WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.839 Our reading today is a selection from the book of Proverbs. 00:00:06.560 --> 00:00:11.560 A worker's appetite works for him, his mouth urges him on. 00:00:13.240 --> 00:00:20.019 The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it. 00:00:21.719 --> 00:00:29.100 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.880 Do you see a man skillful in his work? 00:00:34.520 --> 00:00:36.480 He will stand before kings. 00:00:36.920 --> 00:00:39.399 He will not stand before obscure men. 00:00:41.519 --> 00:00:48.920 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him. 00:00:50.900 --> 00:00:58.100 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight. 00:00:58.100 --> 00:01:05.740 The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice. 00:01:07.900 --> 00:01:17.939 Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth or gives to the rich will only come to poverty. 00:01:19.260 --> 00:01:21.020 This is the word of God. 00:01:21.019 --> 00:01:23.019 Great. 00:01:27.799 --> 00:01:28.259 Thanks, Karen. 00:01:28.879 --> 00:01:29.239 Yeah. 00:01:29.579 --> 00:01:30.619 We're doing some Proverbs. 00:01:30.739 --> 00:01:33.000 This is a topical series about faith and work. 00:01:33.399 --> 00:01:35.719 And yeah, I thought why not speak from Proverbs? 00:01:35.840 --> 00:01:37.919 Because Proverbs is this great practical book. 00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:38.539 Right? 00:01:38.599 --> 00:01:39.739 It's very down to earth. 00:01:40.060 --> 00:01:42.819 It's all over the place because that's the kind of book it is. 00:01:42.819 --> 00:01:46.739 But I think it's useful because, you know, work is an important thing. 00:01:46.919 --> 00:01:48.699 It's great to have the youth here today. 00:01:49.539 --> 00:01:51.259 And work is what it's all about. 00:01:51.339 --> 00:01:51.500 Right? 00:01:51.519 --> 00:01:54.159 You're doing homework and you're studying hard. 00:01:54.259 --> 00:01:54.459 Why? 00:01:54.559 --> 00:01:55.500 Well, so you can get to uni. 00:01:56.199 --> 00:01:57.359 And why do you go to uni? 00:01:57.479 --> 00:01:58.379 Well, so you can work. 00:01:59.060 --> 00:02:00.639 That is, I think, what most of us think. 00:02:00.699 --> 00:02:00.859 Right? 00:02:01.379 --> 00:02:03.459 But then, okay, why is work so important? 00:02:03.579 --> 00:02:04.400 Why do we work? 00:02:05.039 --> 00:02:06.180 And what work should I do? 00:02:06.299 --> 00:02:06.459 Right? 00:02:07.780 --> 00:02:10.620 You get uni advising and career advising. 00:02:11.039 --> 00:02:14.680 And many students here probably wonder, okay, what job should I apply to? 00:02:14.819 --> 00:02:15.979 And what should I do? 00:02:16.020 --> 00:02:17.079 And it's not just the students. 00:02:17.240 --> 00:02:17.400 Right? 00:02:17.719 --> 00:02:18.379 Young graduates. 00:02:18.659 --> 00:02:20.620 And you're in your job for a few years. 00:02:20.719 --> 00:02:21.680 Oh, should I move on? 00:02:21.699 --> 00:02:22.719 Or what should I do? 00:02:23.759 --> 00:02:27.979 Maybe you're in a midlife crisis and you wonder, am I really going to do this for another 20 years? 00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:29.099 Or should I change my job? 00:02:29.659 --> 00:02:29.879 Right? 00:02:29.879 --> 00:02:32.340 But it's a big thing for us, our work. 00:02:32.740 --> 00:02:36.819 And so, well, let's learn from what the Bible says. 00:02:37.120 --> 00:02:41.039 And, yeah, today will be nice and practical, theory. 00:02:41.599 --> 00:02:47.000 I want us to look at Proverbs and just look at three basic question words. 00:02:47.099 --> 00:02:49.519 Now, there's lots in Proverbs that I could look at. 00:02:51.060 --> 00:02:53.519 And the thing is, of course, you know, work is a big thing. 00:02:53.719 --> 00:02:53.840 Right? 00:02:56.759 --> 00:02:58.159 Sorry, I forgot something. 00:02:59.879 --> 00:03:05.579 Yeah, work is a big thing here in Hong Kong, as we know. 00:03:05.740 --> 00:03:10.919 Yeah, if you were wondering, the next slide was about the working hours here in Hong Kong, 00:03:11.019 --> 00:03:13.479 50 hours a week on average, apparently. 00:03:13.479 --> 00:03:17.019 If you guys, that is what you're doing. 00:03:17.019 --> 00:03:18.459 And most of us know that, right? 00:03:18.479 --> 00:03:20.280 We spend so much time at work. 00:03:20.620 --> 00:03:21.859 I guess we want to do it right. 00:03:23.299 --> 00:03:29.340 Maybe if you want to work a bit less, why don't you move to Paris, where people work less than 31 hours a week. 00:03:29.899 --> 00:03:30.299 Right? 00:03:31.159 --> 00:03:32.039 No, seriously. 00:03:33.579 --> 00:03:33.819 No. 00:03:33.919 --> 00:03:36.299 But work is not just about the hours we put in, right? 00:03:36.300 --> 00:03:40.000 I hope from today we can feel, okay, work is important. 00:03:40.200 --> 00:03:41.040 And work is good. 00:03:41.580 --> 00:03:43.280 And work is how we serve God. 00:03:43.400 --> 00:03:44.980 But how do we serve God? 00:03:45.560 --> 00:03:48.180 Well, the book of Proverbs, of course, has a lot to say about work. 00:03:48.400 --> 00:03:50.800 There's lots of stuff that we could look at. 00:03:51.340 --> 00:03:53.820 You know, lots of verses are applicable to everything. 00:03:54.080 --> 00:03:55.780 So, here's a nice verse. 00:03:55.780 --> 00:04:01.039 You know, a soft answer turns away rough, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 00:04:01.740 --> 00:04:03.759 Now, that's a great verse for social media, right? 00:04:04.439 --> 00:04:06.860 It's also a great verse for your work team meeting. 00:04:07.379 --> 00:04:09.439 So, there's lots of stuff that we could talk about. 00:04:09.500 --> 00:04:11.979 But I want to talk about three simple question words. 00:04:12.099 --> 00:04:12.699 Why work? 00:04:13.139 --> 00:04:14.340 What work should we do? 00:04:14.759 --> 00:04:15.780 And how to work? 00:04:15.860 --> 00:04:16.579 Those three things. 00:04:16.759 --> 00:04:16.939 Okay? 00:04:17.000 --> 00:04:17.720 So, that's where we're going. 00:04:18.500 --> 00:04:20.060 So, why do we work? 00:04:21.000 --> 00:04:23.680 Well, in a way, it's very simple. 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:25.900 Proverbs is very down to earth. 00:04:26.300 --> 00:04:27.920 You know, provide money for yourself. 00:04:28.120 --> 00:04:29.040 Provide for yourself, right? 00:04:29.139 --> 00:04:32.199 So, Proverbs 15 to 16, 26. 00:04:32.360 --> 00:04:34.180 A worker's appetite works for him. 00:04:34.620 --> 00:04:36.139 His mouth urges him on. 00:04:36.600 --> 00:04:39.840 Why do you see people working hard in pretty hard jobs? 00:04:39.960 --> 00:04:41.819 Well, they want food on the table. 00:04:41.939 --> 00:04:42.560 They need money. 00:04:42.980 --> 00:04:43.540 It's very simple. 00:04:43.620 --> 00:04:44.399 And it's not just you. 00:04:44.939 --> 00:04:45.699 It's your family. 00:04:46.480 --> 00:04:47.379 Proverbs 27. 00:04:48.319 --> 00:04:50.500 Know well the condition of your flocks. 00:04:50.939 --> 00:04:52.399 And give attention to your herds. 00:04:52.399 --> 00:04:54.899 The lambs will provide your clothing. 