On My Way Up: A Summer Pilgrimage in the Psalms of Ascent | Psalm 127 & 128

George Costanza, The American Dream & A Theology of Work that Works (God Blesses)

News Flash: The George Costanza approach to work, doesn’t work.

The core of the American Dream, the engine of the American Dream, is WORK.

· Silent/Boomer: The American Dream is the opportunity to work hard and make your own way.

· Boomer/ GenX: The American Dream is the opportunity to hustle and make a lot of money. Money/Stuff = status and self-worth.

· Millennial Generation: The American Dream is the opportunity to do what you love, what you are passionate about. Work isn’t status, its identity.

· Millennial/GenZ: The American Dream has morphed into personal autonomy apart from our work. Work is becoming decoupled as the engine of American Dream. Individuals still have needs, wants and dreams but realizing those has shifted from a reward to a right.

News Flash: This ever-shifting philosophy of work doesn’t work.

A Theology of Work that Works (God Blesses): It is no surprise that the further culture has distanced itself from a God it has distanced itself from the God who works. Only a God theology of work, works to realize what we are really after…purpose and fulfillment.

Psalm 127 (NIV) Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves. 3 Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warriorare children born in one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.

1. A Theology of Work that Works: God works. God is the original worker and our model of work.

To jettison a connection between God and work is to lose the synergy of a work partnership with God and to forfeit the fruit of a co-creating relationship with God.

2. A Theology of Work that Works: Work is a co-creating partnership with God.

The core story of creation includes a core lie: God is not enough for you nor has He your best in mind. You have to make your own way and look out after your own interests.

“Vain” means your labor is toil. It is anxious, frenetic movement but it does not produce the desired outcome.

3. A Theology of Work that Works: We can neither build the life we want nor care for the life we have on our own. Ouch!

One of the more intriguing, hard to wrap your brain around, aspects of God is that He doesn’t need us for anything and yet He has included us in everything including “pro” creation and “co” creation.

 4. A Theology of Work that Works: God works with and through His people to fulfill His purposes. This co-creating partnership always fulfills His people.

5. A Theology of Work that Works: Working in partnership with God is as natural and as rewarding as having a child. What we build in life and the life we build cannot be separated from the powerful and protective work of God.

6. A Theology of Work that Works… God blesses co-work with good rest.

7. A Theology of Work that Works: Partnership is still work.

Proverbs 6:6-11 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! 7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,8 yet it stores it’s provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. 9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— 11 and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

Matthew 6:33,34 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

8. A Theology of Work that Works: Pursue God and His ways and that partnership will produce what you need and more. Don’t get caught up in worrying about tomorrow’s work, get caught up in working with me today.

How do we work in partnership with God? It is a matter of abiding.

John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

To abide is to stay in rhythm with, to stay tuned into, to stay in harmony with.

·      Rhythm requires proximity.

·      Rhythm requires submission.

·      Rhythm requires reliance.

9. A Theology of Work that Works: God rhythm produces God fruit. Veering and venturing out on our own is marked with toil and limited fruit. Human effort is necessary, it’s just not enough. A partnership with God brings production and protection.

Psalm 128 Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. 2 You will eat the fruit of your labor;blessings and prosperity will be yours. 3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. 4 Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the Lord. 5 May the Lord bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. 6 May you live to see your children’s children— peace be on Israel.

10. A Theology of Work that Works: Work that honors God with alignment will be blessed with stability and flourishing.

Psalm 127 = all work is vanity without God.

Psalm 128 = Co-working with God produces blessing, abundance and peace.

A Theology of Work that Works

1.     God works. He is the original worker and our model of work.

2.     Work is a co-creating partnership with God.

3.     On our own we can neither build the life we want nor care for the life we have.

4.     God works with and through His people to fulfill His purposes. This co-creating partnership always fulfills His people.

5.     Working in partnership with God is as natural and as rewarding as having a child. What we build in life and the life we build cannot be separated from the powerful and protective work of God.

6.     God blesses co-work with good rest.

7.     Partnership is still work.

8.     Pursue God and His ways and that partnership will produce what you need and more. Don’t get caught up in worrying about tomorrow’s work, get caught up in working with me today.

9.     God rhythm produces God fruit. Veering and venturing out on our own is marked with toil and limited fruit. Human effort is necessary, it’s just not enough. A partnership with God brings production and protection.

10.  Work that honors God with alignment will be blessed with stability and flourishing.