Genesis 3:17-19
Do you ever feel like going to work is painful toil? I'm not talking about just having "one of those days." I mean the day-in-day-out exhaustion, the "I don't know if I can go on like this" kind of feeling that makes you not want to get out of bed. Maybe it's your supervisor, the tasks that you do, or your commute. Or maybe it's just not being able to do what you want, having to spend your time doing what someone else tells you to do. Why isn't work more fun?
There are a lot of people who enjoy what they do--I include myself in that category. But I would bet that even those of us who like our jobs have days where we're less than satisfied. That's part of being human. Literally. God told Adam that "through painful toil you will eat food...by the sweat of your brow you will eat your food." That was the Adam-specific punishment because he and Eve ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. We had always been meant to work--God put Adam in the Garden to tend the plants. But now, the nature of work changed. It was going to be harder. There would be failures, frustrations, and other things interfering with our work (i.e., thorns and thistles). From then until eternity, work would never be as pleasant as it had been before.
That doesn't mean that work is something to evade. Remember that the Bible emphasizes the importance of working. God calls you to faithfulness where you are. God put you where you are at the time that you live so that you would seek Him (Acts 17:26-28).
Knowing that you have a job in an economy where many people don't may help some, but it's not going to make an unpleasant job into a great one. God never promises that work will be fun. In fact, He promises the opposite. But He calls you to faithfulness in spite of the difficulties of your job.
Showing posts with label Purpose. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Purpose. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Created to Work
Genesis 2:15
God created Adam to work! When God was busy creating the heavens and the earth, His plan was always for humanity to work, taking care of His creation. Adam wasn't put into the garden to live a life of idleness. Genesis 2:15 says "The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." Just a few verses earlier, Genesis notes that, after creation but before humanity, "there was no one to work the ground" (2:5). Adam wasn't created to be lazy--he was made to work!
There are some in our society who see work as a burden. People look forward to the end of the day. Some are "working for the weekend." Others are counting the days until retirement. But God intended us to be doing something rather than sitting idle.
I wonder why. This was before Adam and Eve sinned, so life should be perfect. Why would God want us to work? I think one reason is because He works. The Bible begins with six days of God working and contrasts that with His rest. The rest of the Bible is about God working out our salvation. God is an active god. Since we're created in His image (Genesis 1:26), we too are created to be active.
Today is Monday, a day that has the reputation of being a "downer" day. It's the day that is the furthest from Friday and the weekend. But instead of thinking that you have to make it through the week so that you can rest on the weekend, remember that you are doing what you were created to do. This week, work with purpose--you were made to work.
God created Adam to work! When God was busy creating the heavens and the earth, His plan was always for humanity to work, taking care of His creation. Adam wasn't put into the garden to live a life of idleness. Genesis 2:15 says "The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." Just a few verses earlier, Genesis notes that, after creation but before humanity, "there was no one to work the ground" (2:5). Adam wasn't created to be lazy--he was made to work!
There are some in our society who see work as a burden. People look forward to the end of the day. Some are "working for the weekend." Others are counting the days until retirement. But God intended us to be doing something rather than sitting idle.
I wonder why. This was before Adam and Eve sinned, so life should be perfect. Why would God want us to work? I think one reason is because He works. The Bible begins with six days of God working and contrasts that with His rest. The rest of the Bible is about God working out our salvation. God is an active god. Since we're created in His image (Genesis 1:26), we too are created to be active.
Today is Monday, a day that has the reputation of being a "downer" day. It's the day that is the furthest from Friday and the weekend. But instead of thinking that you have to make it through the week so that you can rest on the weekend, remember that you are doing what you were created to do. This week, work with purpose--you were made to work.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Unless the Lord Builds the House...
Psalm 127:1-2
How often do you pray about what you do at work? Do you ask God's guidance before undertaking a new project or accepting the next assignment? I've already posted about the Israelites' experiences when they didn't seek God. Psalm 127 provides an interesting perspective on this issue as well. "Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain." Unless God is guiding your work, you are working in vain. Pretty sobering, isn't it? I know there have been more times than I can count when I've started a research project or began preparing for a class without seeking God first.
Look at verse two: "In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat." Do you ever feel like you're working harder and harder without seeing any payoff? Verse two finishes this way: "for He grants sleep to those He loves." God gives peace to those people who are seeking Him. Peace so that they can sleep at night. Peace so that they do not have to spend hours upon hours spinning their wheels.
Remember one of the faults of the people at Babel was that they were working for their own glory and not seeking God. If you feel like you're working harder and harder but not getting anywhere, ask yourself how often you are seeking God's direction at work. Ask whether God is guiding the work that you are doing. Don't labor in vain.