00:04:55.159 --> 00:04:56.759 And the goats the price of a field. 00:04:57.239 --> 00:04:59.439 There will be enough goat's milk for your food. 00:04:59.879 --> 00:05:01.239 For the food of your household. 00:05:01.379 --> 00:05:02.539 And maintenance for your girls. 00:05:02.799 --> 00:05:02.899 Right? 00:05:03.379 --> 00:05:05.959 Your household needs food and clothing. 00:05:06.159 --> 00:05:07.719 And so, you work. 00:05:07.819 --> 00:05:10.899 You're a good farmer looking after your goats and sheep. 00:05:11.120 --> 00:05:11.259 Right? 00:05:11.679 --> 00:05:12.479 Makes sense. 00:05:12.560 --> 00:05:14.339 You provide for your family. 00:05:15.399 --> 00:05:16.759 But it's more than that, right? 00:05:17.139 --> 00:05:20.560 Because at the same time, you also serve society. 00:05:20.560 --> 00:05:22.459 So, here's an interesting proverb. 00:05:22.860 --> 00:05:23.660 11.26. 00:05:24.399 --> 00:05:27.079 The people curse him who holds back grain. 00:05:27.639 --> 00:05:30.540 But a blessing is on the head of him who sells it. 00:05:31.540 --> 00:05:33.160 And what is the contrast here? 00:05:33.439 --> 00:05:35.000 What do people appreciate? 00:05:35.560 --> 00:05:37.160 Someone who sells their grain. 00:05:37.560 --> 00:05:39.420 Rather than someone who hoards it. 00:05:40.279 --> 00:05:42.379 Now, it doesn't mean you have to give your grain away. 00:05:43.480 --> 00:05:44.079 This is, yeah. 00:05:44.139 --> 00:05:44.879 You have a village. 00:05:45.240 --> 00:05:46.699 And, you know, there's people there. 00:05:46.699 --> 00:05:48.920 And one person, he has all the grain. 00:05:49.539 --> 00:05:51.719 And the problem is the other people need that. 00:05:52.519 --> 00:05:54.259 And so, how can you be a blessing? 00:05:54.519 --> 00:05:55.800 Well, you sell your grain. 00:05:56.000 --> 00:05:58.199 You contribute to the needs of others. 00:05:59.019 --> 00:06:00.319 And so, you serve society. 00:06:01.099 --> 00:06:01.899 That is what we do. 00:06:01.939 --> 00:06:02.399 Because, yeah. 00:06:02.439 --> 00:06:03.379 Not everyone has that. 00:06:03.919 --> 00:06:06.439 And I think that's what work is like. 00:06:06.819 --> 00:06:10.459 I mean, why is society so much more developed now than in the past? 00:06:10.539 --> 00:06:11.699 Well, because people are specializing. 00:06:12.819 --> 00:06:12.959 Right? 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:14.240 We all do different things. 00:06:14.360 --> 00:06:15.100 Why is the church? 00:06:15.500 --> 00:06:16.600 How does the church work well? 00:06:16.699 --> 00:06:18.220 Well, we all have different gifts. 00:06:18.360 --> 00:06:19.220 And we all contribute. 00:06:19.460 --> 00:06:21.699 And you must be really glad I'm not on the music team. 00:06:22.019 --> 00:06:22.240 Right? 00:06:22.340 --> 00:06:25.960 And other people, well, they're not very good at production. 00:06:26.400 --> 00:06:26.939 Et cetera. 00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:27.680 Right? 00:06:27.720 --> 00:06:28.980 And that's the same in society. 00:06:29.639 --> 00:06:31.500 You know, we all have something to contribute. 00:06:32.180 --> 00:06:33.879 You know, I can't give myself a haircut. 00:06:34.019 --> 00:06:34.819 But maybe you can. 00:06:36.019 --> 00:06:36.980 Those kind of things. 00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:38.879 We need each other. 00:06:38.879 --> 00:06:40.160 That is society. 00:06:40.860 --> 00:06:43.519 Imagine if you were the only person alive. 00:06:44.240 --> 00:06:45.420 What would your life be like? 00:06:45.500 --> 00:06:45.620 Right? 00:06:45.620 --> 00:06:46.840 You have to grow your own food. 00:06:47.900 --> 00:06:49.000 Make your own clean water. 00:06:50.460 --> 00:06:51.579 Make your own clothes. 00:06:51.740 --> 00:06:52.980 Generate your own electricity. 00:06:53.319 --> 00:06:54.560 To watch your own Marvel movies. 00:06:54.920 --> 00:06:55.780 You can't do that. 00:06:56.160 --> 00:06:57.160 We can't live like that. 00:06:57.420 --> 00:06:57.600 No. 00:06:57.720 --> 00:06:59.420 Instead, we have the doctor. 00:06:59.600 --> 00:07:00.100 And the teacher. 00:07:00.660 --> 00:07:01.660 And the blacksmith. 00:07:02.120 --> 00:07:03.400 And, you know, the farmer. 00:07:03.879 --> 00:07:05.900 And the person transporting it. 00:07:05.939 --> 00:07:07.120 And the person selling it. 00:07:07.280 --> 00:07:08.379 And all that stuff. 00:07:08.379 --> 00:07:10.100 That is how society works. 00:07:11.019 --> 00:07:11.160 Right? 00:07:11.160 --> 00:07:12.540 And, yeah. 00:07:12.680 --> 00:07:13.740 That's how we serve each other. 00:07:14.620 --> 00:07:16.260 But if you put it all together. 00:07:16.680 --> 00:07:18.160 I think the big answer is. 00:07:18.240 --> 00:07:19.140 Why do we work? 00:07:19.200 --> 00:07:20.300 We work out of love. 00:07:21.120 --> 00:07:21.420 Right? 00:07:21.700 --> 00:07:24.780 Why do you serve society out of love? 00:07:25.320 --> 00:07:26.620 You want to benefit others. 00:07:26.900 --> 00:07:28.680 And why do you provide for your family? 00:07:28.860 --> 00:07:29.480 Well, that's love. 00:07:29.560 --> 00:07:29.720 Right? 00:07:29.760 --> 00:07:30.520 Love for your family. 00:07:31.260 --> 00:07:32.860 And even providing for yourself. 00:07:33.020 --> 00:07:34.500 The New Testament says that's love. 00:07:35.200 --> 00:07:35.960 You might think. 00:07:36.020 --> 00:07:37.180 Well, this is just my own paycheck. 00:07:38.180 --> 00:07:40.060 Yeah, but if you work for yourself. 00:07:40.060 --> 00:07:42.100 Then you're not being a burden to others. 00:07:42.740 --> 00:07:42.900 Right? 00:07:42.959 --> 00:07:43.879 Because if you don't work. 00:07:43.959 --> 00:07:45.139 Someone else needs to pay for you. 00:07:46.139 --> 00:07:48.060 I'm not saying you can't be a student. 00:07:48.280 --> 00:07:50.000 Or a stay-at-home parent. 00:07:50.300 --> 00:07:51.500 Or a charity volunteer. 00:07:51.500 --> 00:07:52.460 Or any of that. 00:07:53.120 --> 00:07:53.360 Right? 00:07:53.960 --> 00:07:55.079 Maybe you're unemployed. 00:07:56.460 --> 00:07:57.340 But, you know, yeah. 00:07:57.399 --> 00:07:58.399 The lazy person. 00:07:58.460 --> 00:07:58.579 Right? 00:07:58.579 --> 00:07:59.319 They sleep late. 00:07:59.379 --> 00:08:00.100 And they watch TV. 00:08:00.259 --> 00:08:01.240 And they hang out with friends. 00:08:01.240 --> 00:08:02.500 While other people pay for them. 00:08:02.560 --> 00:08:03.180 That's selfish. 00:08:03.740 --> 00:08:05.899 The loving thing is to just go out there. 00:08:05.899 --> 00:08:07.060 And work and contribute. 00:08:08.019 --> 00:08:10.419 And so, we work out of love. 00:08:11.359 --> 00:08:13.259 After all, what's Jesus' great commandment? 00:08:13.819 --> 00:08:14.039 Right? 00:08:14.120 --> 00:08:15.459 Love God and love your neighbor. 00:08:15.599 --> 00:08:18.620 Well, you work because you love society. 00:08:19.019 --> 00:08:20.179 You love your family. 00:08:20.959 --> 00:08:21.699 Yeah, you love. 00:08:23.199 --> 00:08:23.939 That's great, right? 00:08:24.120 --> 00:08:25.039 I mean, what is love? 00:08:25.139 --> 00:08:27.899 Love is sacrificing for the good of others. 00:08:29.459 --> 00:08:29.719 Right? 