Productivity From God's Perspective

Lindsay Stephens - God created mankind with a purpose to be productive and fruitful. In Genesis, God commanded humans to have dominion over the earth and multiply. However, sin changed the nature of work and made it harder. Productivity, from God's perspective, is not just about physical output but also spiritual growth and bearing fruit. We need to stay connected to Christ to be spiritually productive. God expects a return on what He has given us, such as His word, truth, and His Holy Spirit. We will be judged based on what we do with our calling. Those who are faithful will be rewarded and enter into the joy of the Lord. Hello Brethren, we welcome you to another Sabbath day and it's an opportunity to learn from God's Word because this is a day that is specifically where we are meant to be focused on God. Mankind has been created by God with an instinct to work and to produce. When we think of work and productivity, we tend to think of it in goods and services and physical things. In this message today, I want to bring out the subject of productivity from God's perspective. What does He want us to do in our lives and how does He want us to apply it? We know that God has created mankind for a great purpose. When God renewed the face of the earth after the rebellion of Lucifer and a third of the angels, the creation was the central focus of His great plan. We begin here in Genesis 1. So in Genesis 1, and we begin in verse 26, And God said, Let us make man in our image after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of heaven, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that crawls upon the earth. In other words, after our likeness with the potential of having the mind and character of Elohim. God virtually said, Let us reproduce ourselves. And continuing in verse 27, God created man in his own image. In the image of God, He created him. He created them male and female, and God blessed them. And God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of heaven, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth. This is contrary to many of the woke pressure groups and those on the bandwagon of devolution. Mankind was meant to have control over all these other living things. However, it did not mean to apply abuse and cruelty to all other forms of life. And continuing in verse 29, And God said, Behold, I have given you every bearing seed which is upon the face of the earth, and every tree upon which is the fruit of the tree of bearing seed. To you they shall be for food, and to every animal of the earth, and to every fowl of heaven, and to all living creatures that crawls upon the earth. Every green plant is given for food, and it was so. God designed us to move and to be active, to exert energy, to employ skill and produce goods for human flourishing. Now I'll just read a couple of verses in chapter 2. We go to Genesis 2 and we look at verse 8. And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there he put the man whom he had born. So God had it all laid out. In verse 15, And the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to dress it and keep it. It also means to serve it and take great care of it. Other translations have it as to cultivate it and tend it. Immediately after he was created, Adam had a God-given purpose for the job to do. God had created a world which included work needing to be done and created man with a mission to do that work. Now logically, God didn't need to structure the world this way. He could have created a world that was fully self-sustaining. He could have made human beings to simply live in luxury and enjoy all of God's creation without ever having to contribute anything. However, that was not God's design. Even before sin entered into the world, human beings were meant to work to help to accomplish God's purpose that he's built into us. In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve would have received great blessings in their work, having had direct instruction from God regarding work and productivity. However, the sin of Adam and Eve and of not obeying God's instructions to them, the nature of and response to work changed dramatically. Now we go to chapter 3. So in chapter 3 of Genesis, in verse 17, after they had sinned and taken of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and to Adam he said, because you have hearkened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, saying, you shall not eat of it, the ground is cursed for your sake. In sorrow you shall eat of it all the days of your life. It shall also bring forth thorns and thistles to you, and thus you shall eat the herbs of the field. Although this is referring to an agrarian society, we can think of much of the workforce in the world today where there is misuse of employees by employers, lack of incentive and motivation, unions making workers go on strike or take other action, and high taxes by governments. And continuing in verse 19, in the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you are taken, for dust you are, and dust you shall return. So because of sin, mankind as a whole has had to eke out a living the hard way and struggle to make a living apart, apart from a minority of people being the elite and those who are in control. Now is this the way God wants it to be? We know God wants man to be productive. At this stage I want to define what productivity is. How it's defined? It is simply the state or quality of being productive. In economic terms it is a measure of economic performance that compares the amount of goods and services produced or output with the number of inputs used to produce those goods and services. It means the quality, state or fact of being