Artisanship and Your Family and Heritage Message 2

2. Artisanship and Your Family and Heritage Message 2

3. Your Family and Work What About Work and the Family … Should your wife work? … Should your children work?

4. Child 1 Child 1

5. Child 2

6. Artisanship and the Lifelong Pursuit of Wisdom Part I Artisanship: Mastering Your Craft (3 messages) Part II The Skillful Life (6 messages) Part III The Lifelong Pursuit of Wisdom (2 messages)

7. Artisanship and the Lifelong Pursuit of Wisdom Part I Artisanship: Mastering Your Craft (3 messages) A Wisdom as Skill in Your Life and Work B Artisanship and Your Family and Heritage C Discovering, Mastering, and Passing On a Life of Wisdom

8. The 65 Questions Wide Range of Questions Divided into sets—8 sets, 65 questions Check questions of particular interest, importance Our work is a “big issue.” First 3 messages: Build an answer on how to view your work.

9. Universal Questions These are universal questions. They have been part of Western thought since Socrates and Plato. They are addressed in every world religion. Every world religion has a wisdom tradition. As evangelicals, we are very confused about many of these questions. We cannot live life to the fullest potential, being all that God intended for us, without formulating a solid, biblical understanding that under girds all of them.

10. Answering the 65 Questions • The individual questions are important, but a solid basic answer will answer them all at once. • Building a Basic Answer • Expanding Your Answer • Completing Your Answer

11. Answering the 65 Questions • Core Questions: • Is the enormous time I spend in work valuable? Should I try to become a master at my work? And am I to become a master of wisdom, or is that for professional pastors and counselors? Does my work really count?

12. Building a Basic Answer • Right up front we set forth our basic answer (we will build on it for 11 weeks). • Wisdom is skill in living and is the same stuff that makes up our skill in our work (profession, craft, art). It is to be pursued and it can be mastered to a significant level. We need it regardless of our work. We should seek to excel in our work, for it will bring broadened influence in this life—success. A heart of wisdom will give eternal permanence to the work of our hands, even mundane labor.

13. Building a Basic Answer Your Job, Work Your Specific Skill (Art, Craft) in Life General Skill in Life—A Heart of Wisdom

14. Artisanship and Your Family and Heritage Family—Psalm 127 and 128 Wife—Proverbs 31 Children—Proverbs 1–8

15. Family: Psalms 127 and 128 These are wisdom Psalms. They provide a sort of framework for understanding work within the context of the family. They are “songs of ascent” to be sung by Israelites as they journeyed to Jerusalem annually to visit the temple. Psalms 120–133 are short and symmetrical, designed to give sort of a framework for life with God at the center!

16. Family: Psalm 127 1  Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard 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  Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. 4  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. 5Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

17. Family: Psalm 128 • Work and the family are significant focuses in this psalm. • Issue = building a house • Involves: • work (toiling) • success (blessing) • heritage (brings in next generation; God’s family, purposes) • Toiling/Sleepless nights It pictures work out of perspective, focus on security. • God wants to see a family get stronger in each generation.

18. Family: Psalm 128 1Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways. 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 sons will be like olive shoots around your table. 4  Thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord. 5  May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem, 6   and may you live to see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel.

19. Family: Psalm 128 • The family unit is in view—wife, sons • Implies productivity/promising future • A healthy, productive unit • Blessings and prosperity are one idea • Prosperity (3 ideas) • 1. productive, prosperous family 2. promising for future generations 3. robust people of God

20. Family: Psalm 128 As for work, in some way or other, every family member contributes to the success of the family. It gives the impression that the family is the core productive unit of the people of God. If lined up with the purposes of God, the norm is for the family unit to prosper from generation to generation, getting strong with each generation.

21. Wife: Proverbs 31 Climax of Proverbs King to son—the final thing is to pick a valiant wife. She is key to blessing and prosperity. She is more valuable than an inheritance. She will enlarge his impact.