00:08:30.239 --> 00:08:31.120 That's what you do. 00:08:31.699 --> 00:08:32.600 You get out of bed. 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:33.740 You sacrifice your time. 00:08:33.840 --> 00:08:36.420 You sacrifice your energy for the good of others. 00:08:37.320 --> 00:08:37.960 It's love. 00:08:38.100 --> 00:08:39.300 Work is love. 00:08:39.840 --> 00:08:41.560 Isn't that a wonderful thing? 00:08:41.940 --> 00:08:42.120 Right? 00:08:42.639 --> 00:08:43.779 Actually, you're loving there. 00:08:43.820 --> 00:08:45.540 And maybe you're in this job. 00:08:45.860 --> 00:08:47.460 And, you know, maybe it's a bit boring. 00:08:47.639 --> 00:08:48.399 It's hard work. 00:08:48.820 --> 00:08:50.300 Remember, you are loving people. 00:08:50.460 --> 00:08:51.480 You're loving your family. 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:53.460 You're loving society. 00:08:54.600 --> 00:08:56.139 Doesn't that motivate you? 00:08:56.159 --> 00:08:57.480 Doesn't that give you some encouragement? 00:08:58.399 --> 00:09:00.139 I'm here to love people. 00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:02.439 Maybe you're here as a youth. 00:09:02.539 --> 00:09:03.620 Why are you doing homework? 00:09:03.819 --> 00:09:05.580 Why do you do all that? 00:09:05.679 --> 00:09:08.580 Well, when you grow up, then you can love people better. 00:09:08.799 --> 00:09:11.699 The more educated you are, the more skills and knowledge you have. 00:09:12.240 --> 00:09:13.360 You can love people better. 00:09:13.580 --> 00:09:14.559 What a great motivation. 00:09:15.600 --> 00:09:16.980 That's, I think, what the Bible would say. 00:09:17.100 --> 00:09:17.799 It's just love. 00:09:19.220 --> 00:09:21.299 Of course, I know what you're all thinking, right? 00:09:22.019 --> 00:09:23.240 That is so unreal. 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:25.179 That is really not how the world works, right? 00:09:26.179 --> 00:09:32.259 I remember whenever I applied for a job, I've never seen a company saying, come here, work for us, then you can love people. 00:09:34.219 --> 00:09:36.039 Well, hold that thought. 00:09:36.179 --> 00:09:40.959 Because the next thing you then probably wonder, yeah, so what job should I do? 00:09:41.559 --> 00:09:41.819 All right? 00:09:42.859 --> 00:09:46.739 Well, what does Proverbs have to say about what job to do? 00:09:46.779 --> 00:09:48.179 And I think the answer is nothing. 00:09:49.419 --> 00:09:50.179 There's very little. 00:09:50.179 --> 00:09:54.039 There's no verse somewhere that says you should be a lawyer or something like that, right? 00:09:54.779 --> 00:09:55.479 Don't know. 00:09:55.759 --> 00:09:58.519 If you think that's what the Bible, the Bible doesn't work like that. 00:09:58.979 --> 00:10:00.579 It has very little about jobs. 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:04.539 It just, you know, it tells us to work, which means, in a way, you're free. 00:10:05.539 --> 00:10:07.419 You just need to apply the principles here. 00:10:07.500 --> 00:10:08.199 And what's the principle? 00:10:08.699 --> 00:10:09.579 Well, love. 00:10:10.519 --> 00:10:11.819 How can you love people? 00:10:12.599 --> 00:10:14.199 You have certain skills. 00:10:14.799 --> 00:10:16.359 There's maybe things you enjoy doing. 00:10:16.360 --> 00:10:21.360 Well, how can I do what I enjoy doing to bless people, to love them? 00:10:22.220 --> 00:10:24.360 It's a great thing to think about, right? 00:10:24.379 --> 00:10:30.500 As you're a student or when you're in school, how can I love people with the person I am and the skills I have? 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:31.740 Love. 00:10:33.220 --> 00:10:36.740 Of course, you need to think about your income as well, right? 00:10:38.480 --> 00:10:42.080 Maybe you can write poetry, and that's a really wonderful thing. 00:10:42.340 --> 00:10:45.840 It just doesn't earn very much, right, in the most expensive city in the world. 00:10:46.360 --> 00:10:49.919 So, in that case, yeah, you also have to provide for yourself and your family. 00:10:50.060 --> 00:10:51.379 Maybe do that in your spare time. 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:53.980 You don't know. 00:10:54.060 --> 00:11:00.100 I once had this kind of guy in my church, and he was in IT, and he was just really frustrated with his job. 00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:01.899 And he wanted to quit his job. 00:11:02.019 --> 00:11:04.060 And, you know, I want to create a video game. 00:11:04.120 --> 00:11:05.200 That's always been my dream. 00:11:06.300 --> 00:11:07.340 Yeah, but how about your rent? 00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:10.220 And how about your kids' tuition fees and all that stuff, right? 00:11:10.220 --> 00:11:14.440 So, yeah, I told him maybe stay in spare time, right? 00:11:15.940 --> 00:11:17.019 Here's a great verse. 00:11:18.580 --> 00:11:24.759 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty. 00:11:25.779 --> 00:11:27.040 Worthless doesn't mean it's dodgy. 00:11:27.440 --> 00:11:31.660 He who chases fantasies will be full of poverty. 00:11:31.659 --> 00:11:35.079 So, sometimes you just need to do your job and provide for your family. 00:11:35.679 --> 00:11:36.919 But, in a way, it doesn't matter. 00:11:37.419 --> 00:11:38.919 You know, whatever benefits society. 00:11:39.100 --> 00:11:40.339 But there's lots of people, right? 00:11:40.939 --> 00:11:46.659 The doctor, the teacher, the garbage collector, the street cleaner, they all benefit society. 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:49.199 It doesn't help you very much. 00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:50.919 But at the same time, it's kind of freeing. 00:11:52.120 --> 00:11:54.879 But at the same time, I know what you're all thinking, right? 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:59.399 This is so unreal because why do you work? 00:12:00.059 --> 00:12:12.899 Well, I think modern people, we all think about, you know, self-fulfillment and job satisfaction and reaching my potential and reaching the top, right, of my profession. 00:12:13.159 --> 00:12:14.620 And I want to be ambitious. 00:12:15.220 --> 00:12:17.600 And, right, I think many of us, we're professionals. 00:12:17.779 --> 00:12:19.220 This is the kind of things we're thinking, right? 00:12:19.220 --> 00:12:21.840 This is what we get told at school and at uni. 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:24.220 And this is what companies advertising. 00:12:24.220 --> 00:12:25.480 Hey, come and work for us. 00:12:25.540 --> 00:12:27.600 We have such a steep learning curve. 00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:31.519 We're having so many challenges for you so you can reach all your potential. 00:12:32.700 --> 00:12:33.779 What do we do with that? 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:37.700 What do we do with modern professional work, right? 00:12:37.779 --> 00:12:39.519 Is this something God wants us to do? 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:41.620 He's given you gifts. 00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:42.560 Use them. 00:12:43.100 --> 00:12:44.019 Reach your potential. 