How often do you pray about what you do at work? Do you ask God's guidance before undertaking a new project or accepting the next assignment? I've already posted about the Israelites' experiences when they didn't seek God. Psalm 127 provides an interesting perspective on this issue as well. "Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain." Unless God is guiding your work, you are working in vain. Pretty sobering, isn't it? I know there have been more times than I can count when I've started a research project or began preparing for a class without seeking God first.
Look at verse two: "In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat." Do you ever feel like you're working harder and harder without seeing any payoff? Verse two finishes this way: "for He grants sleep to those He loves." God gives peace to those people who are seeking Him. Peace so that they can sleep at night. Peace so that they do not have to spend hours upon hours spinning their wheels.
Remember one of the faults of the people at Babel was that they were working for their own glory and not seeking God. If you feel like you're working harder and harder but not getting anywhere, ask yourself how often you are seeking God's direction at work. Ask whether God is guiding the work that you are doing. Don't labor in vain.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Honoring God Through Work
The smallest, most mundane moments at work are opportunities to honor God. Another blogger tells the story of her experience at Big Lots!, where she was amazed at the courtesy and service of an employee there. Here is an employee that might be the manager or might be a minimum wage worker. Yet he had a great attitude about work and fully devoted himself to his responsibility to help a customer. And regardless of his faith, this woman saw his service as a glory to God.
In almost every job, there are mundane or even boring tasks, those things that we just have to do. I love what I do, but as a professor, there are always little things that seem to get in the way of the really important parts of my job. But with everything, whether big or small, enjoyable or annoying, with each thing that I do in my work, I have the opportunity to honor God. So do you. Today and the rest of this week, try to see each task that you complete as your chance to honor your Savior. You don't have to be carrying a Bible to testify about Jesus--sometimes, all you have to do is be polite and helpful!
In almost every job, there are mundane or even boring tasks, those things that we just have to do. I love what I do, but as a professor, there are always little things that seem to get in the way of the really important parts of my job. But with everything, whether big or small, enjoyable or annoying, with each thing that I do in my work, I have the opportunity to honor God. So do you. Today and the rest of this week, try to see each task that you complete as your chance to honor your Savior. You don't have to be carrying a Bible to testify about Jesus--sometimes, all you have to do is be polite and helpful!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Blessed Interruptions
James 4:13-16 cf Jeremiah 29:11; Acts 17:26-28 On April 2nd, I received a "blessed interruption" in that my first child was born, which is why I haven't posted since then. Nathan was due on April 22--I was supposed to have 3 more weeks to prepare. I'd planned to have maybe a month's worth of posts built up by then so I could be posting here, but wouldn't have to fit that in around diaper changing and desperately trying to catch up on sleep. I'd planned to get ahead in a lot of things before he came. As I sat in the hospital rocking Nathan so my wife could get some sleep, I thought about how my plans for the next three weeks would need to change. That led me to think about James 4:13-16. Last August, I posted about the danger of living rigidly by a day planner. The text for that passage was James 4:13-16, where James warns merchants not to make plans without the caveat "if the Lord wills" we will do such and such. The lesson is that many of us, myself included, get caught up in our day-to-day to do lists and lose sight of the hand of God in our lives. Interestingly, God has a way of getting our attention sometimes. Steinbeck (and Robert Burns before him) explained that the best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry. Sometimes, those things happen because we're pursuing a course different from what God had in mind for us. But even when we tell ourselves that, it's still tough to bear down deep in our core. My interruption was a wonderful one, but that isn't always the case--not getting an account, missing a promotion, an argument with a coworker or supervisor, getting "right sized"--all of these interrupt our plans. The lesson from James as well as other passages such as Jeremiah 29:11 and Acts 17:26-28 is that God knows our plans but His plans take priority. In Acts 17, Paul explains to the Athenians that God put us here, at this time and at this place. Jeremiah tells the people of Judah that they are going into 70 years of captivity (a MAJOR interruption!!), but that God had plans for them to prosper greatly after those 70 years were over. How many times of prosperity have we missed because we've refused to consider God's plans for our time? As you continue through this week and plan for the next, be sure to leave flexibility in your schedule. Who knows what kinds of blessed interruptions God will bring your way?
