Finding Financial Balance: WorkingUzorak

THE HEART OF THE MATTER

As we come to view our work as worship, we begin to understand that although we work for human bosses, God is our greater authority in all that we do. We work to honor Him.

In general, our commitment to God will bring about excellent work results as we lean into our giftings and perform our duties with integrity, humility, and diligence. This will fit in well with the flow of business. The difference in our allegiance will be felt when our motivations and convictions emerge as unique from non-believers. Sometimes we’ll have to hold boundaries or disappoint a human expectation in order to remain true to our heavenly "Boss."

For example, worshipping God through our work means we honor His labor practices. When God led His people out of bondage in Egypt, he established clear guidelines for how they were to live. He instructed them to work for six days and then take a Sabbath. The Sabbath accomplished a couple of things: it gave the people time to rest, but it also reminded them that everything they had ultimately came from Him. Their success required that they participate, but it also prompted them to acknowledge God as their true provider. Not another authority. Not themselves. The same is true today.

Aligning our work with God’s purposes and plans will bring about a healthy work-life balance. Call to mind Jesus’ instruction to take His yoke and learn from Him. He was referring to an agricultural practice of joining two draft animals (especially oxen) with a crosspiece. As the animals continued to work in unison, they shared the burden and were able to accomplish more. Consider that. Keeping pace, working in unison with Jesus, and sharing the load with the God of the universe. No need to hurry or worry, living and working just as we were created to. There is no better place to be.

Ask Yourself:

— How difficult do you find it to serve God in your job while working under a human boss?

— How often do your motivations or convictions differ from that of others on your team?

— How can you reflect those differences respectfully?

Pause to Pray: Use Psalm 24 to lead you into prayer today.

Take a Next Step:

Take a few minutes to consider how effectively you are aligning your work practices with God’s purposes. