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Php 2:12-18 (12) Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; (13) for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (14) Do all things without complaining and disputing, (15) that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, (16) holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. (17) Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. (18) For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. I'm asking the question, "How Are You Working Out Your Salvation?", because this Scripture has turned up in my meditation about work in general. In our country we have had some major civil construction companies go under recently leaving contractors and subcontractors unpaid for work done. This situation of working for nothing, or sustaining losses after much hard work is familiar to me in my Property Maintenance and Landscaping business also. The problem we grapple with is two-fold. Firstly, there is the cost of engaging in production so that capital costs and operating costs are passed on to consumers. But here's the second part of the problem, if the cost to consumers is too high sales of goods and services are not forthcoming. In my business some years are better than others, and a year of low overheads with high sales turnover keeps everybody happy. But this year has not been one of those years. My sales are down but my overheads are high thanks in part to my thirty year old Nissan Atlas truck needing an expensive rebuild of its diesel fuel injector pump, and also due to my paying employees above the award (legal minimum wage) to retain their services and enable them to meet their living costs. I have felt some fear and trembling while working out the salvation of both the vehicle and the business, struggling with the prospect of all my efforts being useless and pointless, but thankfully in my case there have been sufficient good years to cover the bad years, and all debts are paid. In Paul's letter to the Philippians, after we are given the example of Christ and His obedience even to death on the cross (Php 2:8), we are next exhorted to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, and then advised and instructed as to just how we are to do this, and why, as follows: (I like lists) Have faith that God works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. Hold fast the word of life, so that all you have been taught of God will not be in vain. Now back to the question of how you are working out your salvation, is it with fear and trembling, is it by faith in God working in you, is it without complaining and disputing as a light in the world, and is it through holding fast the word of life? Keep working...I know I need to. Your fellowlabourer in Christ, Michael37.