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Seeking God in Every Decision
Joshua 9:1-27
My wife and I were reading Gary Thomas’ book Sacred Parenting. One of Thomas’ points is to emphasize the need for parents to seek God as they are raising children. He cites the Gibeonites as an example of the dangers of not seeking God. The story is found in Joshua 9. Joshua and the Israelites are in the midst of their conquest of Canaan, and the other peoples in the area are fighting for survival. One such people came up with a trick. They wore old clothes and had old food, and convinced the Israelites that they had come from far away. They wanted a treaty with the Israelites. The Bible specifically says that, before making the treaty, the Israelites “did not inquire of the Lord.” Thomas’ point was that parents should be seeking God in their parenting decisions. What about at work? The lesson of the Gibeonites fits the workplace as well. When you’re faced with a decision at work, do you seek God or do you make your decision on your own? Even in small things, do you seek the Lord or go it alone? From all of the evidence that the Israelites had to go on, they were making the smart decision. It made sense. Have you been in a situation like that, where the “smart” decision turns out to be the wrong one? Seek God in your decisions, even the small ones. Don’t take a risk on a bad treaty.
My wife and I were reading Gary Thomas’ book Sacred Parenting. One of Thomas’ points is to emphasize the need for parents to seek God as they are raising children. He cites the Gibeonites as an example of the dangers of not seeking God. The story is found in Joshua 9. Joshua and the Israelites are in the midst of their conquest of Canaan, and the other peoples in the area are fighting for survival. One such people came up with a trick. They wore old clothes and had old food, and convinced the Israelites that they had come from far away. They wanted a treaty with the Israelites. The Bible specifically says that, before making the treaty, the Israelites “did not inquire of the Lord.” Thomas’ point was that parents should be seeking God in their parenting decisions. What about at work? The lesson of the Gibeonites fits the workplace as well. When you’re faced with a decision at work, do you seek God or do you make your decision on your own? Even in small things, do you seek the Lord or go it alone? From all of the evidence that the Israelites had to go on, they were making the smart decision. It made sense. Have you been in a situation like that, where the “smart” decision turns out to be the wrong one? Seek God in your decisions, even the small ones. Don’t take a risk on a bad treaty.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Be Good at What You Do
Matthew 25:14-30
Although a talent in Jesus’ time was also a unit of money, it’s easy to look at the parable of the talents and see parallels between the master who trusted his servants with money and our Master who entrusts us with unique gifts and abilities. So one lesson from this parable is to use your abilities for God’s glory, and I think that’s a great applications.
But there’s another way of thinking about it. Consider the servants who were given five and two talents. The Bible doesn’t tell us for certain, but I would guess that each was a very hard worker. For the master to be as pleased as he was, they had to have done something worthy of high praise. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” I can’t see the master being that pleased with mediocre performance. Consider what was said to the worker who just sat on his hands and did little more than dig a hole in the ground: “you wicked and lazy servant.”
God cares how well you do your job. That doesn’t mean you have to be the top performer—the man who was given fewer talents was rewarded for performance based on what he had, not based on what the five-talent servant had. But God wants you to do well with what you have. I’ve mentioned this before, but a teacher of mine once said that “to be a good, Christian artist, you first have to be a good artist.” The same thing can be said of any vocation. For me to be a good, Christian teacher, I first have to be a good teacher.
What can you do to sharpen your skills in your job? It doesn’t mean that you have to be the world’s best at whatever you do, but you do need to use the abilities you have. Think about your job performance over the last week. Where did you waste time? Where could you have put in just a little more time and effort to make something better? God wants your very best, and that doesn’t just apply to Sundays.
Although a talent in Jesus’ time was also a unit of money, it’s easy to look at the parable of the talents and see parallels between the master who trusted his servants with money and our Master who entrusts us with unique gifts and abilities. So one lesson from this parable is to use your abilities for God’s glory, and I think that’s a great applications.
But there’s another way of thinking about it. Consider the servants who were given five and two talents. The Bible doesn’t tell us for certain, but I would guess that each was a very hard worker. For the master to be as pleased as he was, they had to have done something worthy of high praise. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” I can’t see the master being that pleased with mediocre performance. Consider what was said to the worker who just sat on his hands and did little more than dig a hole in the ground: “you wicked and lazy servant.”
God cares how well you do your job. That doesn’t mean you have to be the top performer—the man who was given fewer talents was rewarded for performance based on what he had, not based on what the five-talent servant had. But God wants you to do well with what you have. I’ve mentioned this before, but a teacher of mine once said that “to be a good, Christian artist, you first have to be a good artist.” The same thing can be said of any vocation. For me to be a good, Christian teacher, I first have to be a good teacher.
What can you do to sharpen your skills in your job? It doesn’t mean that you have to be the world’s best at whatever you do, but you do need to use the abilities you have. Think about your job performance over the last week. Where did you waste time? Where could you have put in just a little more time and effort to make something better? God wants your very best, and that doesn’t just apply to Sundays.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Calling Upon the Lord...At Work
How often do you call upon God at work? How often are you meditating on his word while sitting at your desk or workstation?