able to generate, create, enhance or bring forth goods and services. This is viewing productivity from a physical point of view, meaning to produce something physical. Now, beautiful Noah Harari of the World Economic Forum has stated that if anyone does not produce anything then they are consumers and of no value to society and he justifies this as a reason for human depopulation. From God's perspective the real meaning of productivity is very different and this is what is most important for us. While the world looks at it physically, which is primarily short term, with God it is spiritual and is very much long term. There are a few points on productivity that I want to bring out in this message. Point 1, firstly I want to repeat here, just repeat that God created us with the purpose of being productive. Genesis 1 verse 28 has already been mentioned regarding this. Being fruitful means bearing fruit. For us to bear fruit spiritually we must be connected to the vine who is Jesus Christ. Let's come to John 15. John 15, well known to us. In verse 1, I am the true vine and my father is the husbandman. So God is the owner and the vinedresser. In verse 2, he takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit but he cleanses each one that bears fruit in order that it may bear more fruit. So he cleanses us by revealing the sin within. You are already clean through the word that I have spoken to you. Dwell in me and I in you as a branch cannot bear fruit of itself but only if it remains in the vine. Neither can you bear unless you are dwelling in me. I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who is dwelling in me and I in him bears much fruit because apart from me you can do nothing. We cannot be spiritually productive without dwelling in Christ and Christ in us. Then we can bear the fruits of the spirit as is mentioned in Galatians 5, verse 22 and 23. The second point I want to bring out is know that God requires a return on our lives. God has given us so much. We are responsible for what we do with it. Let's go to the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. So we go to Matthew 25 and beginning in verse 14. For the kingdom of heaven is like a man leaving the country who called his own servants and delivered to them his property. What property has God given us? His word, which is his truth. The understanding of his word and his plan of salvation by the Sabbath and Holy Days. He has given us his spirit upon conversion, baptism and the laying on of hands. In verse 15. After when he gave five talents and to another two and to another one, he gave to each one according to his own ability and immediately left the country. God has given us the spiritual goods of his Holy Spirit and his word. What happens depends on what we do with it. Then the one who had received five talents went and traded with them and made additional five talents. So the way God works is not like a corporation or a government department. He expects us to take the initiative with what we do. In verse 17. In the same way also the one who had received two talents also gained two others. But the one who had received the single talent went and dug in the earth and hid his Lord's money. Now after a long time the Lord of those servants came to take account with them. We will be judged on what we do with our calling. 1 Peter 4.17 says, For the time has come for the judgment to begin with the household of God. And we continue from verse 20. Then the one who had received five talents came to him and brought an additional five talents, saying, Lord, you delivered five talents to me. See, I have gained five other talents besides them. And his Lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. Because you were faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord. And the one who had received two talents also came to him and said, Lord, you delivered to me two talents. See, I have gained two other talents besides them. His Lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. Because you were faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord. God will choose the reward. Once we enter into the joy of the Lord, it will be for all eternity. Then we go to verse 24. Then the one who had received a single talent also came to him and said, Lord, I knew that you are a hard man, weeping where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter. And because I was afraid, I went and hid your talent in the earth. Now look, you have your own. And this shows an attitude of doubt, hesitation, procrastination and fear. Perhaps you could liken it to the Protestants who had a certain amount of understanding from the Word of God, but they view a harsh God from the Old Testament, which they reject. They know they need their sins forgiven, and only Jesus can do that. But they go no further with the talent they have been given. And because I was afraid, I went and hid your talent in the earth. Now look, you have your own. His Lord answered and said to him, you wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter. Because you knew this, you were duty bound to take my talent to the money exchangers so that when I came, I could have received my own with interest. And that is at least doing the bare minimum. And continuing verse 28, therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. We cannot be judged by what we did not have in our lifetimes, but only by what we have and what we do with it. For example, we cannot let bad experiences of the past justify wrong choices that we make. And in verse 29, for to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he shall have abundance. On the other hand, for the one who does not have, even that which he has will be taken from him. Now that goes against the trend with the way the world views equality and work practices. But God looks at the heart and the effort that is put into it. In verse 30, and cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The worst scenario for anyone called by God would be to be regarded as worthless. This has to be avoided at all costs, which leads to the next point I want to make, point three. And that is, think after living productively. Why? Because this is important to God. How do we do that? Well, we have the tools that God has made available for us. God's calling, his word, his truth, God's spirit to lead us, his grace and his love. However, we do have physical limitations. Let's turn to Psalm 103. Psalm 103, verse 15. As for man, his days are as grass, as a flower of a field so he forages. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place shall know it no more. And this is a summary of physical life. It is only temporary, and compared to eternity, it is nothing. But it's not the end. Look at the next verse. The steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who fear him, and his righteousness is unto children's children. This is also mentioned by the apostle Peter. And we look at 1 Peter chapter 1. 1 Peter chapter 1, verses 24 and 25. For all flesh is like grass, and all the glory of man is like a flower of a field, and the grass is withered, and its flower has fallen away. But the word of the Lord endures forever, and this is the message that was preached to you through the gospel. Back in Psalm 90, we're given some instruction by Moses. Psalm 90, and verse 12. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. While our time in this life is limited, what we do with it counts for eternity. And let's turn to Ephesians. Ephesians. Paul acknowledges to us in Ephesians chapter 5, beginning verse 15. So then take heed that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as those who are wise. Consider the situation we are in with every circumstance we face. Redeeming the time because the days are evil. We know all too well that we live in evil days in this world today. The way it is, and the direction it is heading, is heading downhill. We need to be very mindful of how we use our time, and to make the most of every opportunity. And the question must be asked, whose time is it? Without our calling, conversion, and having God's Spirit, we would see our time as their own, and be used, and to be used for our own ends. If we view this time as belonging to God, however, then focusing on productivity in a spiritual way can also be used to love and serve our neighbor. In the world, we live in a time where people want to escape from the realities and stresses of life. With excessive desires for leisure, entertainment, sports, TV, movies, parties, and other things. We can learn from the ant. So in Proverbs chapter 6, Proverbs 6, verses 6 to 8, it says, It says, So the wise thing to do is prepare for the hard times ahead, and there are hard times coming. The ant serves as a model of diligence and foresight. Notice that the ant doesn't need to be told what to do by anyone ruling it over them. We can learn from the ant's example by planning our actions ourselves and being proactive in our efforts. It requires self-discipline on our part. Now point four is to recognize that doing good works is how God describes as being productive. Let's look at how Paul describes this in Ephesians. In Ephesians chapter 2, and picking it up in verse 8, So we do not come to God by our own work, energy, or what we do. In verse 9, If we boast about anything, we are headed for it all. For we are His workmanship, being created in Christ Jesus unto the good works that God ordained beforehand in order that we might walk in them. The good works are referring to the keeping of God's law, commandment keeping. When we are doing what God commands, it's not our own works. We need to have our thoughts projected in this way. What does God and Jesus Christ want us to do? Let's look at Proverbs. Proverbs chapter 16, and verse 2. So in his own eyes, it's self-justification. Think of the politicians who, in their own eyes, have never done anything wrong. And that is part of the spirit in man, human nature. In verse 3, And that is the way we live. Our thoughts are to be more like God's thoughts. Isaiah 55, verse 8 and 9. And more in tune with the mind of Christ. And let's expand on this and look at what Paul says in Philippians chapter 2. Philippians 2, and verse 3. Each esteeming the others above himself. So we're not doing anything for what we can get out of it. Let each one look not only after his own things, but let each one also consider the things of others. Our productivity is in process if we are praying for others. Whether it's to do with their health, family trials, or any other trial they may be going through. We all need to grow spiritually and to be in God's kingdom. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Who, though he existed in the form of God, did not consider it worthy to be equal with God. He was there in the very beginning. John 1, verse 3. But emptied himself, and was made in the likeness of men, and took the form of a servant. Now what Jesus did, he became flesh. John 1, verse 14. He did the reverse of what God is doing with us in order to make this possible. In verse 8. And being found in the manner of man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. So he became our Passover, sanctified for us, and our Redeemer. Therefore God also highly exalted him, and bestowed upon him a name which is above every name. He is our High Priest, Advocate, and Unicessor. And continuing, verse 10. Every human being, past, present, and future, will have to come to this point sooner or later. Our time for this is from the time we will come to the time we will be born again. And we will be born again. We will be born again. We will be born again. We will be born again. We will be born again. We will be born again. Our time for this is from the time we were called, and is still with us now. And in verse 12. So then my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. We don't need anyone over to tell us what to do. We need to plan how we are going to achieve it. And finally this section, verse 13. For it is God who works in you both to will and to do according to his good pleasure. To do according to his good pleasure. So God provides us with the tools, but we have a part to play and we have to choose to do it. And we come to another point, point five. Make loving God and loving others a motivating factor in all that we do in our spiritual productivity. Let's look at what Jesus said in Matthew 22. Stay with me, it takes time getting there. Verse 39. I think we will begin here with verse 37. Verse 37. And Jesus said to him, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. Well that's with all our notions and everything that we have. All our determination, will. And the second one, this is the first and greatest commandment. So it's the first four commandments to do with loving God. And the second one is like it. You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. And the second one, verse 39, referring to the last six commandments. God does everything based on love. And this is emphasised in both the Old and New Testaments. And while we're in the book of Matthew, let's turn to chapter 6, regarding this theme. So in Matthew chapter 6 and verse 33. But as for you, seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. So don't let the physical things prevent us from seeking spiritual goals and God's will. Seeking God's kingdom and righteousness as a major priority goes a long way to shaping our productivity in the right direction. It also reaches out to others as an example to them. If not in this life, then certainly in the next. And I want to go back a chapter to Matthew 5. Matthew 5 and verse 14. You are the light of the world. Matthew 5 and verse 14. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a mountain cannot be hid. What comes out from us bears the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5, 22, 23 again. Our light is whatever comes out by God's Spirit. And continuing verse 15. Neither do they light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it shines for all who are in the house, whoever is in the household, whether they are converted or not. In the same way also, you are to let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and may glorify your Father who is in heaven. Our good works invariably glorify God the Father and Jesus Christ. We come to point six. And that is, seek a deeper understanding of God's grace to us in Christ because it cultivates productivity. Let's see what Paul says in Titus 3. So we're coming to Titus 3, 4. When the graciousness and love of God our Saviour toward man is appeared, man appeared not by works of righteousness which we practice, but according to mercy he saved us through the washing of the regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit. And that is baptism. And continuing verse 6. Which he richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that having been justified by his grace, we would become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. And that is, put in the right standing. And continuing verse 8. This is a faithful saying, and I desire you to strongly affirm all these things, so that those who have believed God may apply themselves to doing good works. These things are good and profitable for men. Because we're only physical, we make mistakes. But that doesn't mean to give up. We need to always look to what the future holds for us, providing we remain faithful to our calling. And a well-known scripture to us all is in Romans chapter 12. Romans 12, in verse 1. I exhort you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service. And we have to yield or surrender to God. Continuing verse 2. Do not conform yourselves to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order that you may prove what is well-pleasing and good and perfect will of God. People want to be accepted and recognised by the world. People of all walks of life. People of all walks of life, which has rejected God and has the wrong standard. We have to be changed from this world's standards. God wants to know what choices we will make in every situation and circumstance we encounter. I want us to briefly look at the example of Joseph. After being sold into slavery by his brothers, he found himself in Egypt with no way of escape. But God did not forget him and put him in the care of Pontifer, a high-ranking official, Pharaoh. I want to look at a few verses in Genesis 39. So just turning to Genesis 39 and verse 2. And the Lord was with Joseph and he became a successful man and he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. So as a slave, he was very productive. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hands. God blessed Joseph because he had God in his thoughts and he did things from God's perspective. In verse 4. And Joseph found grace in his sight and he served him and made him overseer over his house and he put him in charge of all that he had. Well, I won't go any further with this and all that happened to Joseph. But we know that God blessed him and he became governor of Egypt. Pharaohs 2IC. To save them and many people in the surrounding districts from famine. He is mentioned in the first chapter of Hebrews 11. But we can use Joseph's example to lead to the next point. To lead to the next point which is point 7. Work your hardest in all that you do for God's glory. You will be well rewarded. Okay, let's turn to 1 Corinthians 10. 