22. Wife: Proverbs 31 • Outline • I. Her Value vv. 10–12 • II. Her Work vv. 13–27 • Expanding prosperity of home vv. 13–18 • Benefiting the community vv. 20–27 • III. Her Influence vv. 28–31 • Praised by husband, family • Praised by community

23. Wife: Proverbs 31 10  A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11  Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12  She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. Noble character—strength, efficiency, wealth, a force— used for army (BDB) competent (KB) best translated a powerful “competent strength” Sort of a valiant person—heroic (like Ruth: 3:11; 2:10) She expanded her basic sphere because of her competency. “She emerges as an important contributor to the economy of family and community.”* * Bruce Waltke, The Book of Proverbs (Eerdmans 2005)

24. Wife: Proverbs 31 10  A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11  Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12  She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. Worth = purchase price, from word for merchant Such a woman is rare! 19:14  Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. She has far more value than any human inheritance, and not just because people are valuable. We are talking economic value with balanced impact.

25. Wife: Proverbs 31 13  She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14  She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15  She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. 16  She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18  She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19  In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

26. Wife: Proverbs 31 20  She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21  When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22  She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23  Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24  She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25  She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26  She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27  She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

27. Wife: Proverbs 31 28  Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29  “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” 30  Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31  Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

28. Proverbs 31 Money/Work Words Worth/rubies Value Merchant ships Buys it Her earnings Works vigorously Trading Hands/makes Sells them Supplies the merchants Earned Works Reward This is what she teaches—Titus 3:3–5! He’s influencing at the gates. Everyone knows she is incredible!

29. Wife: Proverbs 31 • If you examine her work it has 2 parts • The Base—the Family and Home • Watches affairs of household, husband undistracted (fine food, fine clothes, both husband and children praise her) • Expanding the Base • Economic base and social impact of household (trades land—vineyard; garments—merchants and poor)

30. Wife: Proverbs 31 • This is what skill in living looks like. • When wisdom permeates our lives it will express itself in good work • prosperous work • meaningful work • rewarding work • intergenerational work • praise and recognition

31. Wife: Proverbs 31 • She was totally dedicated to her husband and her home as her base work. • All other work, paid and service oriented, grew out of and expanded that base. • Specific paid work was within the context of empowering her husband and expanding the success and impact of the home. • She was valiant like a warrior, entrepreneuring like a businessman, and serving like a public benefactor—all growing out of a “deep reservoir of strength” inspired by her fear of the Lord/wisdom.

32. Sons and Daughters and Wisdom • Listen My Son—2 Paths Prov. 1:8–9:18 • Avoid the wrong men Avoid the wrong women • A Wise Son Prov. 10:1–22:17 • 375 proverbs A skillful life in detail • Pick a Valiant Wife Prov. 31:10–31 • A more important choice than any you will make! It will influence everything.

33. Sons and Daughters • Father’s Exhortation • “My son” . . (1:8; 2:1; 3:1; 4:10, 20; 5:20; 6:1, 20; 7:1) • “Sons, listen to me . . (4:1; 5:7; 7:24; 8:32) • 1. Basic challenge—to stay on path of wisdom • 2. Basic warning—avoid: Wiser • worthless men • strange women Wise Youth Naive Fool Fool Scoffer Proverbs 1:8–9:18 Wisdom’s Inviting (Redemptive) Call 1. 3 categories of people on wrong path: naïve - fool - scoffer 2. Aspects of the call

34. Sons and Daughters: Wisdom 1 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. 2  I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. 3  When I was a boy in my father’s house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, 4  he taught me and said, “Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live. Proverbs 4:1–4

35. Sons: Pursue Wisdom Above All 5  Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. 6  Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 7  Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 8  Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. 9  She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor.” Proverbs 4:5–9

36. …a habit of lifelong learning …character development • character types • character traits • mental acumen Core Life Skills A Wise Son: Prov. 10:1–22:16 …living harmoniously in community …respect for authority & administration …kinds of generations …justice …disciplined in work …honest & fair practices …good use of money One leading a skillful life …dealing wisely & fairly with people …control of emotions & words ...handling conflict …well ordered home …an excellent wife …discipline of children

37. My Son: Proverbs 10:1–22:16 Let’s get a feel for how work fits into the development of wisdom as a son or daughter. Let’s just look at a few of the proverbs right at the beginning of the list.