If you're like most, perhaps you cry out to God if something's going really wrong at work. Or maybe you think about how God would have wanted you to handle a situation as you think back on your day.
Go to God when you're making decisions at work, even the seemingly insignificant decisions. Go to God when that coworker that you don't like approaches you. Go to God when you're tempted to push the limits of ethics in a business transaction. There is a tremendous, untapped Power that is waiting for you. If you are serious about living out your faith in your workplace, call on God and watch His Spirit move you.
If you're like most, perhaps you cry out to God if something's going really wrong at work. Or maybe you think about how God would have wanted you to handle a situation as you think back on your day.
Go to God when you're making decisions at work, even the seemingly insignificant decisions. Go to God when that coworker that you don't like approaches you. Go to God when you're tempted to push the limits of ethics in a business transaction. There is a tremendous, untapped Power that is waiting for you. If you are serious about living out your faith in your workplace, call on God and watch His Spirit move you.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Lessons from the First Organization
Genesis 11:1-9
I was reading a book by Myron Rush entitled "Management: A Biblical Approach" last week, and he made a point that had never occurred to me. As far as we know, the first organization in the Bible occurred in the City of Babel as the people were constructing their tower. Sure, there may have been what you might call family businesses before that--farming and herding types of things. And yes, if Noah's sons or neighbors helped him, you could call that an organization. But in terms of explicitly mentioned references to people organizing their labor, the Tower of Babel is the first one in the Bible. A lot of times, we skip over this story on our way from Noah to Abraham, and when we do hear lessons about Babel, it's usually related to pride or to seeking God's will. But Rush explains that there's a lot to learn about running a business in those verses as well.
When you think about it, Babel Construction was an extremely successful company. God didn't say, "well, this isn't going to amount to anything, but let's mess up their language anyway." He said, "nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them." The organization set up by the people of Babel was second to none. What did they have that gave them such potential? Commitment to a goal (verses 3-4), everyone on the same page (verse 6), and effective communication (verses 1, 6). Of course, the thing that ultimately became their downfall was that their goal was not alligned with God. But their potential was tremendous!
There are two points to take away from this story in terms of faith in the workplace. First, as a communication professor, I would be falling down on the job if I didn't point out the importance of good communication. The way God doomed their project was to mess up their communication. He could have brought an earthquake or a hurricane, but instead, he made it difficult for them to talk. Communication is key. Second, and more importantly, you have to be pursuing godly objectives. If your business pursues money above all else, watch out that your tower doesn't fall. James reminds us to keep God at the center of our plans. Proverbs 16:3 explains that we should commit our plans to the Lord, who will make our paths straight. Perhaps even more to the point, unless the Lord is building your house (or business or nonprofit or church), the workers are laboring in vain (Psalm 127:1).
I was reading a book by Myron Rush entitled "Management: A Biblical Approach" last week, and he made a point that had never occurred to me. As far as we know, the first organization in the Bible occurred in the City of Babel as the people were constructing their tower. Sure, there may have been what you might call family businesses before that--farming and herding types of things. And yes, if Noah's sons or neighbors helped him, you could call that an organization. But in terms of explicitly mentioned references to people organizing their labor, the Tower of Babel is the first one in the Bible. A lot of times, we skip over this story on our way from Noah to Abraham, and when we do hear lessons about Babel, it's usually related to pride or to seeking God's will. But Rush explains that there's a lot to learn about running a business in those verses as well.
When you think about it, Babel Construction was an extremely successful company. God didn't say, "well, this isn't going to amount to anything, but let's mess up their language anyway." He said, "nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them." The organization set up by the people of Babel was second to none. What did they have that gave them such potential? Commitment to a goal (verses 3-4), everyone on the same page (verse 6), and effective communication (verses 1, 6). Of course, the thing that ultimately became their downfall was that their goal was not alligned with God. But their potential was tremendous!
There are two points to take away from this story in terms of faith in the workplace. First, as a communication professor, I would be falling down on the job if I didn't point out the importance of good communication. The way God doomed their project was to mess up their communication. He could have brought an earthquake or a hurricane, but instead, he made it difficult for them to talk. Communication is key. Second, and more importantly, you have to be pursuing godly objectives. If your business pursues money above all else, watch out that your tower doesn't fall. James reminds us to keep God at the center of our plans. Proverbs 16:3 explains that we should commit our plans to the Lord, who will make our paths straight. Perhaps even more to the point, unless the Lord is building your house (or business or nonprofit or church), the workers are laboring in vain (Psalm 127:1).