00:12:45.899 --> 00:12:50.779 Well, I think we should realize some of this, we need to put it in perspective, right? 00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:54.060 This kind of job is a modern luxury. 00:12:55.220 --> 00:12:57.279 Think about life 3,000 years ago. 00:12:58.139 --> 00:12:59.279 You didn't go to school. 00:12:59.379 --> 00:13:00.259 You didn't go to uni. 00:13:00.440 --> 00:13:01.800 You were just born on a farm. 00:13:02.139 --> 00:13:03.920 And you learned farming from your parents. 00:13:04.019 --> 00:13:05.580 And you spent the rest of your life farming. 00:13:06.580 --> 00:13:07.240 That's life. 00:13:07.820 --> 00:13:07.980 Right? 00:13:08.040 --> 00:13:08.580 Same job. 00:13:08.680 --> 00:13:09.220 No career. 00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:10.100 Just farming. 00:13:11.220 --> 00:13:12.399 And that's pretty normal. 00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:15.740 No wonder Proverbs doesn't talk about what job to do. 00:13:15.740 --> 00:13:18.100 Because most people, right? 00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:20.500 This is where you were born and this is what you do. 00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:23.340 It's a modern thing, right? 00:13:23.379 --> 00:13:28.360 It's only recently, you know, the past 150 years or something that people can really choose. 00:13:29.320 --> 00:13:40.279 And only kind of now that things are so developed and there's so much security for food and everything that, yeah, people can do kind of whatever they want if you're in some cases. 00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:42.759 And even then, look at the modern society. 00:13:43.699 --> 00:13:46.699 You know, we think of, yeah, a fulfilling career. 00:13:47.720 --> 00:13:49.699 Look around you at all the people in Hong Kong. 00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:52.860 Do all the people in Hong Kong have a fulfilling career? 00:13:53.079 --> 00:13:59.740 Look at the guards and the domestic helpers and the delivery drivers and the shop assistants and the waiters. 00:13:59.740 --> 00:14:04.620 You know, it's, not many people can have this. 00:14:05.560 --> 00:14:08.720 Here's this book about work, Daniel Doriani. 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:11.659 It's been great for thinking about these things. 00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:15.000 I mean, who is this kind of work for? 00:14:15.560 --> 00:14:16.580 A fulfilling career. 00:14:16.919 --> 00:14:19.779 He says it's just a myth that that's for everyone. 00:14:19.779 --> 00:14:30.860 This myth applies at best to those who have native intelligence, a network of supportive adults, a strong work ethic, and access to an elite education by world standards. 00:14:31.579 --> 00:14:35.139 Those in the lower socioeconomic classes rarely have such opportunities. 00:14:36.339 --> 00:14:38.839 Most people will not have a fulfilling career, right? 00:14:39.220 --> 00:14:43.740 99% of Christians don't have a fulfilling career in history and in the world. 00:14:45.319 --> 00:14:46.159 Remember that. 00:14:46.679 --> 00:14:49.279 You know, next time you're kind of complaining about your boring job. 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:50.799 Well, look at the guard. 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:52.720 Look at the street cleaner. 00:14:54.100 --> 00:14:54.639 That's the thing. 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:59.299 And so, in a way, what that already shows, a fulfilling career can't be super important, right? 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:05.079 If 99% of Christians don't have one, it can't be that important. 00:15:05.819 --> 00:15:09.079 But at the same time, you know, we are a church with loads of professionals. 00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:11.439 So how should we think about it, right? 00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:13.240 I mean, is a career a good thing? 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:15.459 I mean, here's about the only verse I could think of. 00:15:16.919 --> 00:15:17.899 22, 29. 00:15:17.899 --> 00:15:20.639 Do you see a man skillful in his work? 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:22.399 He will stand before kings. 00:15:22.799 --> 00:15:25.000 He will not stand before obscure men. 00:15:25.519 --> 00:15:27.939 All right, if you're really good, you know you're going to make it. 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:30.259 You're going to probably be very successful, right? 00:15:31.659 --> 00:15:32.679 You're going to do well. 00:15:33.340 --> 00:15:35.240 But, of course, that just happens. 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:36.399 Do you need to seek it? 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:42.059 Well, here's a few things that I thought of that I think are useful to think about. 00:15:42.059 --> 00:15:46.959 First of all, it is just really good to pursue love. 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:49.039 Right? 00:15:49.119 --> 00:15:50.039 That's what we thought about. 00:15:50.119 --> 00:15:50.739 We should love. 00:15:50.819 --> 00:15:52.899 But actually, love can mean all those things. 00:15:53.079 --> 00:15:54.299 Love can mean ambition. 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:58.059 Love can mean reaching the top and everything, right? 00:15:58.079 --> 00:16:03.219 If you want to go into politics and you want to bless people, well, the higher up, the more people you affect. 00:16:04.040 --> 00:16:06.879 So, you know, go as high as you can, right? 00:16:06.940 --> 00:16:08.460 Because you can love more people. 00:16:09.040 --> 00:16:09.820 That's a good thing. 00:16:10.940 --> 00:16:13.379 How about, you know, reaching your potential? 00:16:14.660 --> 00:16:19.360 Imagine someone, and they have the gifts and the intelligence to cure cancer. 00:16:19.360 --> 00:16:24.539 But they are being a barista at Starbucks so that they have more time to watch Netflix. 00:16:25.539 --> 00:16:26.240 What do you think? 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:29.919 Now, you can serve God at Starbucks. 00:16:30.200 --> 00:16:31.759 You know, Hong Kongers need coffee, definitely. 00:16:33.460 --> 00:16:37.200 But, you know, is that really the most loving thing you can do? 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:43.259 If you can cure cancer, you know, actually love would demand that you fulfill your potential, right? 00:16:43.300 --> 00:16:46.420 That you go for it and that you use what you can do. 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:48.180 That's a great thing. 00:16:48.179 --> 00:16:50.559 Or a salary, right? 00:16:50.599 --> 00:16:52.739 So often we want a job because of more money. 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:54.299 That can be a good thing. 00:16:55.039 --> 00:17:00.120 You know, maybe in a few years you want to start a family and one of you will become a stay-at-home parent. 