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 Working for whom?
For years I’ve heard preachers tell me that when I’m at work I shouldn’t act like I work for my boss, but like I work for Jesus. Besides the irony of hearing this from someone whose boss actually is Jesus, I’ve always thought it impractical and downright difficult. It sounds great from behind a lectern, but how does it work in the real world?
Picture the scene: My boss asks me to work late to finish something off before an important meeting tomorrow. It’s 5.30pm, and I’m meant to be going to a prayer meeting tonight. Surely I should say no, and instead go to the prayer meeting?
Or another scenario – Things are a bit tight for you this month financially, and you’ve been praying for an answer to your needs. Your boss asks you to work on Sunday to help close out a project, and offers you double pay and a day off in lieu... what do you do?
Sometimes it’s not black and white, and there’s no direct answer for us in the Bible.
Joseph worked hard. (Genesis 37 -47) He was the definition of conscientious. No matter whom he was working for, and regardless of the benefits (or lack of), he worked as hard as he could. He always gave everything to the task he'd been given. This in itself is impressive, but more so is Joseph's refusal to give up. His situation went from bad, to worse, to much worse, yet he refused to stop working hard and continued to give his all.
Perversely, this wasn't even why he was given the role of Pharaoh’s Prime Minister. His hard work led to nothing but prison and being forgotten by ‘friends’.
Maybe we’re missing the point. Being a Christian in the workplace isn’t about choosing between working late and a prayer meeting. Being a Christian is about having a relationship with Jesus. Yes, Jesus would prefer it if I didn’t work Sunday. My friend would prefer it if I didn’t work late and miss dinner with him, but is he a good enough friend to let it slide? Of course. If everything the Bible says about God’s love for us is true, then how much more will God be willing to forgive us? Given that He already sacrificed so much on our behalf, this seems to make more sense than we expect. Is it possible that God is providing the finance you were praying for by giving you extra hours on Sunday? Joseph worked hard because he knew that was what God wanted him to do. It didn't benefit him at all, and yet God planned it as preparation for the second greatest job in all Egypt.
Sometimes we just need to knuckle down and work hard, and let God take care of our future. It’s our purpose to do our best with everything God has given us, and that includes our jobs. Only God knows what the future holds, and he has an incredible one prepared for us! (Jeremiah 29:11)
Perhaps instead of trying and failing to follow rules, we should actually seek Jesus and ask what he wants.
Chris |
Chris, 17/08/2012 |
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| | | Graeme B (Guest) | 17/08/2012 16:03 | Great perspective, even the Jeremiah quote is in the context of the people being in captivity, imperfect position of what! Yep God wanted them to knuckle down, get on with doing things right where they were and eventually at the right time God brought his people back to the promised land, and had the king pay for the journey and fixing the temple and city walls!
| | | | Jeff Steady (Guest) | 17/08/2012 16:20 | Terrific stuff, Chris, thanks. And quite a few of us these days need to hear that Josephs's "situation went from bad, to worse, to much worse" but he didn't give up. A bit like team GB super heavyweight Olympic boxer Anthony Joshua - down after round one, down again after round two, then coming back with immense courage to take the gold medal. Way to go!
| | | | Suzanne (Guest) | 24/08/2012 10:21 | 2 Tim 3:15-16 suggests the scriptures give us access to God's wisdom in all matters, and train us in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (As a young person, be patient to let God develop this in you - this is for the ''man' of God' - ie. not 'child's play' any longer)...In the proper time, if we do not give up, we WILL reap a harvest of righteousness (Galations 6:9; verse 10 is good, too!).
You talk about Joseph. At first sight, Daniel gives a better model of how to serve a human boss, because Daniel was a man commended for his wisdom, and he understood how to 'walk the line' of distinction between being in the world's system, serving with 'wholehearted' 'sincerity'(Eph6), but being free from its idolatrous demands. (In putting God first the needs for refreshment fall into place; serving idols is without rest, which should give us compassion, not resentment, for people trapped in this futile 'rat race'!). Daniel also had some friends who understood they belonged to a different King; (although the One you really need in the fiery furnace is the Fourth Friend!) And, by the way, when possible Daniel also spent time 'gaining understanding and humbling himself before God' (Ch9-10:12)...Daniel's life changed the course of history - and he never even 'went full time'! What potential for us, too (THhose who KNOW THEIR GOD will do GREAT EXPLOITS! Daniel 11:32)!
However, back to Joseph's slavery: Psalm 105:17-22 gives an exciting picture! Joseph was only in prison 'till the word of God proved him true'... (You remember that dream he'd had that had got him into such hot water?!) ...Once he was proved true: The king sent and releasd him and made him master of his household'. You get the drift...?!
(Lastly, a general word of advice if I may?: Before you start basing your thoughts on a bible verse, please take the trouble to look up the scripture to get the exact words in their correct context. You remember, satan (mis)quotes scripture, too - which leads to discouragement. For this reason I suggest you reread passages like Ephesians 6:5-9 to check what they're really saying...Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth, use commentaries, other bible versions...Let's build our lives on the Rock carefully!
May God bring his word to pass in your life - all the dreams and visions!
| | | | suzanne (Guest) | 25/08/2012 09:32 | I have just re-read what I wrote, and in my enthusiasm to 'cheer you on' it comes across as being corrective or critical! - which was not my intention, so I want to sincerely apologise if I have been misunderstood.
| | | | Jakes (Guest) | 29/08/2012 13:54 | I want to approach the subject from a different angle.
Work relates to activities an individual is engaged in, whether it is for own pleasure or rendering service paid or not paid(e.g. volunteering) to others. Most important of all working for the Lord. The degree of work differs.
Well both Joseph and Daniel were in bad situations but they did what was best under their given circumstances. I think their attitudes were shaped by their educational knowledge about God.
Daniel 11:32 (NIV) ~ But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And being helpful and sacrificial is a virtue that boils down to opportunity to witness Christ’s attitude to others.
But as with anything on earth we must also guard against excess. Just because I am a workaholic does not mean that I should impose that on my employees. Or just because I am motivated by greed and or competition I should put pressure on my employees to work awkward hours. Incidents like the boss asked me to do an emergency task should be guided by the type relationship that exist between us.
From the other angle, Christians lives in an era where human rights are legitimate issue and we do respect it! Should I for the first time be confronted with an emergency (helping my boss out) , I can do that. But if situation repeats itself, I will have to communicate my situation too as this will enhance harmony (Romans 12:16-18). I know of Christian believers who were not watchful and who eventually ended up hospitalized.
| | | | Ralph Turner | 31/08/2012 09:40 | Great blog Chris. Knowing that there is no sacred/secular divide and that God is in charge of all aspects of our life will help us with the specific dilemma's we each will face.
| | | | Hugh Webber (Guest) | 31/08/2012 23:41 | Hi again!
Your wisdom from the Lord is shining through like a beacon my friend! You seem to have taken a sensible route. Sometimes though it may be right to tell our boss just what we are forfeiting to complete that work for them, and sometimes 'no' will be the right answer. I've had a couple of occasions where I said 'no' as I was leading worship that Sunday am, and could not even work from home between some of the hours expected of me. Stay close to the Lord, He will advise you. God Bless.
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