Practical Applications for the Workplace
Redeeming Work
As Christians, our workplace is not only physical, but is also spiritual. By working, we are engaged in kingdom work. This does not mean that I don’t need a job that pays me. This does not mean that I neglect my job. This does not mean that my job is my megaphone for my pet peeves or sacred cows.
On the other hand, this does mean that my job is my spiritual garden to plant and sow spiritual seeds. My place of work is my ministry through relationships. Finally, my workplace is my ministry through excellence.
Who did this well?
Consider Noah as he built the Ark in the face of opposition. Consider Paul, the tentmaker (trade) and church-planter (mission). Both redeemed their work for God’s mission. Both lives were invested in the gospel i.e., kingdom work.
Thus, as Christians, we are redeemers through the gospel in every aspect of work. How might this play out today? A dear friend of mine provides some insight here. In essence, he says that when we realize the priority of the “why” in the “how” of the “what” that we do, we can truly live a life in the workplace that redeems each moment for God.
- “What” is least important. This is your gifts, abilities, temperament, and skill set, “…whatever you do…” Colossians 3:23.
- “How” is very important. This aspect provides opportunity for testimony, “…let your good deeds testify…” Matthew 5:16.
- “Why” is imperative. This is to glorify God, “…the Lord weighs the motives” Proverbs16:2, 21:2.
“To be excellent is to be authentic and transparent, since true excellence lies in the treasure we contain, not the talents we display. An obsessive, compulsive striving after self-fulfillment or human acclaim cannot produce excellence. Only a passionate longing to glorify God and to realize His goals is consistent with the biblical concept of excellence.” -Robert Foster
Case Studies
- Teachers’ lounge
- Scenario: You are a teacher, and you walk up into the teacher’s lounge, and you see your team (people you work with daily) sitting together enjoying a good conversation. You notice they are laughing a little, and as you sit down, they start to lean in and get quiet. They continue their conversation about your other teammate, and you immediately sense that it is negative. They ask you to share your thoughts about this individual…
- Questions:
- How would you start the conversation?
- How would you apply the gospel in this situation?
- How would you finish the conversation?
- Questions:
- Scenario: You are a teacher, and you walk up into the teacher’s lounge, and you see your team (people you work with daily) sitting together enjoying a good conversation. You notice they are laughing a little, and as you sit down, they start to lean in and get quiet. They continue their conversation about your other teammate, and you immediately sense that it is negative. They ask you to share your thoughts about this individual…
- Supervisor’s office
- Scenario: You work in a local business that you landed because of a personal relationship with the owner. He calls you into his office with a chuckle. He’s facing his computer and motions you over to look at his screen. It’s soft porn. He looks up at you with a smile and chuckle.
- Questions:
- How would you start the conversation?
- How would you apply the gospel in this situation?
- How would you finish the conversation?
- Questions:
- Scenario: You work in a local business that you landed because of a personal relationship with the owner. He calls you into his office with a chuckle. He’s facing his computer and motions you over to look at his screen. It’s soft porn. He looks up at you with a smile and chuckle.
- Construction Site
- Scenario: You are an electrician and the contractor just told you that to meet budget, you must use material not up-to-code. This job is the first with this contractor, and he’s already verbally committed to using you in all his upcoming residential work. COVID hit you hard, and you need this work to make ends meet.
- Questions:
- How would you start the conversation?
- How would you apply the gospel in this situation?
- How would you finish the conversation?
- Questions:
- Scenario: You are an electrician and the contractor just told you that to meet budget, you must use material not up-to-code. This job is the first with this contractor, and he’s already verbally committed to using you in all his upcoming residential work. COVID hit you hard, and you need this work to make ends meet.
Key Points for Case Studies:
- Decisions must be made upon principles founding upon the Scripture.
- If not, then you will only be reacting in the heat of the moment.
- What’s at stake? Not only your witness, but the testimony of Jesus Christ.