Dear Christian friends:

Christians are different than non-Christians. We may dress the same and have the same jobs and live in the same kind of houses, but how we think and feel is different. Also, how we think and feel about our daily work or job is different. We can show if we are a Christian or not by our work. In our lesson we see Peter doing his daily work. Peter showed his faith in Jesus by how he worked. So, let us talk about that idea today:

We see that Peter did not think of his work as the most important activity of his life. He was working hard mending his fishing net when Jesus asked him to drop that work and let Him use his boat for a pulpit, verse three. Peter could have made some excuses about being too busy and that he must hurry to get the nets ready for the evening fishing. But Peter made no excuses. He dropped his work and rowed his boat with Jesus sitting in it a little ways from the shore so Jesus could preach to the people standing on the shore.

A Christian should have the same idea about his work as Peter did. He should be a good, faithful worker, not careless or lazy, but he must not be a slave to his work, like many people are. A Christian drops his work to attend to other things just as important: his family, community, church and neighbors. It is easy to neglect our family, church or neighbors need and make the excuse, "I have to work. I am too busy."

Some people always work overtime and some even have two jobs. Then, of course, they have no time for their family, community, church or neighbors. This does not show faith in God. But the Christian worker will work a reasonable time, and then drop it, trusting in God to keep him and his family. He will not neglect his other duties to his family, community, church or neighbors.

When a Christian worker is successful he gives all praise to God. He does not boast about how good he is or how much smarter he is than someone else. Peter gave praise to God when they caught the many fishes, verse 8. After He had finished preaching, Jesus told Peter and his brother Andrew to row their boat out to the deep water and let down their nets for a catch. They obeyed Jesus and when they did that caught so many fish their nets began to break. Peter knew it was because of Jesus blessing his work. So, we like Peter should confess our sins and say, "I am not worthy to have such a good job and such wonderful success. God has blessed me and made me a rich man!"

If we like that humbly praise God for our success in our work, we show that we are a true Christian. But if we brag and boast and look down on the poor, we do like the unbelievers.

Christians also share their success with others. Peter did, verses 6-7. When they caught the many fish and their nets were breaking Peter and Andrew waved to their friends, James and John, in another boat to come and help them take in the fish. So, if we are a true Christian, we will be glad to share success with others who are not as successful as we are. God said to Abraham, "I will bless you and you shall be a blessing to others." When God blesses our work we will use our blessings to help those in need. Unbelievers do not share their blessings with the needy. They are stingy and selfish.

But you can show that you are a true Christian if you remember that all your wealth comes from God and if you gladly obey Him and share it with others whom He has not blessed in the same way as He has blessed you. So, as we do our daily work we show are faith if we believe in Jesus or not. May God help us all to show others by our work that we are His children.

Amen.