Work Ethic

"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. 6 Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. 7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 8 Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free."  Ephesians 6:5-8

23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ."  Colossians 3:23-24

I know a lot of Christians who are hard workers.  They serve God in ministry, whether it be as a lay leader or volunteer in the church.  But not only that, they work hard in their profession earning the respect of others.  Most Christian men and women I know who have secular jobs build a good reputation as a professional in their field.  They know that part of their personal testimony and witness for Christ is tied into their work ethic.  Their strong work ethic and reputation as a professional gives them credibility among their peers and coworkers.  This credibility leads to respect.  People will listen to those they respect, therefore, those who do their best in their secular jobs will have greater influence and opportunity in leading coworkers, peers, and others in the community to Jesus Christ.

Sadly, however, I know a few Christians who don't pull their weight in their jobs.  They don't do their best, thinking that all that matters is what they do OUTSIDE of their job - the extracurricular or church.  They value only the time spent in the extracurricular rather than the secular.  They don't give their secular jobs their best, as they are commanded to do, because they think it matters little in the great scheme of things.  Thus, they let things on the job slide.  Their professional reputation and their credibility goes down the tube.  Coworkers know these people are Christians.  Coworkers also know when someone isn't doing their job...because when one person doesn't do their job, it's falls on the coworkers to do.  When someone is a professional slacker, EVERYONE knows and EVERYONE has to pay.  So the Christian who doesn't do his job to the best of his ability - is in DISOBEDIENCE to the will of God.  Look, if we Christians are no different from other people in the world, then how can we win others to Christ?  Your professional reputation is a part of your personal testimony for Jesus Christ among men.  "Then you will find favor with both God and people,and you will earn a good reputation."  (Proverbs 3:4)

Here's the bottom line.  Do your best at whatever you do - as though you are working for God.  If you are so overly scheduled or overwhelmed by life that you let your work ethics slide in your secular job, then maybe it's time for you to approach God about what needs to be cut out of your life.  God didn't create us to be overly scheduled, overwhelmed, and over and done with.  He created us to love Him, glorify Him, and live for Him.  If your work ethic on the job doesn't speak to others of His glory then what you are doing (or not doing) is damaging HIS REPUTATION as well as yours!    It's not all about you...it's ultimately about HIM!

Now, I know that we all have days or seasons in our lives where it just takes our best to make it through our work day.  Sickness and seasons of personal struggles will intefere with our ability to give our best at work.  God understands that.  However, what I am talking about is believers who REGULARLY look for any excuse to keep from doing their day jobs.  Bottom line, those who do this on a regular basis are just plain LAZY when it comes to their secular jobs.  They look for any and every (ridiculous) excuse to keep from doing the job they were hired to do. I love what is written in Proverbs 22:13 about the lazy person:

The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there!  If I go outside, I might be killed!” (Proverbs 22:13)

Sounds ridiculous, right?

Friends, most all of us desire to do our best in our profession or whatever else we do.  We are concientious of how our reputation among others is a testimony for Jesus Christ.  The bottom line is that we need to remember that whatever we do, we need to do as though God is the one we are working for - because really and truly, we are.  If we do that, then we can't go wrong.  He isn't looking for perfection, only our best.

Grace and peace!
In His Love, Cathy