September 26, 2004

Mural Worthey

Cawson St. Church of Christ

Hopewell, Virginia 23860

Introduction

Some may be surprised to hear that the Bible discusses principles for employment. We spent most of our waking moments on our jobs. What we do there and how we live there are most important. Several years ago, we viewed a video series titled, "Your Work Matters to God," by Doug Sherman. In this excellent series, Doug showed the connection between our work and the Christian life. Many live and act as if they are two separate spheres, which have no integration. In fact, I have heard Christians say, This is business; it has nothing to do with Christianity! But it does. Christian principles apply in every area of our lives. There are no exceptions. Our work does matter to God.

Our attitude toward our jobs ought to be positive. It is a Christian responsibility to work. God made us to work. Adam was told to keep the Garden and dress it. (Gen. 2:15.) That work was much easier before the thorns and thistles started growing. God has always worked. The Bible says that God rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. Jesus said, "My Father works until now and I work." (John 5:17.) Jesus said that because he was criticized for healing a man on the Sabbath Day.

We have a responsibility both to our families and to others. "Let him that stole steal no more, but rather let him labor working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needs." (Eph. 4:28.) "But if any provide not for his own and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel." (1 Tim. 5:8.)

If we feel that our work does not matter to God, we will be indifferent about doing a good job. We will desire to withdraw from the workplace. There is something wrong with the desire for quick, early retirement. I do not like the distinction between secular and spiritual work. It is not found in Scripture. This makes people think that their job is not so noble. When we understand that all work is important in the eyes of God, then we will have a sense of dignity and purpose on our jobs. Remember that the greatest person in the eyes of God is the servant, not the chief. (Matt. 20:28.) I am convinced that there are two major reasons why people want to get away from their jobs: 1) They have the wrong attitude toward their particular job, and 2) because of relationship problems at work. (We noted some principles for relationships last Sunday.)

#2: As to the Lord

"Servants . . . not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men; knowing that whatsoever good thing any man does, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And you masters, do the same things unto them." (Eph. 6:5-9.) See also Col. 3:22-4:1.

This principle applies to both workers and employers. It says powerfully, Do your work as if you are working for Christ. God is our master and father in heaven. He is watching what we do. We have a more noble reason for doing good work than anyone else does. Our work ethic should be the highest and greatest—we serve Christ. We should do more than what is expected of us. We practice the golden rule. We work even when the boss is not watching because we are Christians. Christ is watching.

This same principle is mentioned again in Romans 13 concerning being in subjection to the political powers. We "must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake." (13:5.) This means that we obey the laws of the land even if the highway patrolman is not watching our speed. This means that we pay our taxes. Render therefore to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom. (13:7.) It also means that we do not participate in evil that the government may allow or even encourage. There is a higher power to whom we pay allegiance.

This principle alone would solve many problems associated with the work-place. It would demand that we stop thinking of our work as being separate from Christianity. It gives a Christ and God-consciousness on the job.

This concept would solve unethical practices of the employer and employee. There are many problems in the work-place and generally Christians are not faring much better than their non-Christian co-workers. Before we even get to work, there is a serious problem! A House sub-committee estimated that one-third of all Americans hired last year had lied on their resumes. (US News and World Report, February 23, 1987.) After we get to work, 94% of Americans admit to doing only the minimum to keep their jobs. (Study by Yanklevick, Skelly and White, 1981.) Employee theft is somewhere between 3-5% of gross sales. General Motors reported a loss of $1 billion due to people calling in sick when they were not. (Forbes Magazine, January 15, 1988.) What ever happened to the good work ethic?

The attitude of many employees is that the employer owes them a job. It is their right, and, furthermore, the employer cannot fire them. If he does, he will be threatened with a law-suit. Something is out of order when employees run the company instead of the owners. All of these attitudes are contrary to the principles by which a Christian should live and work.

In your work, be careful that you do not get swept away with the world’s definition of success. A basic Christian principle for work should be that success does not mean necessarily making a lot of money or being recognized by your peers. Success means serving the needs of others, providing a service or product that is good for mankind and not harmful, charging a reasonable price for your service or product, and honoring God in all that you do. There is a fundamental conflict in the world’s definition of success and God’s. The greatest person according to God’s view is the servant. The greatest person in the world’s estimation is one who wields the most power, influence and who has the most money. It has to do invariably with fame, fortune and force (to use three fs), or money, power and popularity.

We should be careful as Christians that we do not expend all of our emotional energy on our jobs. Due to the pressures to be successful, we may tend to do that. Then very little is left over for our families and church life. Many companies and corporations do not care about your faith and commitment to Christ. They do not care if you miss services on Sunday. If you want this job, then you must work. It does not matter to them that it is the Lord’s Day. And we sheepishly submit because it is our job. I would recommend finding another job!

Have you noticed that the world rewards its own and rejects those who oppose their values? Jesus said, "If you were of the world, the world would love his own. But because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." (John 15:19.) The world rewards those who promote worldly principles, but despises those who do not.

The reason some say, "This is business and that is church," is because they feel the great conflict between the world and Christianity. They wonder how they can succeed following Christian principles. The answer is that it depends upon how adverse the climate of the culture is to Christianity. It would be most difficult for a Christian to succeed in any business in the midst of a Muslim city or country. But we must remember that the world does not agree with Christian concepts. Along with Paul, we ask, "What fellowship does light have with darkness?" Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. (2 Cor. 6:14-15.)

In past years, much was said about proper dress for the office. One needed to look professional. You should dress for success. Today, the emphasis in many places is the casual look. It is the new dress down code.

But I am not referring to what you wear, as much as I am that you wear sufficient clothing and keep your clothing on! Dress for success. Someone recently was commenting on the explosion of sexual immorality and the fact that most of it originates in the work place. We spend most of our waking hours with our jobs. It is there that we meet new people. One said that a banner should be placed over the entrance to every office building: Beware of Infidelity! We have heard a lot lately in the news about sexual harassment in the work place. Even with many lawsuits and complaints, yet it continues.

Probably, the most common sin is flirting and crossing the line on topics with members of the opposite sex at work. Christians who involve them-selves in this activity justify their behavior. Many see it as harmless, innocent fun. Yet, the talk is really testing the waters to see how receptive others are to your advances. And it is not harmless and innocent.

A good principle to follow at the work place is sexual fidelity.

"Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is without the body. But he that commits fornication sins against his own body. What? Know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have of God and you are not your own? For you are bought with a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s." (1 Cor. 6:18-20.)

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men, knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance. For you serve the Lord Christ." (Col. 3:23-24.)

Doing your work heartily refers to one’s attitude and disposition. We should not grudgingly do our work. We asked for the job and we are being paid. Therefore, we should work with gladness. Christians should work in such a way as to be an encouragement to others. We should not talk about others in the office and be bitter toward others. We should practice the same principles for good relationships as we do at home. We should admit it when we have done wrong and forgive others when they have wronged us.

We should be an encouragement to others. Everyone experiences a great deal of stress from jobs. We can lessen that stress by being more pleasant to one another. Many are suffering from depression due to family or health concerns.