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:01.979 And you have kids which are expensive. 00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:02.919 Well, we need more money. 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:08.200 So maybe I should go for that promotion just so I can, you know, we have enough money as a family. 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:09.179 That's a loving thing. 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:11.799 But again, all of this is love, right? 00:17:12.940 --> 00:17:14.440 That's not usually what we do. 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:20.120 Usually, well, my fulfillment and my status and my salary and those kind of things, right? 00:17:22.120 --> 00:17:25.840 Then again, it's okay to enjoy yourself, right? 00:17:26.600 --> 00:17:28.360 I think we can all say that. 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:29.740 It's okay to enjoy yourself. 00:17:30.620 --> 00:17:35.279 You know, the Bible says, hey, it's great to enjoy your job. 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:36.980 If you have a job that you enjoy, wonderful. 00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:44.160 You know, so if you can choose between two jobs and one is boring and the other is fulfilling, why not choose a fulfilling job? 00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:45.399 Why not change? 00:17:45.500 --> 00:17:46.180 It's a great thing. 00:17:46.299 --> 00:17:47.000 I did that. 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:52.819 You know, I remember I was in a certain job and then there was a reorganization and it became so boring. 00:17:52.819 --> 00:17:58.960 I was a project manager and I had to get other people to work and I couldn't do anything myself and I was just bored. 00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:06.720 And so after eight months, I had enough and I looked for other jobs and I found one that was just so much more fitting with who I was. 00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:08.299 So, hey, I moved. 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:12.419 Nothing about love, just me wanting something that I enjoyed. 00:18:12.599 --> 00:18:13.779 And that's fine, right? 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:16.099 It's okay to enjoy yourself. 00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:17.839 So it can be good. 00:18:17.919 --> 00:18:18.679 It can be neutral. 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:25.460 Well, then again, some of this, you know, work is a huge cultural idol, right? 00:18:26.860 --> 00:18:30.279 For so many of us, work is just an idol, right? 00:18:30.340 --> 00:18:35.820 It's what people do for their fulfillment and for their status, right? 00:18:35.820 --> 00:18:40.600 And I need this job because I need fulfillment and I need all these things. 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:44.160 Actually, is that the reason you want it? 00:18:44.920 --> 00:18:46.580 Let me tell you, you're going to be disappointed. 00:18:46.579 --> 00:18:49.259 Idol is always disappointed, right? 00:18:49.319 --> 00:18:54.879 If you think your job is going to satisfy you, well, first of all, it's a created thing, right? 00:18:55.139 --> 00:18:56.319 It won't satisfy you. 00:18:56.359 --> 00:18:57.740 And second, you're in a broken world. 00:18:57.819 --> 00:19:02.279 You're going to be so frustrated if you're going to depend on your job to fully fulfill you. 00:19:03.699 --> 00:19:05.720 Now, we were made for God, right? 00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:06.240 For Jesus. 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:11.579 No wonder people in Hong Kong idolize work because they don't have Jesus. 00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:12.859 Jesus, but we do. 00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:18.960 If you're a Christian, you have, you know, you have the all-satisfying darling of heaven in Jesus. 00:19:19.699 --> 00:19:20.980 He will satisfy you. 00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:23.879 You don't need a fulfilling job, right? 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:25.339 You want status. 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:26.759 Well, you're a child of God. 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:29.599 You're going to sit next to Jesus judging angels. 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:34.740 Who cares about being a senior manager rather than an assistant manager, right? 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:37.819 Maybe you want to fulfill your potential. 00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:46.679 One of my former pastors, he told a group of young adults, you have way too much potential for this life, which is true, right? 00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:50.579 You know, you're an immortal being in the image of God. 00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:56.720 Forty years and a job is not going to exhaust all your gifts and all your skills and all your potential. 00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:58.980 No, you've got an eternity. 00:19:58.980 --> 00:20:09.259 An eternity to develop everything you can to explore the universe, to try every job and to fully become the person God wants you to be. 00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:11.779 Who cares about now, right? 00:20:12.539 --> 00:20:13.980 So, yeah, it's a good thing. 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:14.880 It's a nice thing. 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:16.740 Actually, you don't need it. 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:22.019 And lastly, you've got higher priorities, right, as well. 00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:27.019 I mean, if this is an optional thing, right, it's a good thing, but you don't need it. 00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:31.299 Well, actually, you have other things that Jesus also wants you to do. 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:38.000 Now, I think when I, for many of us, the Christian life is really a lot like these spinning plates. 00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:38.960 Do you ever feel like that? 00:20:39.660 --> 00:20:46.859 You know, I've got my job and I've got my spouse and I've got my kids and my church and my friends. 00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:51.299 And I need to reach out to non-Christians and I need to balance all these things with my time. 00:20:51.379 --> 00:20:52.219 And how am I going to do that? 00:20:53.619 --> 00:20:58.679 Well, it's good to know that a fulfilling career is optional, right? 00:20:59.219 --> 00:21:06.319 It's not the most important thing, which means that actually I can say no to that if I need to. 00:21:06.899 --> 00:21:08.219 How about family? 00:21:08.579 --> 00:21:12.819 Jesus says you should love your spouse and raise your kids well and those kind of things. 