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
How Can Your Work Bless God's People
Acts 4:32-36
You hear a lot on television and in popular books about how God will bless your work if you follow Him. That's commonly called prosperity gospel, and there are a number of problems with that kind of theology. But think about reversing those ideas. How can your work bless God's people? The typical answer is that I can make a lot of money and then I'll give a portion of that money to my church, to missionaries, or to other God-centered causes. But that's still a version of the prosperity gospel that says, "if you'll give me more, I'll give back some of it." Regardless of how much money you make, you can still honor God and serve His Kingdom through what you do. My assumption is that your job is both legal and moral. Assuming that, how can what you do serve others?
A perfect example of this is found in Acts 4. The believers were excited about their new faith and the new community that was forming around that faith. They were excited about worshiping Jesus together, and one way that they expressed that joy was to pool their resources to help the needy among them. Look at Barnabas in verse 36. He used a real estate transaction to honor God.
As you work today, think about how your job can honor God. If you are in construction-related fields, can you do repair work at a local church or build churches in foreign places in need? If your an accountant, can you provide that service for your church or offer free tax services to those in need? If you're in marketing or public relations, perhaps your church needs a fresh web page or Internet presence. As a teacher, I can teach Bible classes to help others deepen their love of Jesus. Whatever you do, how can you use those talents to serve God's people?
You hear a lot on television and in popular books about how God will bless your work if you follow Him. That's commonly called prosperity gospel, and there are a number of problems with that kind of theology. But think about reversing those ideas. How can your work bless God's people? The typical answer is that I can make a lot of money and then I'll give a portion of that money to my church, to missionaries, or to other God-centered causes. But that's still a version of the prosperity gospel that says, "if you'll give me more, I'll give back some of it." Regardless of how much money you make, you can still honor God and serve His Kingdom through what you do. My assumption is that your job is both legal and moral. Assuming that, how can what you do serve others?
A perfect example of this is found in Acts 4. The believers were excited about their new faith and the new community that was forming around that faith. They were excited about worshiping Jesus together, and one way that they expressed that joy was to pool their resources to help the needy among them. Look at Barnabas in verse 36. He used a real estate transaction to honor God.
As you work today, think about how your job can honor God. If you are in construction-related fields, can you do repair work at a local church or build churches in foreign places in need? If your an accountant, can you provide that service for your church or offer free tax services to those in need? If you're in marketing or public relations, perhaps your church needs a fresh web page or Internet presence. As a teacher, I can teach Bible classes to help others deepen their love of Jesus. Whatever you do, how can you use those talents to serve God's people?
Monday, December 13, 2010
Deny Yourself and Follow Me
Matthew 16:24-26; Mark 8:34-38; Luke 9:23-24
This is another one of those passages that really makes a good "theme" verse for what this blog is all about. "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." What does that really mean in the 21st century? What does it mean at work? It's not language we're really used to in every day conversations. Obviously, this verse applies to every part of our lives. But since this blog is about Christianity in the workplace, let me share some of what I think this verse means regarding work.
I think, first and foremost, it means that we need to resist our human nature toward ambition at any cost. I don't think that's a univeral trait because I've seen people who are not overly driven by ambition, but I think it is a common trait. We want to succeed. We want to be the best. And being the best means that others around us are not the best. Sometimes, our winning means they have to lose. But that's ok, because we have to be the best. There is a sense that any sacrifice is ok if it means that we advance, that we are recognized as "the best" or "among the best" at whatever it is that we do. And so relationships, family, integrity, it all may fall prey to the drive to achieve.
As I've posted before, God wants us to be good at what we do, to use our talents to His glory. We need to do quality work. But we're not supposed to be working to achieve our own glory. We're to do quality work because we're working for God's glory, not our own. So that's really the first part of today's passage--deny yourself, which might mean "deny your drive to accomplish your own glory" at work.
Then second, pick up your cross and follow Christ. Being Chrisitan at work makes you different, makes you stand out from the crowd. Your talk is different. You don't lie or gossip. You respect authority, even when the boss is not looking. Those things may make you the subject of ridicule from your coworkers, who laugh at you for being soft and not cut-throat enough. You may miss out on promotions because you turn the other cheek instead of going for the kill. That's why following Christ means picking up a cross.
