Not another post about Christians in the workplace…

I’m serious about following Christ and I fully believe that fact should affect how I work and those I work with. So why do we sometimes find it a struggle to live it out in the workplace? To be completely honest about it, in my previous jobs the fact that I was a Christian probably hasn’t made much of a difference. Well I’ve recently started a new job and it’s got me thinking. What can I do differently this time to demonstrate and put into practice what I really believe? In Tim Chester and Steve Timmis’ book ‘Total Church’ they talk about living life with “gospel intentionality”. It has really hit home with me. Work is where I spend most of the day; nowhere else am I going to meet so many different people and have such a chance to be a Godly witness. How do I work with “gospel intentionality”?

One of the best examples of how we should live in the workplace has to be that of Daniel. Daniel 6:3-4 says “Now Daniel so distinguished himself…by his exceptional qualities…They could find no corruption in him because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.” Daniel stood out by holding firm to his beliefs regardless of circumstances and situations and it resulted in blessing him and those he worked for. 

I’ve started this job holding that in front of me. So what’ll I do differently? How’s this for a start?

Trust in God only.
Trust in no one but God. God created you. Let His peace abide in you. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Worship God only.
Don’t make your career, your company, or your boss a god. (Exodus 20:5)

Use God’s name reverently.
Basically watch your language or you’ll end up looking like a hypocrite. (Matthew 15:17-19)

Work six days and rest on the seventh.
By resting one day a week, you can avoid burnout. (Genesis 3:17-19) But in the same breath don’t shirk off! You’re there to work so do it! Facebook may be a necessity in life but spending more time updating your status than actually doing what you’re paid for isn’t exactly a positive witness.

Respect and obey your boss.
You should respect and obey your boss, as long as you’re not being asked to do anything illegal! (Ephesians 6:5-8)

Protect and respect others.
Emotional, mental, spiritual, physical manipulation, abuse and violence have no place in the workplace…or any place for that matter. Don’t do it and stand up for others who are facing it. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2)

Be true to your spouse.
Company romances! They are very real, very tempting and very common. They’re also very wrong and very destructive. Don’t be get dragged into acting like ‘one of the boys’. ‘The boys’ need to grow up and start acting like men! (Matthew 19:8-9)

Don’t steal stuff!
And I’m not just talking about paperclips and post-it notes. If your being lazy, arriving late, taking an extra 30 minutes for lunch, taking a dozen smoke breaks a day (even though you don’t actually smoke!) and clock out early then your stealing time that you are being paid to work. It may sound OTT but believe me, you’re being watched…and I don’t just mean by the Big Boss in the sky either! (2 Corinthians 7:1-2)

Don’t get involved in office gossip.
Someone’s going to get hurt. You wouldn’t like it if they were gossiping about you would you? So just don’t do it! (2 Peter 2:10-13)

Be the best that you can.
If Christians actually lived like we’re supposed to in the workplace then I honestly believe that employers would be jumping at the chance to employ Christians. It’ll not only bless your employer but you’ll actually get more out of your job too!

If you can live out the values above and keep the mentality of “gospel intentionality” in mind then we can truly see Christians transform their workplaces! Lord let me see it in mine! 

And don’t forget to be prepared for anything! On my first day I ended up being asked to pray for the office manager! She’s not a Christian but knows I am and some of the others are; she had a really sore neck and one of my colleagues asked her if we could pray for her. She responded straight away with a ‘please, I’d appreciate that’. Never been asked to lay hands on someone and pray for them on my first day before! What’s going to happen next…

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