00:21:12.819 --> 00:21:17.339 So if I, okay, here's a promotion, but it means a lot less time at home. 00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:24.299 Maybe I should say no, because Jesus says I should do these things and he doesn't command me to have a fulfilling career. 00:21:26.419 --> 00:21:27.919 That's a good thing to think. 00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:36.899 I sometimes see, especially Asian families, they just, work is so important that they just, the kids, they speak Tagalog more than Chinese, right? 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:38.139 That's not good. 00:21:39.579 --> 00:21:39.779 Right? 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:41.579 Maybe some of you need to think about that. 00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:44.399 After all, right? 00:21:45.059 --> 00:21:48.099 That is what, yeah, this is what matters more. 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:51.299 Or think about church. 00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:53.579 Right? 00:21:53.740 --> 00:22:00.859 For many people sometimes, you know, church, yeah, it's good, but they're not that involved because they're too busy with their career. 00:22:01.399 --> 00:22:03.480 Too busy working for that promotion. 00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:04.460 Oh, yeah, CG. 00:22:05.139 --> 00:22:09.480 Oh, yeah, that'd be great if you have time for it, but I'm too busy working for this promotion. 00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:12.160 I mean, we have the great commission. 00:22:12.380 --> 00:22:13.360 We have a commandment. 00:22:14.079 --> 00:22:16.819 And there's no command for a fulfilling career. 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:19.940 Wouldn't it be great if it was the other way around? 00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:20.980 Oh, promotion. 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:22.860 Oh, yeah, it's nice if you have time for it. 00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:24.420 I'm just too busy with church. 00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:25.779 Wouldn't that be great? 00:22:26.660 --> 00:22:28.460 I think, because, well, that's the thing, right? 00:22:29.120 --> 00:22:32.579 You're going to stand before Jesus, and he's not going to ask about your CV. 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:35.519 He's not going to ask about your job title or your salary. 00:22:36.180 --> 00:22:37.600 He is going to ask about your family. 00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:40.220 He is going to ask about that commission he gave us. 00:22:40.220 --> 00:22:43.360 And that's what we need to keep in mind. 00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:48.240 So, hey, get a job you like, but there you have higher priorities. 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:52.960 And so, putting all that together, what should we do? 00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:59.140 Well, I think here is, I think, the best verse on choosing a job. 00:22:59.600 --> 00:23:00.839 One Corinthian, seven. 00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:06.000 If you're doing a reading plan, like 61% of you, you're going to be reading this on Wednesday. 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:08.220 A chapter on marriage and singleness. 00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:12.279 And, you know, the single people want to be married, and the married people want to be single. 00:23:12.819 --> 00:23:15.039 And Paul says, hey, it doesn't matter. 00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:17.380 You can serve God wherever you are. 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:19.779 And he gives an illustration about work. 00:23:19.900 --> 00:23:20.940 And so, this is what he says. 00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:22.240 All right. 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:23.900 Were you a slave when called? 00:23:24.619 --> 00:23:26.079 Do not be concerned about it. 00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:30.259 But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity. 00:23:30.940 --> 00:23:35.319 For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. 00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:39.139 And likewise, he who was free when called is a slave of Christ. 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:40.559 All right. 00:23:40.639 --> 00:23:43.659 So, hey, if you're a slave, don't worry about it. 00:23:43.679 --> 00:23:45.019 You can serve God as a slave. 00:23:45.639 --> 00:23:47.779 If you just remember the gospel. 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:49.919 But if you can become free, do it. 00:23:51.159 --> 00:23:52.220 And what does that mean? 00:23:52.299 --> 00:23:54.339 I guess, yeah, these two things, right? 00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:57.980 First, if you're stuck, you know, be content in Christ. 00:23:58.359 --> 00:23:59.779 Maybe your job isn't great. 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:02.359 Maybe you want to move on, but you can't. 00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:05.339 Maybe family limits, what you can do. 00:24:06.219 --> 00:24:07.059 Hey, be content. 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:07.879 It's okay. 00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:09.319 You don't need it. 00:24:10.179 --> 00:24:11.939 And you have Christ, right? 00:24:11.979 --> 00:24:12.740 You have everything. 00:24:12.879 --> 00:24:14.379 The slave is a freedman in Christ. 00:24:14.459 --> 00:24:15.399 You have everything already. 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:21.919 And if you're free, if you can make a choice, well, use it under Christ. 00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:26.619 Make a good decision what would be what you like to do, what would be good for you. 00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:29.799 Just make a good decision, but do it under Christ. 00:24:29.899 --> 00:24:31.719 Remember, here's priorities what he wants. 00:24:32.419 --> 00:24:34.099 And by the way, that's not an easy decision. 00:24:34.879 --> 00:24:37.179 You know, some people, wow, should I stay or should I go? 00:24:37.179 --> 00:24:39.899 And, you know, is it good to show commitment by staying? 00:24:40.159 --> 00:24:42.500 Or is it good to show ambition by leaving? 00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:44.399 No idea. 00:24:45.159 --> 00:24:45.359 Right? 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:51.000 These are things you need to pray through and talk through with wise Christians. 00:24:51.219 --> 00:24:51.319 Right? 00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:53.819 You know, some things in the Bible are easy. 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.679 No adultery. 00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:56.559 That's very, it's right and wrong. 