A Vision of Vocation

The eighth in A Biblical Vision series is the vision of Vocation.

A vocation is a calling, and for a Christian it is our calling in life to serve God.  It will be consistent with the gifts, talents, and interests that we are born with and in which we find strength and joy.  Throughout the Bible God has led people in faith by the gifts He has given them.

Ge.1:27, "Then God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

- God created man and woman and He gave them a commission, a vocation, to fill the earth and subdue it.  This is the cultural mandate to use our talents and all the resources of God's creation to propagate God's kingdom.  

Ge. 2:1-2, "Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done."

- The calling to work is not the result of sin as we see even God did work.  He created the universe, and all of life and humanity.  He worked and called it all very good, and then He rested.

Ex.20:9-10, "Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work."

- The commandment to honor the Sabbath is built from the creation account of God working six days and then resting.  It is the creation design for work, and then to cease from labor, to worship God.

Ex.35:34-35, "And He has put in his heart the ability to teach, in him and Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.  He has filled them with skill to do all manner of work of the engraver and the designer and the tapestry maker, in blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen, and of the weaver—those who do every work and those who design artistic works."

- God has given different skills to different people, and even creative skills for beauty and design.  We all have skills for the building of the kingdom of God.

2Ch.2:7, "Therefore send me at once a man skillful to work in gold and silver, in bronze and iron, in purple and crimson and blue, who has skill to engrave with the skillful men who are with me in Judah and Jerusalem, whom David my father provided."

- We are called in relation to our skills, and Solomon called various workers for building the temple.

1Ki.5:6, "Now therefore, command that they cut down cedars for me from Lebanon; and my servants will be with your servants, and I will pay you wages for your servants according to whatever you say. For you know there is none among us who has skill to cut timber like the Sidonians."

- Solomon finds the skilled labor he needs to build the temple and pays their wages accordingly.  We see both the call of skilled labor and the just requirement for appropriate wages.

Is.41:4, "Who has performed and done it, calling the generations from the beginning?  I, the Lord, am the first; and with the last I am He."

- Isaiah describes the calling of the people of God.  God is building His kingdom and He calls us to it.

Is.41:9-10, “You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

- God has chosen His people, and called His people, and He strengthens them.  

1Co.12:4-6, "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone."

- God has gifted the whole body of Christ to build up the church.  We are called to God so that we can be called to the building of God’s kingdom.

Ep.4:7-8, "But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore He says: When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men."

- God gives gifts and talents to people as a measure of His common grace.  He also uses people’s gifts for the building of His church.   

Co.4:22-24, "Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 

- Paul calls us all to work with excellence in our labors, to bear witness to God and not as pleasers of men.

2Th.3:8-11, "(N)or did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.  For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat."

- Our vocation from God is to work unto His glory, we all are called to work even to eat.  Our dignity comes from being created in God’s image, and also from our work as God’s agents, to do the work God has created us to do.

1Pe.4:10-11, "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.  If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.  If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever.  Amen."

- Peter reminds us that each of us has a gift and we are called to use it for the glory of God.  We are not called to hide our gift or be irresponsible in our labors.

Ja.5:12, "But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath.  But let your Yes be Yes, and your No, No, lest you fall into judgment."

- James is telling us not to swear an oath in place of honest commitments.  Our work contracts should be based upon our character of honesty and integrity.  We are called to an honest days work for an honest day’s pay.  

The Christian's vocation is to worship God in all of life, and specifically to work, serve and live for the Lord.  He has created us for this purpose and we are to walk with Him in faith, and then to produce good works.  The Christian work ethic comes from Scripture and brings dignity and productivity to individuals and society.