Making an Eternal Difference in the Workplace?

Share:

The United States celebrates working men and women on Labor Day. But, have you ever asked similar to King Solomon’s question in Ecclesiastes 1:3? — “What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?” — Is there more to work than that paycheck? What if its something you don’t enjoy doing? People around you may not be the easiest to work with. Perhaps you’re unappreciated and underpaid with too many expectations. You’re on a treadmill, going through the same motions day after day with little reward. It may be difficult to even think about making an eternal difference in the workplace.

Perspective Needed to See your Job Like a Mission Field, Where You Work in Ways that Count for Eternity

Make an Eternal Difference in the Workplace
Jesus said, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you” (Jn. 6:27). Now, Jesus wasn’t saying we should all quit our jobs and “do ministry” but rather to live for Him wherever we are and in whatever we do. It isn’t an either/or proposition. We can work for that which “endures to eternal life” in our jobs if we see the workplace as our ministry, as our mission field.

With the changing landscape of the workplace of many working remotely from home, it may be more challenging to know how to purposefully let our light shine digitally, by phone, with less people contact, or socially-distanced. Certainly, however, God is capable of giving us the wisdom we need for how to live for Him in whatever situation we might find ourselves. He promises wisdom to those who ask (James 1:5).

Power Needed to Make an Eternal Difference in the Workplace

How easy it can be to gripe and complain about our jobs or the people with whom we work. Sometimes the stress of a job, or a boss, seems unbearable. Maybe you find it difficult to put in an honest day’s work from home with all the distractions.

Both our actions and attitudes, along with our words, help determine the kind of impact we have in the workplace so it’s vital that we rise above. The Apostle Paul said, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation …” (Phil. 4:12) What was it that enabled him face hardships and persecution with grace? He continued with the answer. — “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13)

We need to take Jesus at His word when He says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (Jn. 15:5)

  1. We must acknowledge Him as the Source of all we need.
  2. We must constantly draw our Sustenance from Him.

Take a few moments for an honest assessment of whether you look to the Lord as the Source and Sustenance of all you need to make an eternal difference in the workplace.

  • How do you begin your workday? … rushing around trying to get ready and out the door on time? … or, sitting at the feet of Jesus, even if for but a brief encounter (Lk. 10:38-42)?
  • How do you handle the stress and frustration of the day? … flustered, fretting, and fuming? … or, casting all your cares on Him because He cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7)?
  • How do you react to inconsiderate co-workers, unreasonable customers, or exasperating bosses? … annoyed, gossiping, and vindictive … or, relying on the Holy Spirit to develop within you the Christ-like traits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23)?

With God’s help, it is possible to make an eternal difference!

For More Help: Labor Day and the Workplace Ministry Resources

Share:

Labor Day Is . . .

Share:

Labor Day Reflections for Christians in the Workforce

Labor Day, celebrated the first Monday of September in the U.S. and Canada, is a holiday to honor the labor movement and contributions workers have made. Other countries celebrate it on the first of May.

As Christians, we can use this day to reflect on work from God’s vantage.

Reflections for Christians in the Workforce: Labor Day Is …

a time to reflect on the provision of having a job and be grateful to God.

That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil – this is the gift of God. (Eccl. 3:13)

This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil – this is a gift of God. (Eccl. 5:18-19)

When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. (Deut. 8:10-14)

a time to reflect on the profit of work and understand how the benefits of working outweigh living on welfare when you don’t have to.

Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth. (Prov. 10:4)

Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense. (Prov. 12:11)

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. (Prov. 14:23)

One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. (Prov. 18:9)

Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. (Eph. 4:28)

a time to reflect on the purpose in working beyond the paycheck and let it affect your attitudes and motivations in going to work.

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt. 5:16)

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col. 3:17)

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters (Col. 3:23)

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:31)

a time to reflect on the pause from labor and admit your need for renewal.

Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, … For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (Ex. 20:9-11)

a time to reflect on the priorities greater than a job and maintain perspective.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matt. 6:19-21)

Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. (Jn. 6:27)

Share:

How Do Your Co-Workers View You?

Share:

Daniel & the Lions' DenWe preach and teach about Daniel and the lions’ den, focusing in on the miraculous delivery but what about the reason for being thrown in with the lions? True, Daniel continued to pray to God after the king had made a decree forbidding everyone from praying to any god or human being except the king for thirty days. But, the real reason goes back further to what led to the king’s decree, to what was taking place in Daniel’s “workplace.”

How Daniel’s Co-Workers Viewed Him:

Daniel was excelling in his job and was being recognized for it, which made his co-workers jealous. They wanted to sabotage Daniel’s success by bringing an accusation against him “but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him” (Dan. 6:1-4).

Notice that they could find “NO” negligence or corruption in him. That undoubtedly meant he did not justify even little breaks in integrity saying,

“it doesn’t hurt anything”
“nobody will notice”
“everybody’s doing it”

Rather, he was characterized as . . .

faithful

People could depend on him to do his job and do it well. He was trustworthy, consistent, dependable.

no negligence in him

He did not make mistakes due to carelessness. He was not remiss at anything. He would not have cut corners or glossed over errors. He would have been conscientious, attentive and careful in what he did.

no corruption in him

Daniel maintained moral integrity. He would not have gotten caught up in little white lies. He would have been honest and good.

Daniel’s co-workers concluded, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God” (Dan. 6:5). Since the above character traits flowed from Daniel’s walk with God, his co-workers would have to manipulate the king into making a decree they knew Daniel would not be able to keep because of his unwavering devotion to his God.

Questions for Us in the Workplace:

  • How do your co-workers view you?
  • What kind of testimony do you have in the workplace?
  • Is your work marked by excellence?
  • Are you willing to suffer for righteousness sake, if need be?
Share: