Case Studies — The work profiles of three Christadelphians

Youth and the Gospel

Profile #1

The Christadelphian drifter. Holds odd jobs. Scrapes by. Shows up at all kinds of Bible Schools, study weekends, preaching campaigns, etc. Insists that everyone in the Truth ought to live this way, unshackled by the preoccupations of the world.

Profile #2

The Christadelphian career person. Educated. Upwardly mobile. Smart, successful, clever with money and seems to have enough of it. Attends Sunday meetings regularly. Usually stays in one locale long enough to serve in various ecclesial capacities before career demands call him elsewhere.

Profile #3

The Christadelphian average citizen. Holds a routine job and lives in a middle-class home. Works a steady 7.5 hour day. Attends Sunday meetings and most ecclesial functions with regularity. Otherwise indistinguishable from his non-­Christadelphian neighbors.

Questions

  1. Identify one plus and one minus with each of the three work profiles above.
  2. Is there a correct work ethic for Christadelphians? If so, what is it?
  3. Is it possible that all three Christadelphians profiled above have good work ethics? Explain.

What does the Bible say?

  1. Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-25. What is the correct spirit for us to have as we head off to work each day?
  2. Colossians 3:17. Is it permissible for us to compartmentalize our lives? In other words, should work be one part of our life, and time off another part and ecclesial life a third part with all parts being separate from each other? Explain.
  3. I Peter 2:18-21. If you have a rotten boss, are you justified in finding little ways of getting back at him or her? Explain. What options do you have if you have a bad boss?

What’s wrong here?

  1. “I’m going to do the minimum I have to do at work. Just enough to get by. Then the rest of my time can be for myself and the Truth.”
  2. “I am glad to have all the overtime I can get. I really need the money, and besides, it is important to set a good example of diligence when you’re in the Truth.”
  3. “I’ve got chronic back problems. They always seem to flare up either on Mondays or Fridays. I don’t understand it.”

What would you do?

You are a conscientious Christadelphian and give excellent service to your boss at work. As a result you get a promotion, a nice raise, and greater responsibilities. Your job also demands more time now. How can you maintain your level of family and ecclesial service under these circumstances?