Module 8
Calling, Rest, and Your Kingdom Ethics Code
“Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” — Proverbs 16:3
Lesson
What You Will Learn
- Describe calling as the meeting of gifts, burden, and opportunity
- Explain Sabbath rest and healthy boundaries for owners
- Write a personal mission statement
- Complete and present a Kingdom Business Ethics Code
Lesson Notes
Calling and Gifts
A man's gift maketh room for him (Proverbs 18:16). Calling is often found where gifts (what God built into you), burden (needs that move your heart), and opportunity (doors God opens) meet. Lydia was a seller of purple (Acts 16:14) whose business and home became a place of ministry.
Sabbath and Rest
God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2). Jesus said, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath (Mark 2:27). Rest is a gift and a statement of trust: the business does not depend on me alone. Owners are tempted never to stop; plan a regular day of rest and worship.
Boundaries in Business
- Time: set business hours.
- Money: separate accounts; no lending business money without a plan.
- Relationships: be kind, but do not give away your work or be pressured into deals.
- Capacity: say no to work you cannot do well. Moses learned thou art not able to perform it thyself alone (Exodus 18:18).
Your Mission and Ethics Code
A mission statement says why you work and whom you serve in one or two sentences. A Kingdom Business Ethics Code turns this course into commitments you can post on a wall and live by. Write the vision, and make it plain (Habakkuk 2:2). You will carry it into CBE 212–214.
Key Terms
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Calling | God's purpose for your work, where gifts, burden, and opportunity meet |
| Sabbath | A regular day of rest and worship |
| Boundary | A clear limit that protects time, money, health, and integrity |
| Mission statement | A short statement of why you work and whom you serve |
In-Class Activities
Calling Map
Draw three overlapping circles: Gifts, Burden, Opportunity. Write at least three items in each and any ideas where they overlap.
Code Peer Review
Exchange draft ethics codes with a partner. Mark one commitment that is especially clear and one that could be more specific. Give feedback kindly and receive it humbly.
Assignment: Final Project Submission
Submit your Kingdom Business Ethics Code and Mission Statement (see the Final Project section). Be ready to share one commitment with the class.
Graded with the Final Project Rubric.
Reflection Journal
Proverbs 16:3 invites you to commit your works to the Lord. What has changed in how you see work, money, and business? Which commitment in your code matters most to you, and why?
Prayer focus: Commit your future work to the Lord and ask Him to establish your plans, guard your rest, and use your business for His Kingdom.
Weekly Reading & Devotions
Commit Your Works
Calling is not only for pastors. Lydia sold purple cloth, and her business and home became a base for the early church (Acts 16). Your calling may be found where your gifts, the needs that move your heart, and the doors God opens all meet.
A Kingdom business also knows how to stop. God rested on the seventh day, and Jesus said the sabbath was made for us. For a woman starting over, rest can feel risky. But rest is a declaration of trust: the business, and your life, do not depend on you alone.
Boundaries protect your calling. Business hours, separate accounts, kind but clear answers to family requests, and saying no to work you cannot do well all keep your integrity and your health intact.
Your ethics code gathers everything from these eight weeks into commitments you can live by. Post it where you will see it. Read it before big decisions. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established (Proverbs 16:3).
Think About It
- Where do your gifts, burden, and opportunity meet? ______________________
- What will your weekly rest look like? ______________________
- Which commitment in your code will be hardest to keep, and how will you keep it? ______________________
Daily Devotions for Week 8
Your Gift Makes Room
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.— Proverbs 18:16 (KJV)
God-given gifts, developed faithfully, open doors.
Reflect: What gift is God developing in you?
Pray: Lord, let my gift make room.
Do: Practice your gift for 20 minutes today.
He Rested
And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.— Genesis 2:2 (KJV)
If God rested, rest is not weakness. It is part of good work.
Reflect: When do you rest?
Pray: Lord, teach me to rest.
Do: Plan your next day of rest.
Come and Rest
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.— Matthew 11:28 (KJV)
Jesus offers rest to weary workers.
Reflect: What burden do you need to bring to Him?
Pray: Lord, I come to You for rest.
Do: Spend ten quiet minutes with God today.
Not Alone
Thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.— Exodus 18:18 (KJV)
Moses needed help and boundaries. So will you.
Reflect: What are you trying to carry alone?
Pray: Lord, send help and give me wisdom to accept it.
Do: Ask for help with one task.
Establish the Work
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.— Psalm 90:17 (KJV)
We do the work; God establishes it.
Reflect: What work do you want God to establish?
Pray: Lord, establish the work of my hands.
Do: Read your ethics code aloud as a prayer.
Module Quiz
- 1.
Calling is often found where which three things meet?
- 2.
Mark 2:27 teaches that the sabbath was made for:
- 3.
Which is a money boundary?
- 4.
A mission statement explains why you work and whom you serve.
- 5.
Name two reasons rest matters for a business owner.