We are living in a time when hard work is often hard to come by and stick-to-itiveness regarding certain tasks is in short supply. Many employees are found glued to their phones rather than helping customers. Many employers have to make certain concessions just to fill needed positions. The entitlement mentality permeating our nation has made it hard for businesses to find good workers and for customers to receive reliable, timely and courteous service.
So, how is today’s Christian to function in the workplace? Should the Christian be like all the other workers, or should the Christian stand out from the rest? Should the environment affect the Christian or should the Christian affect the environment? The work ethic of a Christian must stand in stark contrast to the trending ethic of our day.
God expects Christians to work. “Let him labor, working with his hands what is good” (Eph. 4:28). “Work with your own hands, as we commanded you” (1 Thess. 4:11). “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat” (2 Thess. 3:10). The words for “labor” and “work” cannot be defined as merely “having a job” or as “going to work.” The words themselves demand actual work, labor, toil.
God expects Christians to work hard. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (Ecc. 9:10). In the context of a Christian’s responsibility in the workplace, God commanded, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men…for you serve the Lord” (Col. 3:23-24). God calls upon His children to give it their all at work.
God expects Christians to set the standard for others in the workplace. Even if others deride the boss or find ways to “get around” doing the actual work, Christians must do what is right. We must “be obedient” to our bosses “with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men” (Eph. 6:5-7). In the workplace, our work must done as if we were doing it unto Christ, for ultimately, we please (and serve) Christ.
Christians are to represent Christ, even at work. What if Jesus had your job? What if Jesus were to go into work for you tomorrow? How serious would He take it? How hard would He work? How would He respond to tasks from the boss? Would you envision Jesus lazily watching the clock and reading through His social media, or do you see Him giving His all to the work? My work ethic should emulate what the work ethic of Jesus would be, for I belong to Him and represent Him!
What kind of work ethic do you have?