It's not the easy road. And contrary to some popular wisdom, it won't win you fortunes and fame. So why do it? First, because look at how much you've been loved. That's enough right there. But if you need more motivation, Jesus gives it two verses later: "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?" Does your success in your job, at the expense of so many other things, get you anything in the long run? I'm talking about the really long run here. At the end of everything, you won't be taking anything that you've earned with you. It won't matter how many deals you've closed, how much overtime you've logged, or how many people you had to climb over to claw your way to the top. It won't matter whether you had the corner office on the top floor or whether you worked as a clerk in the mail room. The only thing that will matter is Jesus.
He calls to you: "Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me." What do you say to Him?
This is another one of those passages that really makes a good "theme" verse for what this blog is all about. "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." What does that really mean in the 21st century? What does it mean at work? It's not language we're really used to in every day conversations. Obviously, this verse applies to every part of our lives. But since this blog is about Christianity in the workplace, let me share some of what I think this verse means regarding work.
I think, first and foremost, it means that we need to resist our human nature toward ambition at any cost. I don't think that's a univeral trait because I've seen people who are not overly driven by ambition, but I think it is a common trait. We want to succeed. We want to be the best. And being the best means that others around us are not the best. Sometimes, our winning means they have to lose. But that's ok, because we have to be the best. There is a sense that any sacrifice is ok if it means that we advance, that we are recognized as "the best" or "among the best" at whatever it is that we do. And so relationships, family, integrity, it all may fall prey to the drive to achieve.
As I've posted before, God wants us to be good at what we do, to use our talents to His glory. We need to do quality work. But we're not supposed to be working to achieve our own glory. We're to do quality work because we're working for God's glory, not our own. So that's really the first part of today's passage--deny yourself, which might mean "deny your drive to accomplish your own glory" at work.
Then second, pick up your cross and follow Christ. Being Chrisitan at work makes you different, makes you stand out from the crowd. Your talk is different. You don't lie or gossip. You respect authority, even when the boss is not looking. Those things may make you the subject of ridicule from your coworkers, who laugh at you for being soft and not cut-throat enough. You may miss out on promotions because you turn the other cheek instead of going for the kill. That's why following Christ means picking up a cross.
It's not the easy road. And contrary to some popular wisdom, it won't win you fortunes and fame. So why do it? First, because look at how much you've been loved. That's enough right there. But if you need more motivation, Jesus gives it two verses later: "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?" Does your success in your job, at the expense of so many other things, get you anything in the long run? I'm talking about the really long run here. At the end of everything, you won't be taking anything that you've earned with you. It won't matter how many deals you've closed, how much overtime you've logged, or how many people you had to climb over to claw your way to the top. It won't matter whether you had the corner office on the top floor or whether you worked as a clerk in the mail room. The only thing that will matter is Jesus.
He calls to you: "Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me." What do you say to Him?
Friday, October 29, 2010
You Can't Take It With You.
Ecclesiastes 1:3; 2:18-26; 4:4-8; 5:18
"What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?" The teacher is disappointed to not find purpose in any of the work that he completes. In chapter 2, he laments that he has to leave everything to his descendants, but he doesn't know whether they will be wise or foolish. Toiling days, restless nights, but you still can't take it with you.
In chapter 4, the Teacher suggests that work and achievements come from our envying of others. He describes the woe of one who works, who sacrifices tranquility and contentment, but cannot find satisfaction.
He sums up this idea of the meaning of work in chapter 5: "Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot." I have to admit that these are not the most hopeful passages in the Bible nor are they the easiest to make sense of. Part of the issue is why are you working. Are you working because you enjoy what you do? Are you working to provide for your family? Or are you working to accumulate? In the first two instances, I think the Bible is clear that this is a good think. "It is good and proper for a man to ...find satisfaction in his toilsome labor." As a professor, I tell people that I get paid to do what I enjoy doing. That's a good thing, according to Ecclesiastes. Are you working to provide for family? That's a good thing, too, according to other places in the Bible as well as this passage. The teacher's condemnation of the man working in chapter 4 was that he had no family--he was alone and working to accumulate. That's the danger, working to accumulate stuff that you cannot enjoy. It's not that the stuff accumulated is bad (5:19-20). It's the attitude and endless hours spent doing something other than honoring God.
Think about why you are working. Is it to provide food and shelter/clothing for your family? Or is it to pay off the house or car that you couldn't really afford but had to have? Think about your priorities and then consider what you really gain from your "toil under the sun."
"What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?" The teacher is disappointed to not find purpose in any of the work that he completes. In chapter 2, he laments that he has to leave everything to his descendants, but he doesn't know whether they will be wise or foolish. Toiling days, restless nights, but you still can't take it with you.
In chapter 4, the Teacher suggests that work and achievements come from our envying of others. He describes the woe of one who works, who sacrifices tranquility and contentment, but cannot find satisfaction.
He sums up this idea of the meaning of work in chapter 5: "Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot." I have to admit that these are not the most hopeful passages in the Bible nor are they the easiest to make sense of. Part of the issue is why are you working. Are you working because you enjoy what you do? Are you working to provide for your family? Or are you working to accumulate? In the first two instances, I think the Bible is clear that this is a good think. "It is good and proper for a man to ...find satisfaction in his toilsome labor." As a professor, I tell people that I get paid to do what I enjoy doing. That's a good thing, according to Ecclesiastes. Are you working to provide for family? That's a good thing, too, according to other places in the Bible as well as this passage. The teacher's condemnation of the man working in chapter 4 was that he had no family--he was alone and working to accumulate. That's the danger, working to accumulate stuff that you cannot enjoy. It's not that the stuff accumulated is bad (5:19-20). It's the attitude and endless hours spent doing something other than honoring God.
Think about why you are working. Is it to provide food and shelter/clothing for your family? Or is it to pay off the house or car that you couldn't really afford but had to have? Think about your priorities and then consider what you really gain from your "toil under the sun."
Friday, August 20, 2010
Do Not Boast about Tomorrow
James 4:13-16
I am a big fan of day planners and to do lists. Anyone who knows me knows that I like to have a plan before I do anything. My dayplanner is divided into an elaborate, color-coded system of plans for the year, for the month, for the week, and for the day. In some ways, this passage in James 4 is one of the hardest passages in the whole Bible for me.
James is specifically talking to merchants here, but I think the principle applies to almost every profession. How often do we make plans based on our desires and goals without considering God? I heard a preacher one time take this a step further. He said that we make our own plans and then "apply the gravy of God's will." What he meant was we made up our mind what we wanted to do and then looked for reasons why our plan was God's plan. James is strictly condemning that.
I'm not going to abandon my dayplanner. And I don't think that's even the point. The point of this passage is what priorities underlie the goals and schedules that you make. Think about that. What is driving you as you set goals and fill schedules? Is it ambition? Is it a quest for more stuff or for more influence? Or are you driven by God? Are you making goals based on a relentless desire to worship your Lord? Actually, the scary thing is that you ARE driven by a relentless desire to worship your lord, whether it is God or anything else. These passages emphasize that the "things" that we might be pursuing are very temporary, here today and gone tomorrow. That goes for increased influence or prestige, a bigger home, a fancier title. None of it will last. James is encouraging his readers to plan based on eternity, to plan based on God's plans.
I am a big fan of day planners and to do lists. Anyone who knows me knows that I like to have a plan before I do anything. My dayplanner is divided into an elaborate, color-coded system of plans for the year, for the month, for the week, and for the day. In some ways, this passage in James 4 is one of the hardest passages in the whole Bible for me.
James is specifically talking to merchants here, but I think the principle applies to almost every profession. How often do we make plans based on our desires and goals without considering God? I heard a preacher one time take this a step further. He said that we make our own plans and then "apply the gravy of God's will." What he meant was we made up our mind what we wanted to do and then looked for reasons why our plan was God's plan. James is strictly condemning that.
I'm not going to abandon my dayplanner. And I don't think that's even the point. The point of this passage is what priorities underlie the goals and schedules that you make. Think about that. What is driving you as you set goals and fill schedules? Is it ambition? Is it a quest for more stuff or for more influence? Or are you driven by God? Are you making goals based on a relentless desire to worship your Lord? Actually, the scary thing is that you ARE driven by a relentless desire to worship your lord, whether it is God or anything else. These passages emphasize that the "things" that we might be pursuing are very temporary, here today and gone tomorrow. That goes for increased influence or prestige, a bigger home, a fancier title. None of it will last. James is encouraging his readers to plan based on eternity, to plan based on God's plans.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Work or Eat
2 Thessalonians 3:6-12
One of the Thessalonians' struggles was the temptation to stop work and do nothing while waiting for Jesus to come back. Paul warns against this, instructing them to stay away from idleness. The high point of the passage is verse 10: "If someone will not work, that person shall not eat." The application seems clear: work.
One reason to work is so that you are not a burden to others. Paul echoes his first letter to the Thessalonians almost verbatim as he describes his example of working in verse 8 "so that we would not be a burden to you." Of course, Paul is not talking about those who are unable to work, either because of lack of ability or lack of jobs available. Paul seems to refer to those who choose not to work, the "busybodies" in verse 11. Quite simply, if you are able, you should be trying to work.
One of the Thessalonians' struggles was the temptation to stop work and do nothing while waiting for Jesus to come back. Paul warns against this, instructing them to stay away from idleness. The high point of the passage is verse 10: "If someone will not work, that person shall not eat." The application seems clear: work.
