I will work diligently to be successful in my God-given calling
At my Job
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Most of us are called to have a job that provides for ourselves and for our families. Many times that job lines up with our passions and skills, but many times it does not. Either way, we are called to do our best, and to work with all our heart, as working to the Lord.
There are many factors to think about in regards to our job, hopefully this list will be a good starting point.
Dependence:
Go to work understanding your dependence on God (Proverbs 3:5–6; John 15:5). Pray for God’s guidance in your work. Ask Him to help you know what job to take, how to do your work well, and to help you have the strength needed to excel.
Integrity:
Always be absolutely and meticulously honest and trustworthy in the work that you do. When things go well, praise those that made it happen, when things go poorly, take responsibility. Be early to work as the situation allows, and give a full day’s work. The commandment, “Thou shalt not steal,” applies to not slacking when you are working by the hour.
Skill:
Get good at what you do. God has given you not only the grace of integrity but the gift of skills. Treasure that gift and be a good steward of those skills. This growth in skill is built on dependence and integrity.
Corporate Influence:
As you have influence and opportunity, shape the ethos of the workplace so that the structures and policies and expectations and aims move toward accordance with Christ.
World Impact:
As best as you are able, aim to help your company have an impact that is life-enhancing without being soul-destroying. Actively work against destructive programs (e.g., porn, gambling, abortion, marketing scams, etc).
Communication:
Workplaces are webs of relationships. Relationships are possible through communication. Weave your Christian worldview into the normal communications of life. Don’t hide your light under a basket. Put it on the stand. Winsomely. Naturally. Joyfully. Let those who love their salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!” Psalm 40:16.
Love:
Serve others. Be the one who volunteers first to go get the pizza. To drive the van. To organize the picnic. Take an interest in others at work. Be known as the one who cares not just about the light-hearted weekend tales, but the burdens of heavy and painful Monday mornings. Love your workmates, and point them to the great Burden Bearer.
Money:
Work is where you make (and spend) money. It is all God’s, not yours. You are a trustee. Turn your earning into the overflow of generosity in how you steward God’s money. Don’t work to earn things just for yourself, but work to earn things that you can give to others and to invest in Christ-exalting ventures. Make your money speak of Christ as your supreme Treasure.
Gratefulness:
Always give thanks to God for life and health and work and Jesus. Be a thankful person at work. Don’t be among the complainers. Let your thankfulness to God overflow in a humble spirit of gratitude to others. Be known as the hope-filled, humble, thankful one at work.
Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
2 Thessalonians 3:10, “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.””
1 Timothy 5:8, “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
Ecclesiastes 11:6, “Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.”
Proverbs 22:29, "Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people.”
Proverbs 16:3, “Entrust your work to the Lord, and your planning will succeed.”
There are more things to say about glorifying God in the workplace so we hope that you add to the list as God gives you light. The point really is: Whatever you do, whether you eat or drink or work, do all to make God look as awesome as he really is. The resources below will help you in learning more about how to honor and follow God in your work.
