work Archives - Page 9 of 15 - Plain Bible Teaching

Andy Sochor August 21, 2013

Tent-Making Preachers

God’s design is that those who dedicate their lives to preaching the gospel receive full support for that work. Paul told the church in Corinth, “So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14).

However, one who preaches may not always (or ever) enjoy the blessing of such support. Perhaps the brethren cannot financially support a preacher. It could be that brethren could support a preacher, but will not because they do not value the work of preaching as highly as they should. Or, as in the case of Paul, a preacher may forgo receiving support because circumstances are such that it may actually hinder the cause of the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:12).

When a preacher receives only partial support – or even no support – for preaching the gospel, what is he to do?
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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: envy, preaching, responsibility, support, time, work

Andy Sochor July 29, 2013

Making Wise Investments (Part 1): The Value of the Soul

The first valuable commodity that we will consider in our study is the soul. People often fail to properly consider the value of their soul because their estimation is distorted by either self-deprecation (failing to see how valuable they are personally) or short-sightedness (failing to see past the things of this life). So let us see what the Scriptures teach us about the value of the soul.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26).

Filed Under: SERIES: Making Wise Investments Tagged With: contentment, creation, eternal life, judgment, redemption, sacrifice, soul, work

Andy Sochor April 1, 2013

The Application of Wisdom: Work

Notes on Proverbs

When we consider the subject of work, Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes provide a fitting starting point: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Our time here on earth is limited. Therefore, we must work hard in the time that we have. Once our lives here are over, there will be no opportunity to do what we ought to have done during our time under the sun. So the wise man spends a good deal of time in the book of Proverbs discussing the important topic of work.
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Filed Under: SERIES: Proverbs Study Tagged With: wisdom, work

Andy Sochor January 10, 2013

The Example of Earl West

When I was in college, I took a class on Restoration History. We had to buy two textbooks for the class – The Search for the Ancient Order, Volumes 1 & 2 by Earl Irvin West. Naturally, the course focused on the history, not the man who wrote the books. So initially I did not pay much attention to the author.

However, I stumbled across something interesting recently about Earl West. In June 1951, West was introduced as the new book reviewer for the Gospel Guardian. Notice a portion of his introduction:
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Filed Under: Restoration History Tagged With: Earl West, work, youth

Andy Sochor December 17, 2012

To Live on in the Flesh Will Mean Fruitful Labor (12/17)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Philippians 1-4.

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose” (Philippians 1:21-22).

Paul was confident in his hope of a home in heaven. This confidence was not based upon the belief that since he had been saved at one time, he would always be saved. Though many believe this today (“once saved, always saved”), Paul did not. He knew that if he quit serving the Lord, he would forfeit his salvation (1 Corinthians 9:27).

Paul’s hope was based upon the Lord’s promise to the faithful. Later, toward the end of his life, he would tell Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Paul could expect to receive his reward because he had fought, finished, and kept the faith.
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Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: death, reward, work

Andy Sochor November 8, 2012

“Each According to His Own Ability” (11/8)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Matthew 25.

In the parable of the talents, Jesus’ teaching reminds us of the need for each one of us to do what we are capable of doing.

“For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called how own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his ability; and he went on his journey” (Matthew 25:14-15).

The “talents” were amounts of money that the master entrusted to his three slaves to manage while he was away. They were not each given the same amount. Each received what the master expected him to be able to manage. When he returned later, they were held accountable for how they managed what they received.
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Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: accountability, judgment, work

Andy Sochor October 23, 2012