38. My Son: Proverbs 10:1–5 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother. 2Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death. 3  The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. 4  Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. 5  He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

39. Children, Work, and Wisdom • Two basic ideas emerge • Build a good work ethic—Children need to learn the discipline of hard work. • 65 topics: dependable, diligent, honest, ambitious/sluggard, work habits, use of money, etc. • Careful foundations in wisdom are needed • Both father and mother • Proverbs 1:8–9:18 exhortation

40. Men, Work, and Wisdom • Unless the Lord builds the house, • its builders labor in vain. (Psalm 127:1) • We need to master our craft, it is part of living a skillful life and contributing to community life. • Yet we must place it in a larger context. We are building a house—a productive family unit now, a future generation, both serving the purposes of God. • Our craft stands alone as a useful service but never stands alone seperated from its larger value as a key tool in building our house.

41. Wives, Work, and Wisdom • 14:1  The wise woman builds her house, • but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. • All of her work is valuable: watching over the household for her husband; contributing to the financial prosperity/general wealth and enjoyment of the home; extending its reach into the community, etc. • All of that work will ultimately bring her praise, yet her higher motivation for her work is the success of her husband as he builds their house and carries out his leadership in the community. • All types of her work are part of her respect and honoring of God.

42. Children, Work, and Wisdom • How we build our house, including the skill of our craft, is part of shaping the lives of our children. • Training our children in wisdom in a way that challenges them to pursue wisom lifelong. It is a key part of shaping the success of their future work. • A critical part of this is building a good work ethic into them—avoiding the traits of a sluggard. • The essence of this is building discipline and habits of pursuing wisdom and learning to work.

43. Wisdom and Work Proverbs 24:3–4   3 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; 4  through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. What is our work all about? Why do we need to pursue wisdom lifelong?

44. Wisdom and the Work of Creation • Proverbs 8:30–31 • 30  Then I was the craftsman at his side. • I was filled with delight day after day, • rejoicing always in his presence, • 31 rejoicing in his whole world • and delighting in mankind. • Wisdom the craft of creation. • Wisdom is the source of your craft. • Wisdom is the skill of building your house— lifework!

45. Building a Basic Answer • Right up front we set forth our basic answer (we will build on it for 11 weeks). • Wisdom is skill in living and is the same stuff that makes up our skill in our work (profession, craft, art). It is to be pursued and it can be mastered to a significant level. We need it regardless of our work. We should seek to excel in our work, for it will bring broadened influence in this life—success. A heart of wisdom will give eternal permanence to the work of our hands, even mundane labor.

46. Expanding Our Answer • Family a productive unit • Wife a productive enhancer • Children—a heritage, multiplying the effect of the believing community • Our family, then, is a mainstay to the larger community of faith. • Our artisanship needs to be put in this larger context.

47. 65 Question Exercise • Pick a few of your favorite questions. • Discuss them with your spouse. • Discuss them with your children. • Discuss them with a colleague at work.

48. Question Set 5 • Is being a housewife as valuable as developing your potential as a professional? • Is volunteerism as valuable as being paid for your work? • Is it legitimate for a woman to pursue a profession? • Should women ever develop their “professional life” after the children are grown? • Should a single mother set as a life goal the professional betterment of her children? • Should children work? • Should children be paid for their work? • If children are illiterate, not afforded the opportunity for schooling, are they doomed to lives that don’t amount to much? • Must they become literate to accomplish a lifework that counts for eternity? • Do our children need to get a college education to amount to anything?

49. Question Set 7 • Do children, housewives, laborers (illiterate, semi-literate, and literate), professionals, and pastors all need the same kind of wisdom? • What is the relationship of wisdom to general education? to professional education? • Is wisdom the same as getting an education? • Does wisdom ever come with professional education? • Can I develop wisdom as I develop without an education? • Can I develop a high level of wisdom as a laborer? • Can children develop wisdom? • How do you teach wisdom to children?

50. Implications Today • Working wives and the message of women’s careers • Work outside the home extreme—why women’s ministry is an industry today • Why is a wife more important than inheriting tremendous wealth? • Children—must we entertain them? • Prov. 1–8 and a trial run at adulthood • Children as true contributors to the family unit • A productive, prosperous household