for my family.
[In an office with his boss]
But my boss wanted more than I was willing to give.
[Nervously he looks down]
He insisted that I work Sundays during my meeting.
[Now explaining to his wife, she nods]
I needed this job. My wife and I were worried.
[Joyfully, the children color pictures]
What would happen if I lost it?
[Sighing, he puts his arm around his wife]
I was determined to take a stand for my meetings.
[Back in the office]
I spoke to my boss and explained my decision, but he refused to compromise.
[Boss points to the door. Disheartened, he walks out into a dark room]
I was shocked.
[Fades into total darkness]
I didn’t think this was how it was supposed to go.
[Packs things from locker]
How would I support my family?
[At home, on computer, searches jobs for line cook, finds shift work]
Paul studied the Bible with me. We’ve been close ever since. He invited me out, and I guess he’d heard about what happened.
[At a bowling alley, he bowls with Paul and gets a strike]
He really listened as I poured out my concerns.
[They talked together]
I wondered if I should have just done what my boss insisted. I would have missed my meeting, but I still could have attended an evening meeting at a different congregation.
[He gets a gutter ball and they both shake their heads]
My skills were limited, and there just weren’t that many jobs out there for me. I told him I was seriously considering a job that would involve a lot of travel.
[After another gutter ball, he sinks into a chair next to Paul]
Paul read to me from Matthew 6:25-33:
[Paul reads from his phone]
“Stop being anxious about your lives as to what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your bodies as to what you will wear”
[Text: Matthew 6:25]
“Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you.”
[Text: Matthew 6:33]
He reminded me that as a newly baptized Witness, my prayers are much more readily received, and Jehovah was ready to respond.
[A new set of bowling pins]
He encouraged me to include Jehovah in my decision.
[With a slight nod and smile, he bowls a strike]
Patience is not easy for me, but I decided to look to Jehovah to provide the right job. So, every day I kept looking.
[Passes out resumes to multiple employers who shrug, look sceptical and wave him away]
But work never came.
[Slouching at his laptop, he searches job postings. The screen reads ‘sorry, no jobs were found that matched your search’. Falling back into his chair, he exhales slowly and closes his eyes, shaking his head. Six months later, sitting in the dining room]
I never thought that it would go on so long. Eventually, I had to go on unemployment insurance so we could get by.
[Hugs his wife]
I knew that I was doing the right thing, but I couldn’t help feeling that I was letting my family down.
[While his daughter is in bed, he reads to her from the book ‘Learn from the Great Teacher’]
One night, I was reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew chapter 6:
[Looks at illustration of Jesus teaching crowd]
“Observe intently the birds of heaven;
[Imagines birds]
they do not sow seed or reap or gather into storehouses, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they are?”
[In the background, men labour to harvest wheat]
I realized that I was still relying on myself and not fully throwing my anxiety on Jehovah.
[Puts arm around sleeping daughter]
My skills may be limited, but Jehovah’s are not.
[Reads the text with family]
So, I kept on looking,
[Gives resume]
but I used my extra time to auxiliary pioneer.
[With Paul in the ministry]
It was just what I needed. Eventually, Jehovah opened the door and blessed my patience with a job that was nearby with good hours for my meetings. I even had more time for the ministry with my family.
[Family makes pizza]
It was not an easy experience, but my faith in Jehovah was stronger than ever. I saw him act in my behalf, and I know that he really does care for me and my family.
[On the wall, a framed painting of two yellow birds, surrounded by cherry blossoms]
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2015 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]
In the video, what challenges did the brother face?
What did he do to deal with the challenges successfully?
Read Matthew 6:25 through 34, and then discuss the question that follows:
[Read scripture] Matthew 6:25 through 34: “On this account I say to you: Stop being anxious about your lives as to what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your bodies as to what you will wear. Does not life mean more than food and the body than clothing? Observe intently the birds of heaven; they do not sow seed or reap or gather into storehouses, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they are? Who of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his life span? Also, why are you anxious about clothing? Take a lesson from the lilies of the field, how they grow; they do not toil, nor do they spin; but I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. Now if this is how God clothes the vegetation of the field that is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much rather clothe you, you with little faith? So never be anxious and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or, ‘What are we to drink?’ or, ‘What are we to wear?’ For all these are the things the nations are eagerly pursuing. Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you. So never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles. [End of Read scripture]
What does Jehovah promise to do for those who put him first?
[Box]
Some People Say: “I have to work hard to support my family. I can’t go to congregation meetings every week.” What scripture convinces you that putting your worship of Jehovah first is always the best decision? [End of box]
Summary
Secular work and money are necessary, but they should never distract us from serving Jehovah.
Review
What can help you to keep a balanced view of work?
How does contentment benefit you?
How can you show your trust in Jehovah’s promise to provide for his people?
Goal
Review whether your work has caused you to miss meetings regularly over the past few months. If so, make a plan to improve the situation. Set Other Goals
Explore
Examine whether the Bible portrays money as evil. “Is Money the Root of All Evil?” (Web article)
[Click for article]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]
Learn what kind of giving pleases God. “What Does the Bible Say About Giving?” (Web article)
[Click for article]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]
Is gambling just an innocent diversion? “The Bible’s Viewpoint—Gambling” (Awake!, March 2015)
[Click for article]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]
See what motivated a gambler and burglar to change his lifestyle. “I Was Passionate About Racehorses” (The Watchtower, November 1, 2011)
[Click for article]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]