00:24:56.679 --> 00:24:58.460 But should you move on if you're free? 00:24:58.980 --> 00:24:59.619 No idea. 00:24:59.859 --> 00:25:00.000 Right? 00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:01.059 Talk to people. 00:25:01.619 --> 00:25:02.619 There's no easy answer. 00:25:03.399 --> 00:25:03.599 Okay? 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:04.759 Great. 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:09.079 But basically, go back to, that's, I think, what it says. 00:25:10.619 --> 00:25:14.119 Now, in the end, it's not about what job you do. 00:25:14.379 --> 00:25:15.740 It's not about what job you do. 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:17.579 You can serve God in any job. 00:25:17.579 --> 00:25:19.819 What then does matter? 00:25:20.099 --> 00:25:21.839 Well, back to Proverbs. 00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:23.059 It's how you work. 00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:24.799 How should you work? 00:25:25.699 --> 00:25:25.839 Right? 00:25:25.919 --> 00:25:28.079 It's not, it doesn't matter what you do, but how do you work? 00:25:28.819 --> 00:25:32.279 And, of course, Proverbs has lots of wisdom, lots of common sense. 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:33.659 Meet your deadlines. 00:25:34.159 --> 00:25:35.119 Ask for advice. 00:25:35.699 --> 00:25:38.000 I know, plan, think before you act. 00:25:38.139 --> 00:25:39.000 It's all in Proverbs. 00:25:39.419 --> 00:25:42.859 But I think the big thing is, you know, some moral stuff. 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:45.859 So, for example, big thing, be diligent. 00:25:46.419 --> 00:25:46.859 Yeah? 00:25:47.579 --> 00:25:53.079 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the slugger to those who send him. 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:53.939 Right? 00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:58.139 It's terrible if you have an employee who is just lazy. 00:25:58.779 --> 00:25:58.919 Right? 00:25:59.059 --> 00:26:00.379 They show up late. 00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:03.659 They're on their phone, and they don't do their job, and they're unreliable. 00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:04.919 That's terrible. 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:06.179 So, be diligent. 00:26:06.419 --> 00:26:08.119 Work wholeheartedly for the Lord. 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:08.399 Right? 00:26:09.439 --> 00:26:10.579 Do your best. 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:13.539 Also, in school, do your best. 00:26:13.619 --> 00:26:16.159 Don't just do the minimum you can get away with. 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:18.519 That's what it would say. 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:20.340 You know, be honest. 00:26:21.120 --> 00:26:25.480 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight. 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:26.420 Right? 00:26:26.620 --> 00:26:27.920 No cheating. 00:26:28.759 --> 00:26:31.740 Christians should be known for complete integrity. 00:26:32.620 --> 00:26:34.279 Which, of course, is sometimes not easy. 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:36.519 I found it easy. 00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:36.879 Yeah. 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:40.059 So often in work, people want to cheat because it's better. 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:40.319 Right? 00:26:40.399 --> 00:26:44.259 We promise something to a client, but we don't actually mean it and just want to get them 00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:45.059 to sign the contract. 00:26:45.899 --> 00:26:51.139 And you want to say no because you're a Christian and, you know, you want to be honest. 00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:53.639 You want to be just and fair. 00:26:54.139 --> 00:26:54.339 Right? 00:26:54.339 --> 00:26:54.379 Right? 00:26:55.079 --> 00:26:59.099 The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice. 00:26:59.759 --> 00:27:01.899 Bribery is a huge thing in many countries. 00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:04.359 Maybe less here, but it's there. 00:27:04.439 --> 00:27:04.599 Right? 00:27:04.639 --> 00:27:08.419 It's so easy to give favors to people because of what they give to you. 00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:10.839 No, we shouldn't be like that. 00:27:11.579 --> 00:27:12.539 Be compassionate. 00:27:13.319 --> 00:27:13.459 Right? 00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:17.779 Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth or gives to the rich will only 00:27:17.779 --> 00:27:18.539 come to poverty. 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.400 It's so easy. 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:20.620 Yeah? 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:22.819 Because people need you and you can abuse that. 00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:23.680 Right? 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:24.559 The poor need money. 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:25.860 It's good to lend them money. 00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:29.680 But, yeah, then you charge so much interest that you're just exploiting. 00:27:30.340 --> 00:27:34.000 And for so many companies, basically what you do is exploit people. 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:37.120 And as Christians, we want to stay away from that. 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:41.019 But then again, what is this all? 00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:42.259 I mean, there's more I could say. 00:27:42.340 --> 00:27:42.799 It's love. 00:27:42.880 --> 00:27:43.079 Right? 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:45.480 If you work hard, you're loving. 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:47.860 If you are just and compassionate, you're loving. 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:49.819 If you're not cheating, you're loving. 00:27:50.460 --> 00:27:51.700 Basically, how do you work? 00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:52.480 Love. 00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:54.100 You love your clients. 00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:55.200 You love your colleagues. 00:27:55.360 --> 00:27:56.180 You love your managers. 00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:58.279 It's all love. 00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:03.860 After all, right, we serve the God of love. 00:28:04.140 --> 00:28:05.980 We imitate the God of love. 00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:07.779 We represent the God of love. 00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:08.600 How do we do that? 00:28:08.900 --> 00:28:09.660 By loving. 00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:11.620 Isn't it always easy? 00:28:11.619 --> 00:28:13.899 You know, you're a lawyer. 