A Working Christian
We often hear about different ministries and overseas mission trips, while these are indeed great causes it is important not to forget about our ministries and missions in our home. Recently, we wrote about our homeward bound mission field with our children. There is another mission field that we are involved in daily and one that can at times cause a Christian to stumble. The mission field that I am talking about here is our workplaces.
Looking back at my work experience I find it interesting that before I became a born-again Christian, I had other Christians working around me pretty often. I saw a difference in how they worked compared to our other coworkers. When I became a Christian, I quickly found myself in positions where I was the only born-again believer in my workplace. I would like to say that I was always a great representative of Christ in the workplace, but I know that is just not true. Part of it was me learning more about my faith and being convicted by the Holy Spirit that caused me to grow in this area. It is because of this experience that I know the impact a Christian has on the workplace. We must never forget that we are representing Christ wherever we go, are we setting an accurate example of Christ in our workplace?
Paul has a lot to say in regards to this topic, although the language that he would typically use would be to discuss masters and servants. Today we can relate this to masters being the boss while the servants would be the workers.
“22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Colossians 3:22-24
The first thing that we notice is that we are called to obey those who are placed in charge of us. In our obeying of those in charge of us, we should not simply be going through the motions (eye-service) or striving to ensure that we are the boss’s “Yes man”. I am sure we have all seen those people who act busy when the boss is around, but the moment they are gone the individual will slack off. This is not how a Christian should behave in the workplace. We need to live and work with the full knowledge of who we are truly working for, and that is the Lord. We need to have a sincere heart to do the work that He has called for us to do, not so we please man but so we please God. In other words, a Christian’s work ethic should be done with excellence knowing that our true audience is Christ.
As a quick side note to this though, it is important to remember that man’s law is not above God’s law. Any request by those around us that goes against the Word of God is not to be followed, this does not mean that we can’t decline respectfully. For more information on this, please read Daniel chapter 3 and see how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego handled the demands of King Nebuchadnezzar.
Paul enhances upon this topic in 1 Peter 2:18-20, “18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person endures grief when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.” We have all had bad bosses, I know I certainly have. And often times we tend to use this as an excuse to not have a sincere heart in our work. Maybe its cutting corners, maybe its joining in on the water cooler gossip, or simply not completing tasks. Either way, Paul makes it clear that we are to show respect to those who have been placed in charge of us, not only the good but also the bad. As mentioned above, we are constantly representing God to those around us, how can we bear witness to a loving God who fulfills His tasks and promises if we are not doing the same? Paul also makes a note that when we continue to deal with those bosses who are not the best in a respectful manner we will be rewarded. This is not to say that we will immediately see the favor of God, nor that our situation may change, but it is important to remember that our award waits for us.
But why do we need to show respect to those who show none to us? Paul very clearly points this out in 1 Timothy 6:1, “All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.” As representatives of Christ, our attitude directly reflects Christ to those around us. We cannot preach of a loving God if we are not loving ourselves. We cannot share of a God who fulfills His promises if we cannot fulfill our simple day to day tasks. When we show an attitude that goes against what Christ calls us to be, we slander His name. This in and of itself comes with a dire warning, “16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.” Titus 1:16. I don’t know about you, but I do not want to be considered worthless by God to complete the tasks that He has given for me. The world is looking for reasons not to believe in God, don’t give them any based on your actions.
For the sake of the argument, let us consider that the bosses that we have talked about until now are nonbelievers. We have clearly seen how our actions reflect Christ and how we should respond to a boss who does not believe as we do. Now let us turn to those bosses who profess to be born-again believers and their actions show that they are as well. You would think that this would make the workplace easier right? Paul discusses this situation clearly in 1 Timothy 6:2, “2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.”
Just because those placed in charge of us are Christians, does not mean that we are to slack off. There are still nonbelievers among our workplace. How they see the Christians at work interact will also affect their idea of God. If you take advantage of having a believing boss by not working with a sincere heart, you place them in an awkward situation. If they go easy on you then others will say it is favoritism, if they do not then you might have hurt a relationship with a brother or sister in Christ.
Jesus Christ shows us a great example of how we should be with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. “42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”” Mark 10:42-45. Even Jesus Christ, God Himself, did not come to be served. Instead He served those around them, even by washing His disciple’s feet (John 13:1-17). We need to ensure that our attitude it that of a sincere servant to those around us.
Seek the truth and encourage one another,
Alex