One reason to work is so that you are not a burden to others. Paul echoes his first letter to the Thessalonians almost verbatim as he describes his example of working in verse 8 "so that we would not be a burden to you." Of course, Paul is not talking about those who are unable to work, either because of lack of ability or lack of jobs available. Paul seems to refer to those who choose not to work, the "busybodies" in verse 11. Quite simply, if you are able, you should be trying to work.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Ambition
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
In my own career, I have to admit to the temptation to want the headline accomplishments, the temptation to want everyone in my field to know my name, to respect me, to look up to me. I think it's very natural to want to be known as the best at what we do. And along with that, I think there may be a natural tendency to admire those who are in the limelight, particularly those with similar vocations to our own. But listen to what Paul says about ambition: “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands…so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” How many times have you made it your ambition to lead a quiet life, a life out of the spotlight? How many times have you striven to mind your own business? Does this praise manual labor above white collar jobs where you're less likely to "work with your hands?" I don't have an answer for that last question, particularly in our age when more and more jobs are not working with your hands. But I think the point may be in the "so" at the end. "So that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." Lead a quiet life and mind your own business so that nonchristians will respect you. Take care of your own job and work with your hands so that you won't be a burden on anyone. Again, I think this is stressing the importance of work above idleness. I think the take away is to work in such a way that others respect you. Not the showy respect that comes with fame, but the respect that comes when coworkers see you doing what you're supposed to be doing, day in and day out.
In my own career, I have to admit to the temptation to want the headline accomplishments, the temptation to want everyone in my field to know my name, to respect me, to look up to me. I think it's very natural to want to be known as the best at what we do. And along with that, I think there may be a natural tendency to admire those who are in the limelight, particularly those with similar vocations to our own. But listen to what Paul says about ambition: “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands…so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” How many times have you made it your ambition to lead a quiet life, a life out of the spotlight? How many times have you striven to mind your own business? Does this praise manual labor above white collar jobs where you're less likely to "work with your hands?" I don't have an answer for that last question, particularly in our age when more and more jobs are not working with your hands. But I think the point may be in the "so" at the end. "So that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." Lead a quiet life and mind your own business so that nonchristians will respect you. Take care of your own job and work with your hands so that you won't be a burden on anyone. Again, I think this is stressing the importance of work above idleness. I think the take away is to work in such a way that others respect you. Not the showy respect that comes with fame, but the respect that comes when coworkers see you doing what you're supposed to be doing, day in and day out.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Painful Toil and Working the Ground
Genesis 3:17-18
Genesis 3:23
As part of the punishment for Adam eating the fruit, God commands Adam to painful toil.
“By the sweat of your brow, you will eat…until you return to the ground.” There's no mention of retiring at 65, interestingly enough. This is in contrast to the first time God told Adam to work, where that work was for meaning or as a hobby. Now work is for survival. It's supposed to be hard ("sweat of your brow"). And the idea of being banished to "work the ground" implies that it won't be pleasant. It is very interesting that there are two different views of work--one pre-Sin and one post-Sin. Work seems to have been meant as a natural part of life, fulfilling part of our function on earth. Sin corrupted work, made it necessary for survival, made it hard and unpleasant.
Genesis 3:23
As part of the punishment for Adam eating the fruit, God commands Adam to painful toil.
“By the sweat of your brow, you will eat…until you return to the ground.” There's no mention of retiring at 65, interestingly enough. This is in contrast to the first time God told Adam to work, where that work was for meaning or as a hobby. Now work is for survival. It's supposed to be hard ("sweat of your brow"). And the idea of being banished to "work the ground" implies that it won't be pleasant. It is very interesting that there are two different views of work--one pre-Sin and one post-Sin. Work seems to have been meant as a natural part of life, fulfilling part of our function on earth. Sin corrupted work, made it necessary for survival, made it hard and unpleasant.
God put Adam to work (the first time)
Genesis 2:15
God put Adam in the garden "to work it." So one of Adam's purposes in life was to work the Garden. I think this is interesting in light of how we think of "work" today. Was this to be Adam's hobby? Obviously, there's no mention of a time clock here. I think there's an interesting contrast between work here and then after The Fall. This is something I want to explore more fully after going through other passages.
God put Adam in the garden "to work it." So one of Adam's purposes in life was to work the Garden. I think this is interesting in light of how we think of "work" today. Was this to be Adam's hobby? Obviously, there's no mention of a time clock here. I think there's an interesting contrast between work here and then after The Fall. This is something I want to explore more fully after going through other passages.
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