THE MAN AND HIS WORK: Economic Empowerment
Scripture
Colossians 3:23–24; Proverbs 22:29; Genesis 2:15
INTRODUCTION
Part 1 was “The Man & His Identity”. You must know who you are before you know what you do.
Part 2 is “The Man & His Work”. God doesn’t just want you employed. He wants your work to stand out.
Genesis 2:15: “God took the man and put him in the garden to work it and keep it.”
Work existed before sin, before salary and before employers. Work is worship, not punishment.
KEY WORDS
1. WORK: God’s design. The capacity to create value. Every man must work. 2 Thess 3:10
2. ASSIGNMENT: God’s direction. Your specific lane. “David, sling”. “Solomon, temple”.
3. JOB: Man’s agreement. The contract that pays you now. Jobs can be lost. Assignment cannot.
A man can lose his JOB but must never lose his WORK + ASSIGNMENT.
BODY - Three TRUTHS
TRUTH 1: YOUR BOSS IS NOT YOUR REAL BOSS - Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men”
The world teaches us to work for salary, promotion, or fear of supervisors. Paul says change your audience. The man who works “for the Lord” doesn’t slack when no one is watching.
3 Tests if you work for the Lord
1. Private test: Do you cut corners when boss isn’t there?
2. Pressure test: Do you stay honest when salary is delayed?
3. Promotion test: Do you sabotage others when opportunity comes?
Illustration 1: The Trotro Driver
Driver A rushes, overcharges, insults passengers. Works “for men” to meet daily sales. 3 months later his car is in garage, license seized.
Driver B prays before work, keeps car clean, charges fair. Works “for the Lord”. One pastor board his trotro, sees his character, gives him contract to shuttle church. Kings.
Economic Empowerment angle: God rewards unseen faithfulness. Your 6am hustle “unto the Lord” will bring contracts men cannot give.
Application: Write your job description. Put “I do this for Jesus” at the top. Your attitude will change.
TRUTH 2: SKILL IS THE DOOR TO THE PALACE - Proverbs 22:29
“Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.”
Point: Economic empowerment is not just prayer. It’s skill. “Skillful”. In (Hebrew Mahir: sharp, diligent, excellent. Kings don’t invite lazy men. Prayer gets you the interview. Excellence gets you the contract.
Three Skills every man must sharpen:
1. Technical skills: Be the best welder, driver, teacher, coder in Tarkwa. Master your craft.
2. Character skill: Punctuality, honesty, no shortcuts. Col 3:24 says you get “inheritance” (long-term reward), not just salary.
3. Financial skills: Learn budgeting, saving, investing. A man who earns but wastes will still be poor.
Illustration 2: The Kente Weaver at Bonwire
Every boy weaves kente. But only the “mahir” weaver enters the palace. His clothes are tight, colors don’t fade. When Otumfour needs cloth for state event, he doesn’t call the fastest weaver. He calls the most skillful. That man stands before kings. Customers chase him.
Story 1: The Carpenter Who Built for Jesus
Brother Kofi in Kumasi. Other carpenters mocked him: “Kofi you’re slow”. He said “I’m building this for Jesus, not for you”. A missionary asked for “the most honest carpenter”. Kofi got contract for 50 doors. That job paid his son’s UK university. Today he has 12 apprentices. Speed without integrity fails inspection. Excellence without shortcuts stands before kings.
Application: Ask yourself: “What one skill will I commit to improving in the next 90 days?” Write it down.
TRUTH 3: STOP EQUATING, START EXCELLING
“If you want to grow, stop equating yourself with those who have grown.”
Point: David vs Goliath wasn’t about size. It was about assignments. David refused Saul’s armor because he had mastered his sling in the field. Your mate’s Benz doesn’t cancel your tricycle business. Your brother’s big shop in Accra doesn’t cancel your carpentry workshop in Tarkwa. God promotes men faithful with little. Luke 16:10
Illustration 3: Two Farmers in Wassa Amenfi
Two men got 2 acres each.
Farmer A climbs hill weekly to check neighbor’s farm. “His maize is taller. Chief likes him more.” He spends energy comparing, not weeding.
Farmer B wakes 5am, weeds, prays over his land. Never checks anyone’s farm.
Harvest: Farmer A has small cobs + debt. Farmer B has full barns + money to buy Farmer A’s land next year.
Story 2: The Security Man Who Became Manager
Brother Isaac, security at Adu Mine, Simpa. 7 years at gate 6pm-6am. Other guards slept. Isaac studied Excel + safety rules on his phone at night. Manager’s car broke down. Isaac helped + quoted safety rule. Manager said, “This guard knows operations”. 6 months later Isaac was promoted from gate to office. Same compound, new palace.
Application: Kill Three (3) comparison traps:
1. Social media
2. “Age mates”
3. Church members.
Replace comparisons with gratitude + strategy.
CLOSING CHARGE
Men, economic empowerment starts with mindset shift:
1. From Employee to Steward. You’re managing God’s resources.
2. From Average to Excellent. Kings are looking for skillful men. Will He find you?
3. From Comparison to Calling. Run your race.
Col 3:24 ends with “you are serving the Lord Christ”. Your paycheck is from man, but your promotion is from God. Psalm 75:6
Five One: Liners to Remember:
1. “A man’s dignity is tied to his duty.”
2. “Prayer opens doors, but skill keeps you in the room.”
3. “Your paycheck is from man, but your promotion is from God.”
4. “Comparison is the tax you pay for not knowing your assignment.”
5. “Work hard in silence. Let success make the noise.”
ALTAR CALL + PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for working half-heartedly, for laziness, for shortcuts, for comparison. Give me the spirit of excellence. Show me the skill I must develop this year. I refuse to equate myself with others. I choose faithfulness in my assignment. Let my work preach Christ before my mouth does. Amen.
Pray specifically for: jobs, contracts, business ideas, skill acquisition, promotion.