Doing GOOD at the Workplace By Al Diestelkamp
In writing to
Titus, the apostle Paul said "And let our people also learn
to maintain good works" (Tit. 3:14). He was not referring
to benevolent deeds, but to the occupations we choose. Thus,
Christians need to choose careers which are "good,"
and which meet "urgent needs." In other words, we need
to do something which is both honorable and useful.
There are some occupations
which do not involve the worker in evil, but might not be "useful."
When I was about to graduate from high school, in anticipation
of seeking employment in the printing industry, I took a tour
of a major Chicago newspaper printing plant. At one point I was
shown a whole department where workers were busy setting type
and composing advertisements for the paper. A sign indicated
we were in the "Bogus Department." I asked what that
meant, and was told that some advertisers supplied their own
ad makeup, eliminating the need for the newspaper company to
provide that service. However, because of a union contract, they
were required to hire people to set the type, compose the ads,
proofread them and then destroy them. These were jobs which served
no useful purpose beyond their own paychecks. The Christian will
want to do something which will be beneficial to others.
The one who once chose
dishonest means of making a living is commanded to "steal
no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands"
(Eph. 4:28). However, not only must we choose careers or jobs
that are useful and honest, but the Bible teaches us to be diligent
in our work.
The Bible was written
in such a way as to be relevant for every age. While we are fortunate
to live in a time and place where slavery is unlawful, that has
not always been the case, and in some parts of the world slavery
still exists. Therefore, we should not be surprised that the
Bible has admonitions for both slaves and masters.
Though we are not faced
with slavery issues, the principles within these instructions
can help guide us to be godly employees or employers. If God
expects....
Click to continue
Back
to top
Our Attitude Toward
the Lost
By Rick Liggin
What is your attitude
toward the losttoward those separated from God because of their
sin? As Christians, we are in hot pursuit of righteousness (2
Tim. 2:22); we "abhor what is evil" and "cling
to what is good" (Rom. 12:9). Our attitude toward sin is
that we "hate every false way," no matter what form
it takes (Psa. 119:104). And to be quite honest, this approach
to sin--which, frankly, is the right approach--sometimes affects
the way we feel about those engrossed in sin. We get to where
we not only despise the sin, but we also despise the sinner.
This clearly was the attitude
of the self-righteous Jew in Jesus' day. The Pharisees were particularly
bad about trusting "in themselves that they were righteous,"
while they "despised others" (Lk. 18:9). You can almost
hear the contempt in their voices as they referred to certain
"types" as "tax-gatherers and sinners" (Lk.
15:1-2; cf. 7:39).
Is that the way we see
sinners? Oh, we may not be self-righteous like the hypocritical
Pharisees, but do we sometimes look down our noses at those who
are drowning is sin? Hopefully not! But what should our attitude
be toward the lost?
As with almost everything
for the Christian, the answer lies in the example of our Lord...
Click to continue
Back to top
It is with some
trepidation that I dare to discuss the anatomy of the human body,
specifically that of the opposite sex. However, as a man who
is trying to be pure in thought and as a father who is attempting
to raise honorable sons and daughters, I am compelled to speak
up about the amount of female breast that is being exposed these
days.
My wife Karen and I were
at a mall this past week and were amazed at how revealing the
average woman's garments were. I am not exaggerating when I say
that it was the exception to see a woman who was not showing
some amount of cleavage. Often these revealing garments were
also form fitting and so defined and accentuated the figure as
to leave little to the imagination.
A casual perusal of the
clothing stores reveals why this is so. From the advertising
to the stock on hand, sensuality characterizes the fashions of
the day. Everything from casual to dress to formal is designed
to be "sexy." One cannot go through the young women's
sections without feeling as if he has entered a lingerie department.
Some might say my reaction to our recent trip to the mall reflects
a naivete that suggests I need to get out more often. Au contraire,
I think it would be better for me to pluck out my eye (Matt.
5:29)....
Click to continue
Back to top
What COLOR is the Church? By
Karl Diestelkamp
Radical, inflamatory statements
from a Chicago denominational preacher, Jeremiah Wright, caused
a media frenzy focusing attention on what they referred to as
"the black church." The media, in its usual disregard
of facts, wondered aloud if Wright was representative of people
in the "black church." By "black church,"
they have in mind churches composed
entirely, or mostly, of "black people" and dominated
by a "black preacher." If there is such an entity
("something that has separate and distinct existence or
conceptual reality," Webster Ninth Collegiate Dictionary,
p.416) as the "black church," it certainly is not
the church of Christ (Matt. 16:18).
