God and the workplace

Gods' direction for our life on the job.

The Christian life is not something only to be practiced at church or home. In Gods' word we find direction for every area of our
lives and the work place is no exception. Many people are only exposed to Christianity only through working with a
Christian. If a person does not go to church or read a bible and has no Christian friends they probably are not receiving that
which they desperately need. The non Christian will find that if they follow the moral and practical teachings found in the Bible
they will live a life that is more fulfilling. However since there is a life that goes beyond this physical plane in which we live then
there is much more to consider. For the life that extends beyond this one everyone needs Jesus (Acts 4:12). When we consider
this we realize Jesus should be shared on the job site through our words and our actions.

Rom 10:14-15 How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they
have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is
written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!"

Matt 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a
bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men,
that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (NIV)

As Christians we must ask ourselves a question. If people on the job are only exposed to Christianity through us; what kind of
message are they receiving? People will not listen to our words when speaking of Jesus if our actions are contrary to that of
which we speak. Action really does speak much louder than words!
The Bible gives us plenty of guidance as to how we should behave on the job. Many examples in scripture deals with
that of slaves and masters. We need to remember that historically many Hebrews were slaves. Under this relationship which
was considered legal in their time both slaves and masters were instructed in the manner in which they should behave. Many of
these principals can be applied directly to our relationship between employees and employers. Since more people fall under
the category of employees than employers we will start with them.

EMPLOYEES

Rom 13:1-2 Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those
which exist are established by God. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have
opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. (NAS)

In Romans 13:1-7 we are told to obey the governing authorities. The context is really concerning the government and not the
job, but I think the principle may still be applied. When we agree to work for someone we volunteer to be subject to their
authority for the duration of the employment. This means that we should obey them the same as we should obey the
government. The only exception that can be found in scripture is when the governing authority tells the person to disobey God.
(Examples Acts 5:29 & Daniel chapters 3&6) In the case of the job a person always has the option to quit if the employer insist
that the person does something that is illegal or morally wrong. Therefore things like not being on time or un-excused absences
become a poor witness as well sin against God.

Prov 25:13 A faithful employee is as refreshing as a cool day in the hot summertime. (TLB)

Most people would agree that a faithful employee is one who can be trusted to do his job diligently and seek the best interest
of his employer. This means that we will be doing what our supervisor wants us to do even when they are not present.
I am reminded of a situation while working at Bear Creek Corp. Another Christian that I was working with stopped working to
share the gospel message with another worker who was not a Christian. The two of them stopped working for about a half
hour. I have come to realize that this was not the right thing to do at the time. Bear Creek Corp. was paying us to stack
the boxes coming down the conveyor belt, not to share the gospel. Certainly we were allowed to share the gospel to someone
who was willing to listen, but not at the owners expense. If we have to stop working to share then perhaps it would be better to
wait until a time when it does not interfere with our work. This instance was actually a poor witness to the employer and other
fellow workers who remained working.

While we are being paid our first interest should be to do what we are hired to do as well as what benefits our employer. I later
worked for an Employer who is a Christian. Does this mean that then I can slack off? No not at all, if anything I should work even
harder.

1 Tim 6:1-2 Let all who are under the yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God
and our doctrine may not be spoken against . And let those who have believers as their masters not be disrespectful to them
because they are brethren, but let them serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and
beloved. Teach and preach these principles. (NAS)

Notice here that the master should be honored whether they are a believer or not. The reason why is for the sake of the gospel.
Remember even if you have a Christian boss you are still a witness to other employees. We should excel in our work for the
sake of the gospel.

The Christian employee should not only obey their employer, but should also maintain a good attitude. This will of course
include times where it is not always pleasant. For instance suppose the boss is mad at you; how should you behave?

Eccl 10:4 If the boss is angry with you, don't quit! A quiet spirit will quiet his bad temper. (TLB)

Suppose that you feel that things can be done in a more efficient manner. You tell the boss and he disagrees with you. Should
you argue your point even after he said "No"?

Titus 2:9-10 Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well pleasing, not argumentative, not
pilfering, but showing all good faith that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. (NAS)

As you can see we should not be argumentative. Another thing that was mentioned in this verse is pilfering which is to steal in
small amounts. This is accepted by many employees as something that is OK to do. The fact remains that it is still stealing and
it is not acceptable behavior for the Christian. Another pitfall that some employees fall into is not working as hard when the
boss is not watching. As you can see in the following verse that a Christian should work as if he/she was working for the Lord
himself.

Eph 6:5-7 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, (NIV)

These things result in maintaining a good conscience.

Eccl 5:12 The sleep of the working man is pleasant, whether he eats little or much. But the full stomach of the rich man does not
allow him to sleep. (NAS)

One thing that is condemned frequently in the Bible that pertains to the employee is the matter of laziness. Some employees try
to do as little as possible and still maintain their job. I have met people who would be great workers if they put the same amount
of effort into working as they did trying to get out of work.

Prov 6:6-8 Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, Which, having no chief, officer or ruler, Prepares her food
in the summer, and gathers her provision in the harvest. (NAS)

Prov 18:9 He also who is slack in his work is brother to him who destroys. (NAS)

Prov 18:9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. (KJV)

Prov 19:15 Laziness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle man will suffer hunger. (NAS)

Prov 20:4 The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, so he begs during the harvest and has nothing. (NAS)

Prov 21:25 The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, for his hands refuse to work (NAS)

Prov 24:30-34 I passed by the field of the sluggard, and by the vineyard of the man lacking sense; And behold, it was
completely overgrown with thistles, its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. When I saw,
I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction. "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest," Then
your poverty will come as a robber, and your want like an armed man. (NAS)

The Apostle Paul addressed the issue of laziness among those whom the church was providing for.

II Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone will not work, neither let him eat. (NAS)

Day of rest. (Employee and Employer)
A day of rest is something that affects both the employer and the employee. God in his wisdom prescribed a day rest. This is
something that the medical field now recognizes is good for both the body and the mind.

Exod 20:9-10 "Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you
shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who
stays with you. (NAS)

Exod 34:21 "You shall work six days, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during plowing time and harvest you shall rest.
(NAS)

I believe that it is significant that this day of rest is maintained even during plowing time and harvest. This is their busiest times
of the year and yet a day of rest is still commanded. The phrase "you shall not do any work" is not limited to a certain
location. In other words it means you should rest not work on some other job on that day off.