GOD, KEEP ME BUSY

TEXT: “Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor — this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart” (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20).

INTRODUCTION:

1.  Americans are among the busiest people in the world.
2.  We have more gadgets that are supposed to save us time and work.
3.  But, when we have more time, we just fill it up with something else!
4.  God wants us to be busy but not at just anything. Psalms 39:5-6 “Certainly every man at his
      best state is but vapor. Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy
      themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, And does not know who will gather them.”
5.  God wants us to be busy doing the right things.
6.  As Christians:

I.  BEING BUSY IS OUR HERITAGE FROM GOD: (18-19)

  A.  Another word is “portion or inheritance.”
     1)  Mankind has been required to work from the time he was created (Genesis 2:15).
     2)  Work did not originate as punishment for the fall into sin (Genesis 3).
     3)  Increased difficulty in accomplishing our work was the result of the sin (Genesis 3:17-19).
  B.  Toil by the sweat of our face and the increase of obstacles was the heritage from the fall.

II.  BEING BUSY IS OUR GIFT FROM GOD: (19-20)

  A.  God keep me busy with the right things so I will not worry.
     1)  Proverbs 15:16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, Than great treasure with
            trouble.
     2)  Eccelesiastes 4:6 Better a handful with quietness, Than both hands full, together with toil
          and grasping for the wind.
     3)  Worry is sin (Phil. 4:6-7; Matt. 6:31-32).
     4)  Work is God’s prescription for worry:
           a)  Matthew 6:33 Seek means to “go after with diligence, to work toward”
           b)  1 Thessalonians 4:11 “That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own
                business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk
                properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing”.
           c)  2 Thessalonians 3:10 “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If
                anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk
               among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those
              who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in
              quietness and eat their own bread.”
  B.  God keep me busy with the right things so I will not be arrogant:
     1)  Some brag about heir work.
          a)  Psalm 94:4 They utter speech, and speak insolent things; All the workers of iniquity
               boast in themselves.
     2)  Some work so they can brag.
          a)  Proverb 23:4 Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! 
                Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves
               wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.
         b)  Staying busy just to get rich is a very shallow plan.
     3)  Work is God’s prescription for arrogance.
  C.  God keep my busy with the right things so I will not be stagnant.
     1)  Stagnation actually is destruction.
          a)  Proverbs 18:9 He who is slothful in his work. Is a brother to him who is a great
               destroyer.
          b)  Proverbs 24:30-31 I went by the field of the lazy man, And by the vineyard of the man
                devoid of understanding;  And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; Its surface was
                covered with nettles; Its stone wall was broken down.  When I saw it, I considered it
                well; I looked on it and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, A little
                folding of the hands to rest; So shall your poverty come like a prowler, And your need
                like an armed man.
          c)  Ecclesiastes 10:18 Because of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of
                hands the house leaks.
         d)  Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no
               work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
      2) Work is God’s prescription stagnation.
   D.  God keep me busy with the right things so I will not be bored:
       1) 1 Tim 5:11-15 Young widows who do not remarry turn to being busy body gossipers as a
            result of being bored.
       2) Many sinful and unwise activities result from boredom.
       3)  Work is God’s prescription for boredom.
   E.  God keep me busy with the right things so that souls will be won to you!
       1)  Matthew 9:36-38 We need more laborers!
       2)  “Go” into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15-16)
       3)  “Go” and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20)
       4)  “Go” the second mile (Matthew 5:41)
       5)  “Go” to the mountains to seek the sheep that is gone astray (Matt 18:12-13)
       6)  “Go” When brother sins against you and tell him his fault between you and him alone
              (Matt 18:15)   
       7)  “Go” into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding (Matt 22:9-10)
       8)  “Go” in peace, your faith has made you well! (Luke 8:48)
       9)  Work is God’s prescription for seeking and saving the lost!

  F.  God keep me busy with the right things while I still have opportunity to work:
     1)  John 21:18 “Follow me” while you are still healthy and young enough to do it!
     2)  John 9:4-5 “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is
          coming when no one can work”.
     3)  Luke 2:49-50 And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must
          be about My Father's business?"
     4)  Galatians 6:10 “As you therefore have opportunity, do good unto all men”
    5)   Rom 13:11-12 “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of
            sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed”.
     6)  Eph 5:15-16 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming
          the time, because the days are evil.
    7)  Work is God’s prescription for the unwise use of time on earth.

CONCLUSION:

1.  Philippians 2:12 “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
2.  2 Thessalonians 3:13-15 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. And if
     anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with
     him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a
    brother.
3.  1 Corinthians 15:58 “Be steadfast, immovable always abounding in the work of the Lord,
      knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
4.  Work for the night is coming when man works no more!

(NOTE: Part of this lesson is from Mike Johnson, Richmond, KY)