SICK LEAVE…MY ENTITLEMENT?

A new trend has emerged among working adults. With the present
generation being more aware of their rights, they have started taking
advantage of sick leave being a job entitlement. Whenever a person feels
like taking a break, just consume the sick leave! It does not matter
whether I am sick. Anyway, it is my entitlement. I shall just consume the
sick leave and spend time with my friends and relatives.

While this practice is now common in the workplace, Christians must
understand that it is a transgression of the 9th commandment, “Thou shalt
not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” (Exod. 20:16) The world
may claim that it is alright to take sick leave even though one is healthy
and it is fine so long as it is undiscovered. However, nothing is hidden
from the eyes of the Lord. He knows all things (Psa. 139:1-3; 1Ki. 8:39)
Such an act is sin and gross dishonesty. Lying lips are an abomination to
the Lord (Prov. 12:22) and liars shall not enter the kingdom of heaven
(Rev. 21:8). Those who lie will surely receive the judgment of God.

It is good for us to remember the teaching of Psalm 34:11-16, “Come, ye
children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 What
man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. 14 Depart
from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD
are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. 16 The face of
the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them
from the earth.” While the world may resort to such dishonesty to gain an
advantage in life (in this case it is to make sure to fully consume their sick
leave entitlement), Christians must learn to fear the Lord and depart from
all that is evil. Honesty is the only policy in life.

Secondly, consider what will happen if one is discovered by others to
have taken sick leave but is perfectly well. Will that not shame the name
of Christ before the unbelievers? You have taken the name of the Lord in
vain. (Exo. 20:7)

Thirdly, since one has been granted good health by the Lord, we ought to
use this strength to serve God in the workplace which He has called us to.
We have also a contract with the company to fulfil. When we fail to do so,
we have stolen from both God and man (Exo. 20:15).

One sister in Christ recently shared in a fellowship group meeting that
she was tempted to take sick leave so that she could participate in
activities with the brethren. Thankfully she made the right decision not
to do so and continued to do her best at work. It was heart-warming to
see a commitment to righteousness. The Lord will honour those who
honour Him.

Let us conclude with 2 Corinthians 8:21 where God’s Word exhorts that
we must be devoted in, “providing for honest things, not only in the sight
of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.” A Christian must be beyond
reproach. That includes how we consume our sick leave. Do not give
opportunity for anyone to smear the name of Christ.

Q&A – Why did Jesus weep in John 11:35?

There are two common views concerning this. The first view takes
Christ as weeping over the fact that man has to die. Adherents to this
view would take that Christ had compassion over Lazarus and what the
sons of men had to go through. Out of love for the people, He wept.
However, we have to bear in mind that Jesus purposely delayed his
arrival at Bethany when he heard that Lazarus was sick. Neither did he
heal Lazarus from a distance like what he did for the boy servant of the
centurion (Matt. 8:5-13). In fact, Jesus was present in Jerusalem which
was only about fifteen furlongs (i.e. about ten miles or 16 km) away
from Bethany. By the time Jesus arrived at Bethany, Lazarus was
already dead for four days.

Why did Jesus delay His arrival? It was because Jesus desired to reveal
to all present, that as the Son of God, He was the resurrection and the life
(John 11:25-26). Alas, the weeping of the people (even of Martha and
Mary) revealed that they found it hard to believe this truth.
It is thus my conviction that Jesus wept because of the gross unbelief of
the people. Many did not believe in Christ and thus did not have life.
This was to the deep sorrow of Christ.

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth
in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth
and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (Jn. 11:25-26)

Q&A – What can I do with my children on vacation overseas?

This was a good question that was posed to me recently. I hope to address this
more from God’s Word when opportunity arises in sermons and messages. It
reveals that the brethren have a heart to remember the Lord while on vacation.
Praise the Lord.

It may be helpful to view going on vacation overseas as an opportunity to have a
mini church camp with the family. Devote time to spend with the family reading
the Scriptures and praying together. Remind one another that safety is of the
Lord. When we remember the Lord while on vacation, He will surely grant His
richest favours on the holiday. Do not forget that the original meaning of
“holiday” is actually “holy day”!

It is also important while planning the activities that none of it should involve sin
and wickedness. Going on holiday away from the eyes of men does not mean
that God is not looking. We must always bear in mind that the eyes of God are
over His children (Psalm 34:6-11)

Lastly, if the vacation has to be over the weekend, do not forget to keep the
Lord’s Day holy. Find a Bible-believing church to attend. If not, the worship
service of Tabernacle BPC are now streamed online. You may be away from the
brethren for a period of time, but that does not mean that you are away from the
Lord. Do not forget Christ while on vacation. We must worship Him wherever
we are, for He is worthy of all praise and worship.

Yours affectionately,
Pastor Clement Chew