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:19.400 What does it look like to love justice and to love my client and to love the person I'm going up against? 00:28:19.400 --> 00:28:21.000 Sometimes it's very hard. 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:23.240 But ultimately, that's the principle, right? 00:28:23.600 --> 00:28:24.000 Love. 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:27.480 And that speaks to people. 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:29.859 You know, it's not about your position. 00:28:29.859 --> 00:28:30.940 It's not about what you do. 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:32.000 It's about how you do it. 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:38.160 I mean, someone asked me, hey, how can I glorify God when I'm in the lowest position in my office? 00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:38.779 Right? 00:28:38.820 --> 00:28:40.019 I'm the corporate slave. 00:28:40.120 --> 00:28:42.259 How can I glorify God? 00:28:42.360 --> 00:28:45.400 Well, the Bible would say, through your love. 00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:50.160 You know, Paul never writes to CEOs and governors. 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:57.180 He writes to the slaves and says, hey, you can serve God and you can make an impression through your love. 00:28:57.180 --> 00:29:02.420 So, like Titus, slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything. 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:12.380 They are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. 00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:13.200 Right? 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:14.460 All of that is love, right? 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:21.380 Working wholeheartedly and not stealing and not arguing, just being a loving slave. 00:29:22.019 --> 00:29:23.440 And you show the gospel. 00:29:23.779 --> 00:29:24.259 You're adorning. 00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:27.019 Isn't that a wonderful vision? 00:29:27.599 --> 00:29:28.059 Just love. 00:29:28.119 --> 00:29:30.819 Because, after all, isn't that what Jesus is like? 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:33.920 I mean, Jesus is the king of the universe. 00:29:35.420 --> 00:29:37.519 But what is the thing that really attracts us to him? 00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:39.559 Is it the fact that he had this really high status? 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:41.980 Well, no. 00:29:42.180 --> 00:29:44.079 It's the gospel, isn't it? 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:47.279 You know, Jesus, he didn't stay in this high position. 00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:50.379 He came down and he became a human. 00:29:51.339 --> 00:29:52.400 He became a rabbi. 00:29:53.039 --> 00:29:53.900 A carpenter. 00:29:55.119 --> 00:29:57.119 And then, well, he became a criminal. 00:29:57.920 --> 00:29:59.700 And he did the hardest work. 00:29:59.900 --> 00:30:02.619 He died on a cross for you. 00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:04.420 That's what he did. 00:30:06.259 --> 00:30:08.140 And he sacrificed himself. 00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:10.940 He didn't go to the cross for his own self-fulfillment. 00:30:11.339 --> 00:30:13.440 He didn't go there because he enjoyed it so much. 00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:16.039 No, his joy was in serving others. 00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:17.960 In meeting our greatest needs. 00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:19.640 By paying for our sin. 00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:22.740 And isn't that the thing that attracts us to him? 00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:24.180 It's not his status. 00:30:24.299 --> 00:30:25.039 It's not his power. 00:30:25.840 --> 00:30:28.380 They are beautiful, but it's his love ultimately, right? 00:30:28.380 --> 00:30:32.760 And if you love, you are representing him. 00:30:32.820 --> 00:30:34.420 And he's called you. 00:30:34.620 --> 00:30:35.440 He's loved you. 00:30:35.520 --> 00:30:36.520 He's made you his own. 00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:40.800 Giving you the spirit of love to empower you to love. 00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:44.000 And that is what he wants us to do now. 00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:45.819 To go out there in Hong Kong. 00:30:46.299 --> 00:30:47.159 Well, like we say, right? 00:30:47.240 --> 00:30:50.119 Christ in his community being renewed by the gospel. 00:30:50.899 --> 00:30:51.779 Loving Hong Kong. 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:54.799 Well, that's the vision we have, right? 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:56.879 When we work, we are like Christ. 00:30:57.519 --> 00:30:58.500 And so we love. 00:30:59.920 --> 00:31:02.079 Why don't we think about that? 00:31:02.859 --> 00:31:04.700 Let's go into Hong Kong this week loving. 00:31:04.859 --> 00:31:08.079 So I'll probably give you one minute just to reflect. 00:31:08.220 --> 00:31:09.440 Or should we just go straight to? 00:31:09.920 --> 00:31:11.000 Yeah, just think about it. 00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:13.339 And then I'll close us in prayer in a minute's time. 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:51.759 Thank you. 00:31:51.779 --> 00:32:19.899 Let's pray together. 00:32:22.079 --> 00:32:25.960 Lord Jesus, we are amazed at your love. 00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:28.440 That you showed on the cross. 00:32:29.660 --> 00:32:32.000 And we want to be inspired by that. 00:32:32.599 --> 00:32:35.599 We are so thankful that you paid for us. 00:32:36.119 --> 00:32:37.180 That you loved us. 00:32:37.379 --> 00:32:40.899 And it's such a beautiful thing that we can bring you to others. 00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:41.940 Through the way we live. 00:32:42.460 --> 00:32:43.220 Through what we say. 00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:44.960 When we love others. 00:32:45.099 --> 00:32:46.759 Would we be a community of love? 00:32:47.099 --> 00:32:48.900 Would we go into Hong Kong with love? 00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:52.619 That you would be glorified in us. 00:32:53.319 --> 00:32:54.599 And you through us. 00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:56.839 Lord, this is such a great vision. 00:32:56.980 --> 00:32:59.460 We know we have so many mixed motives and so many idols. 00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:01.279 That was to put them away. 00:33:01.619 --> 00:33:03.019 And make you our God. 00:33:03.099 --> 00:33:04.819 Make you the one who rules our lives. 00:33:04.819 --> 00:33:07.859 And that your spirit would fill us with love. 00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:09.559 In your name we pray. 00:33:10.200 --> 00:33:10.519 Amen.