Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 3
When the speaker asks, “If I’m not working for God’s kingdom, whose kingdom am I working for then—my own? Satan’s? the world’s?”, what specific “respectable” occupations, hobbies, or church activities today might function like wartime “nonessential” work—busy but not actually advancing Christ’s kingdom?
Another way to ask: If you’re not working for God’s kingdom, whose kingdom are you building instead? What “good-looking” jobs, hobbies, or church activities today might keep people busy but not really help Christ’s kingdom?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript doesn’t list modern examples, but it presses a diagnostic question: activity can be “respectable” and still not be “the work of the Lord.” A reasonable inference is that anything that consumes our strength while leaving us disengaged from fighting sin and serving God’s purposes can become “busy but not advancing the kingdom.”
- The speaker’s key point is not about photography itself but about purpose: “It was now against the law to work in an occupation…not…support[ing] the war efforts.”
- He applies it inwardly: “in my own life, isn’t that the same with me and the kingdom of God?”
- He frames the conflict spiritually: “always at war…our flesh…sin…the kingdom of darkness…and…the kingdom of Satan.”
- He anchors what “counts” in 1 Corinthians 15:58: “always abounding in the work of the Lord.”
- He sharpens the either/or: “If I’m not working for God’s kingdom, whose kingdom am I working for then? My own? Satan’s? The world’s?”