I was reading Luke today, and I came across John the Baptist's message. After he delivers a message of the Kingdom the exchange with the crowd goes something like this:
"What should we do then? the crowd asked.
John answered, "Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and
anyone who has food should do the same."
Even tax collectors came to be baptized. "Teacher" they asked, "what should we do?"
Don't collect any more than you are required to" he told them.
Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?"
He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely - be content with your
pay."
With each person that asks the question, "What should we do?" John answers back with something that has to do with the faults of their practice. The rich want to acquire more. Those with food are ignorant of those without. Soldiers extorted money because of poor pay. There are ethical implications of how we live our life based on the message of the gospel.
Two thoughts. First, what is your occupation, and what is said of the people in your occupation? In what ways can you counteract this to be faithful to the message of the Kingdom. For example (sorry car dealers), but a used car salesman is thought of to be slick and dishonest. How would they work differently based upon Kingdom ethics and the character of God, which we are to all reflect.
Second thought...what are the ways you need to be more Kingdom of God oriented in your vocation? Where are the areas you've bought into the system of how your company does things that is anti-character of God? How do you treat employees? How are people paid? How are profits made (at the expense of others)? How do you get ahead? How do you keep bosses thinking you're productive? Etc...
I'm thinking about this in my own vocation? What is the great accusation against pastors? And then second, in what ways do I have to change in my work to better reflect the character of God? Yes, pastors have to do this too!
