Playlist:

playlist Go to the Work Ethic (topic) playlist

Work and Welfare

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Bible does not condone a government-supplied welfare system, insisting rather that people who refuse to work shall not eat (II Thessalonians 3:10-15).


Created to Do God's Will and Work

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God requires us to work and not deliberately seek welfare or food stamps, but He also does not want us to obsess on acquiring riches.


Why Work?

Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus said that His Father has been working continually, setting an example for us to develop a passion for creating, along with tending and keeping.


Magic Doesn't Work (Part One)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

While God is consistently depicted as working, magic seemingly provides a shortcut that bypasses overcoming and growth, attaining something for nothing.


No Work, No Eat

Sermonette by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Both God the Father and Christ provide examples of work, exertion, and industry. To become idle is to deny the faith.


Walter E. Williams (1936-2020)

Commentary by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Dr. Walter E. Williams was a stalwart champion of free enterprise and capitalism as well as a fearless enemy of the welfare state and victimhood mentality.


Diligence in Practice

CGG Weekly by Mike Ford

One author concludes, 'Practice isn't the thing you do once you're good. It's the thing you do that makes you good.' This describes our spiritual walk as well.


Are Our Daily Habits Productive?

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Some people, by virtue of their daily habits, set themselves up for success, while others doom themselves to staying poor by their unproductive lifestyles.


The Other Israel

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The media portrays Israel as a war-torn, savage country. Actually Israel is a world class scene, having a better GNP than any country in the Western world.


Tamerlane's Ant

'Ready Answer' by Mike Ford

Tamerlane, the 14th century conqueror, learned a valuable lesson from the initiative of a tiny ant, motivating him to turn defeat into victory.


Where Is My Rolls Royce? (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by Mike Fuhrer

We need jobs to make ends meet and have a little extra left over. Scripture lays out some general guidelines of what kind of work we should do.


A "Gimme" Nation

Commentary by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The noble trait of self-sufficiency, long associated with the American spirit, has sadly been eclipsed by a spoiled brat, whiney, 'gimme' welfare mentality.


Universal Basic Income

'WorldWatch' by Joseph B. Baity

Some politicians are proposing legislation to give cash handouts on a regular basis - a new, permanent entitlement program without regard to employment.


Why Governments Can't

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

While working for the government may provide a feeling of security, it can also breed complacency and laziness, inspiring a wholesale lack of motivation.


An Important Reality (Part 1)

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Government unions are unwilling to sacrifice, but feel that their pay is an entitlement. Do we also feel that we are entitled to God's blessings?


Strategies for Escaping Babylon (Part Five)

Sermon by David F. Maas

To escape Babylon, we must embrace God's work ethic, choosing to serve rather than be served, endeavoring to give extra measure and go the second mile.


Set Up For Success

Sermonette by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Richard Ritenbaugh acknowledges that young people display a proclivity to accept socialism, oblivious to the horrendous damage socialist experiments have brought to the world. Politicians of the ilk of Bernie Sanders have fomented hatred toward capitalism by comparing it to an imaginary utopia. Economist Walter Williams insists …


Conservatism and Liberalism

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Political and spiritual liberals both subvert standards based on law and the covenant relationship by those believing they have a better way than God's.


Increasing Your Life Span

Commentary by Martin G. Collins

People entering retirement often experience degrees of depression brought about by deteriorating health status and the feeling of no longer being needed.


Where Is My Rolls Royce? (Part One)

CGG Weekly by Mike Fuhrer

Some scriptures seem to say that all one needs to do is ask God in prayer for whatever the heart desires, and He will grant it like a genie rubbed from his lamp.


Why Be Industrious?

Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh

Training a child to be industrious helps him to be successful, which in turn promotes a stable family, community, nation and will transfer into God's Kingdom.


On Earning Wealth

Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The three principles for acquiring prosperity (diligently working, wisely managing what one has earned, and meticulously saving) all militate against laziness.


What's Wrong With the Kids?

Sermonette by Mike Ford

A major factor of the snowflake syndrome is the self-esteem movement, which has brainwashed young people into thinking they were unique and special.


Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Solomon emphasized in Ecclesiastes 2 that we should enjoy and derive pleasure from our work. The way that we work is a visible witness of God before men.


Why Do You Feel Entitled?

Sermon by Kim Myers

The entitlement attitude has crept into God's church, with people seemingly feeling they should be served instead of eagerly serving others.


Gambling: A Question of Motive

Commentary by Martin G. Collins

The addiction of gambling comes from the lure of effortless profit and the way of get, motivated by covetousness, which militates against contentment.


Could You Be a Spiritual Terrorist?

'Ready Answer' by David F. Maas

Terrorism is commonplace today, yet we may be causing just as much destruction spiritually as the average terrorist through negligence and passivity.


The Laborers: Matthew 20:1-16

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Because God is completely just, we have an obligation to be content with what He has given us, to allow Him to use us for whatever purpose He desires.


Ask, Seek, Knock

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In answer to the question, 'How can a mere human being fulfill the difficult expectations of God?', Jesus instructs us to 'Ask, seek, and knock.'


Tithing: 'Try Me Now!' (Part Two)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Tithing requires faith and trust in God, who provides our ability to acquire wealth. Each member must make his own decision. Tithing is based on increase.


The Path from Here to Beyond

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We have no idea when Christ will return. We must, in our mind's eye, see our God crafting us into what He desires, preparing us for His Kingdom.


The Eighth Commandment

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The eighth commandment seems so simple: You shall not steal. Yet, it seems that just about everyone on earth has his hand in someone else's pocket!


The Peter Principle (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by Mike Ford

We have our physical job, and then we also have our spiritual job. They go hand in hand. We are a witness to those we work with and to all those we meet.


The Commandments (Part Seventeen)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Wealth accumulated by honest work and diligence will be blessed, but hastily acquired by any kind of theft or dishonesty will be cursed.


Christian Men: Personal Responsibility

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Although men have no moral or mental advantages over women, God has commissioned them to actively lead, providing security and stability to family and society.


Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Ten)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Many of God's servants, including Elijah and Jeremiah, had their crises of faith, desiring to flee from their responsibilities and commitments.


Are All Forms of Gambling or Games of Chance Sin?

Bible Questions & Answers

Any activity that is based upon covetousness is sin. A Christian should not desire to increase his own wealth by depriving someone else.


One Answer to Distractions

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Distractions and interruptions caused by phone, e-mail, computers, or texting are detrimental to productivity and to the operating a business at a profit.


Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Five): Comparisons

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Solomon provides these comparisons to indicate the choices we should make to live better lives in alignment with God, even in an 'nder the sun' world.


The Peter Principle

Sermon by Mike Ford

As one uses the power provided by God's Holy Spirit, even one who has previously failed miserably can rise to astounding levels of spiritual competence.


The Tenth Commandment

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Everyone is out to acquire as much as possible for himself. The tenth commandment, however, governs this proclivity of human nature, striking at man's heart.


The Seven Laws of Success

Herbert W. Armstrong Booklet

WHY are only the very few—women as well as men—successful in life? Just what is success? Here is the surprising answer to life's most difficult problem.


Too Good to Ignore

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

When we become skillful, doing things that perhaps no one else has done, we acquire passion, creativity, control over output, and fulfillment.


Teaching Us to Think (Part One)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God is putting His children through a demanding educational program designed to teach godly values and impart spiritual maturity. Learning is hard work.


Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Eleven)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The Parable of the Talents teaches the need for diligence in using the gifts of God. God expects us to use our talents to His glory and in the service of others.


The Peter Principle (Part One)

CGG Weekly by Mike Ford

The Peter Principle is a concept in business management developed by Laurence J. Peter: People in a hierarchy tend to rise to their level of incompetence.


The W's and H's of Meditation (Part Three)

Sermon by David F. Maas

Developing the daily habit of meditation on God's Word can displace that deadly carnal nature, replacing it with Godly character—the mind of God.


Responding to Catastrophe

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

How are we going to react when the next disaster strikes our area? Are we going to gripe and complain? Are we going to sit and wait for somebody to help us?


Consider the Butterfly

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Creation teaches the orderly mind of God. The butterfly provides valuable analogies to illustrate our conversion and transformation from mortal to immortal.