No one can have a problem
with a congregation of the Lord's people being composed of all,
or mostly, black members--or white members--or any other
skin color, if those are the only people who are converted to
Christ who live, work, and worship in a given area. But, to separate
people for the sake of having a "white church," or
"black church," or any other "color" church,
flies in the face of Jesus Christ who prayed, "that they
may all be onethat the world may believe that thou didst send
me" (Jn. 17:21). When will some people learn that the church
of Jesus Christ has no "color."?
Though Jesus was sent
"unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel" [Jews]
(Matt. 15:24), He also said, "And other sheep [Gentiles]
I have, which are not of this fold [Israelites]: them also I
must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become
one flock, one shepherd" (Jn. 10:16). He spelled
that out in the commission to his apostles: "Make disciples
of all nations" (Matt. 28:18); "Go ye into all the
world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation [every creature]"
(Mk. 16:15). Notice: No reference to color, or lack of color,
of any kind.
Click to continue
Back to top
BETTER ATTITUDES By Leslie Diestelkamp
The need for better
attitudes among brethren in Christ can hardly be denied, but
this need should be emphasized. Many, many of the divisions that
come and much of the strife that prevails must be attributed
to bad attitudes. Of course, doctrinal differences do cause trouble,
and these are usually blamed for almost all troubles, but perhaps
most such doctrinal matters could be settled, or at least we
could learn to "live and let live," if our attitudes
were right. Even the following very brief suggestions could help:
1. We ought to leave matters
of judgment with the Lord. It is not our responsibility to determine
the decisions God will make. "Judge not, that ye be not
judged,"is still a basic principle of the teaching of Jesus
(Matt. 7:1).
2. Before we criticize
others for their failures and weaknesses, we should consider
their circumstances. Somebody illustrated this point when he
said, "We should not criticize the man who limps until we
have walked in his shoes."
Click to continue
Back to top
By
Steve Fontenot
Reuben, Simeon, and Levi
marriage? Now, we've heard of a "Reuben sandwich,"
but a "Reuben marriage"? Leah had one.
"And Leah conceived
and bore a son and named him Reuben, for she said, 'because the
Lord has seen my affliction; surely now my husband will love
me.' Then she conceived again and bore a son and said, 'because
the Lord has heard that I am unloved' So she named him
Simeon. And she conceived again and bore a son and said, 'Now
this time my husband will become attached to me' Therefore
he was named Levi" (Gen. 29:32-34).
"Surely now my
husband will love me"
cannot refer to sex--she had that.
"I am unloved"? Did not Jacob provide her housing,
food, clothing? Is that not "love"? It is, and it is
important. But something was lacking. There is another kind of
love--a love she needed and wanted.
"Become attached"? But wasn't she married to Jacob?
What does she mean? She felt Jacob was "detached."
Not legally--they were married. Not physically--they had children.
"Detached" - "3. Marked by an absence of emotional
involvement and an aloof, impersonal objectivity" [American
Heritage Dictionary, Third Edition]. Is there another kind
of "love"--a love of emotional attachment...?
"Romance" - "1.b. Ardent emotional attachment
or involvement between people, especially that characterized
by a high level of purity and devotion; love: They kept the
romance alive in their marriage for 35 years" [Ibid].
I don't know how this
may have been reflected in their culture. Today, it may be in
such simple things as holding hands, enjoying a walk together,
time for chitchat, a gentle touch, "sweet nothings"
whispered into the earwell, you can use your own imagination.
A Reuben sandwich--good.
A "Reuben marriage," i.e., "cut the romance"--not
good. "Reuben," "Simeon," and "Levi"--names
that stand as testimonials to what this woman (and many women
today) wanted so badly but did not have. Remember men, the Lord
"sees" (Reuben) and "hears" (Simeon) the
"affliction" of a woman that longs for such "attachment"
(Levi).
Steve Fontenot
18542 Crestline
Road, Humble, TX 77396
Email: sp63@mac.com
Back to top