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Be a Christian in the workplace
Most of you spend a large part of your week at work. We are not part-time Christians, but that means your Christianity must influence your work. What is the 'smell' you leave behind at work, is it the 'fragrance of Christ' or the 'stink of the world'? The fruit of the Spirit must also be seen in your workplace "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" Galatians 5:22-23
Let's look at practical ways to spread the 'fragrance of
Christ' in the workplace:
1. Always be on time
Punctuality shows that you respect your employer. That's why you should always be on time for work. 1 Timothy 6:1 says "Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honour, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled." While others may be late, a Christian should always arrive at work on time.
At the same time, you must not
make your work an idol, and therefore you should also leave on time. Many
employers expect more than their pound of meat and this requires extra hours, or
maybe you want to work extra hours to leave a good impression, or maybe you
bring work home. The believer must learn to manage his time well and to leave
work at work within working hours, otherwise your family life, quiet time, and
health suffer. In your working hours, be fully engaged in your work and leave
your work there, do not make your work an idol. Your working hours are set out
in your contract and you and your employer should stick to them.
2. Work as for the Lord
After Paul encouraged the congregation to always seek the common good of all, he teaches us something that can transform your work situation: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. " The workplace can be a frustrating place with a lot of pressure, difficult people and unforgiving bosses, but the believer must constantly strive to radiate a positive attitude. Rejoice, pray without ceasing, be grateful, these three principles should help you not to be negative like others even in times of crisis or exceptional pressure. Focus on living a 'fragrance of Christ' by giving your best and leaving the results in the Lord's hands.
We often forget that we must do
everything as unto the Lord, including our work. The Lord is your Chief Manager
at work, you work for Him. This demands that you will always give your very
best. Proverbs 16:3 says "Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans
will be established." One who works for God is not overwhelmed by fear,
has nothing to hide, and is not trying to prove anything to anyone. Someone who
works for the Lord spends all his energy to produce good work as if for the
Lord. He is honest and works with integrity because he wants to honor God. Listen
to what Ephesians 6:5-8 says "Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with
fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the
way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing
the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to
the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he
will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.”
3. Work as a Christian
Is your work ethic and diligence a testimony that you are a believer? Your workplace is the place where you spend most of your time among non-believers during the week and it is precisely here that people should be able to see the difference in how you work and what you stand for and do not stand for.
If you act as unbelievers act, it
does not bear witness to your faith. You must do your best and stand up for
what is right and resist what is wrong. You should even be willing to report
serious misconduct of others even if it comes at a cost. You cannot stop being
a Christian because others around you are not Christians, that is precisely
when your light should shine. Remember Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you
do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks
to God the Father through him."
4. Believe that the Lord is truly sovereign
We can be so easily overwhelmed
under pressure or when circumstances suddenly change without warning. Then we
can easily complain and grumble or become anxious because we don't know what will
happen next, or because we don't know if we will be able to handle the
pressure. Otherwise, the pressure can make us very irritable and we are abrupt
and difficult. What we must remember is that the Lord is still sovereign, even
in our workplace. A negative attitude, an anxious approach, a dissatisfaction
with circumstances shows that you have forgotten who is really in control. Be
focused, work hard, give your best and trust that the Lord will guide the
situation as it should be.
5. Pray for your co-workers
Most of your co-workers are probably unbelievers, so what should your approach be to them? Jesus teaches us in Matthew 5:43-45 "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." Do you pray for your co-workers? Are you shining a light to them through your actions?
Your co-workers are going through
difficult circumstances, at work and at home, are you there to encourage them
and pray for them? What is your attitude towards those who live in sin, look at
life differently, and are sometimes difficult to you? Here at work you are on a
mission field and your attitude towards them should be loving, without
condoning wrong behaviour. Your work people should be a regular part of your
prayer list.
6. Witness at work
In most cases these days it is unacceptable
to speak about your faith in the workplace, but Peter teaches us how we can
create such an opportunity: 1 Peter 3:15 "But in your hearts honour Christ
the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks
you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and
respect.” If you do good work and your life is a good testimony in the
workplace, people may notice your difference and this then creates an
opportunity for you to testify to the hope that is in you. Your testimony
should not only be words, but your attitude and your way of working should tell
something about your Christianity. Some workplaces and circumstances in the
workplace allow you to testify freely and then you should seize such an
opportunity.
7. Don't go before you go
Your working conditions and
workplace may not be ideal for a believer, but this is the place where you find
yourself at the moment and therefore you must still maintain your Christian
witness. In the time we live in, few workplaces are ideal for believers and we
must realize that most people think and act differently than we do. It may be
that you are looking for another job, or maybe you already have another job. However,
as long as you work for the company you work for, you have to give your very
best. Your attitude towards your employer must always show gratitude and
respect because God takes care of you through your employer, who is thus a
servant of God for your benefit. Even after you leave that company, you must
always refer to them with respect and honour, while not being blind to their
wrong behaviour. Remember the words of Philippians 2:3-4 in your attitude
towards your employer "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in
humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you
look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
To work is a necessity. For most of us, this is the way the
Lord provides for our daily needs (and so much more). In the workplace we are
surrounded by unbelievers who do and do things differently than us. We work for
managers who may place unrealistic expectations on us. Let's not forget that
our real 'boss' is not your manager at work, but the Lord in heaven. Therefore
always do your best and always behave as befits a believer. Trust the Lord in
everything and then He will support you and help you achieve what is right in
your workplace. Be a 'fragrance of Christ' and He will honor you for your
faithful service to Him.
ds. Leon Harmse
Pastor of Sunward Park Baptist Church.