1 Corinthians 10 and verse 31. Therefore, whether you eat or you drink or you do anything, do all things to the glory of God. Since God is the sovereign ruler of the universe, all things are for his glory. Those who are skilled in their work will receive honour. This is speaking spiritually. We'll show this in Proverbs. The book of Proverbs. Do you see a man diligent in his work? He shall stand before kings. He shall not stand before obscure men. The king of kings and God the Father and receive honour. Connected with this is bearing spiritual fruit as mentioned in Galatians 5.22.23. I just want to come to John 15 again even though we have read it. I just want to emphasize something else. John 15 in verse 1. I am the true vine and my father is the husbandman, the owner and the vinedresser. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, but he cleanses each one that bears fruit in order that it may bear more fruit to the spirit within. You are already clean through the word that I have spoken to you. Dwell in me and I in you as a branch cannot bear fruit of itself, but only if it remains in the vine. But only if it remains in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you are dwelling in me. We must be connected to the Father and to the Son spiritually to be spiritually productive. We can't get out on our own and do our own thing. Spiritual productivity results in bearing the fruits of the spirit. It doesn't mean having an agenda for recognition or anything like that. Let's have a look at Matthew 3 where we read about John the Baptist and his role of baptizing in the wilderness. In John chapter 3, sorry I think it was Matthew chapter 3, verse 7. But after seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, you brood of vipers, who has forewarned you to flee from the coming wrath? And this was an official delegation coming to spy on him. And in verse 8, therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance. Now how productive were their works of law steeped in the traditions of men of Judaism and the code of Jewish law? Did they produce fruits worthy of repentance? Did they produce fruits worthy of repentance? In verse 9, and do not think to say within yourselves, we have Abraham for our father. For I tell you that God is able from these stones to raise up children from Abraham. It doesn't matter. It's not who we are that's important but how we repent. And in verse 10, but already the axe is striking at the roots of the trees. Therefore every tree that is not producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. And Jesus was most productive on the Sabbath day. When he healed on the Sabbath, he was confronted by the authorities over healing on the Sabbath, contrary to their works of law of Judaism. But in John 5 verse 17, Jesus answered them, my father is working until now and I work. The most productive spiritual work is on the Sabbath with prayer, study and fellowship. How productive are we in this? As we approach Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread, we are to be productive in preparing for this both physically and spiritually. Productivity in today's physical world is becoming more unstable as time goes on. We have wars and rivers of wars. We're threatening blockades of ships. We have the threat of AI taking over much of current employment which would render massive redundancies. Will it be like this in God's Kingdom? Will there be an end to productivity? Well, let's have a look at Isaiah. In Isaiah chapter 9 verse 7, well known to us all. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end upon the throne of David and over his kingdom to order it and to establish it with judgment and with righteousness from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord will do this. And this is an absolute guarantee. Now I'll just divert a little bit here. The second law of thermodynamics is the observation of physical cosmology that galaxies are moving further away from the Earth at speeds proportional to their distance. This means the further they are, the faster they are moving away from the Earth. This, of course, contradicts the Big Bang theory where some massive explosion just happened by chance and has been slowing down ever since. When we think of what lies ahead for us, the millennium, the Great Widespread Judgment Period, the new heavens, the new Earth and beyond, we can be certain of these things regarding productivity in God's kingdom. There will be none of these things. No sackings or retrenchments. No KPIs or job performance reviews. No threats of commotion. No sick leave or long service leave. No inoculation mandates. No hierarchy corruption. There will be no persecution of any kind. And this is eternal life we're talking about here. John 17 verse 3. It is based only on love for God is love. The final scriptures in this message are two verses in Revelation that I want to read out here. So in Revelation chapter 21 verse 26. And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. We will be doing productive things for the duration of all eternity. And the last scripture is Revelation 22. Revelation 22 and verse 12. And behold, I am coming quickly. And my reward is with me to render to each one according as his work. So brethren, what we do with our calling now is very important to our future and what we will be assigned to do. May we all be about our father's business. May we all receive the same response in Matthew 25 verse 23. Well done, good and faithful servant.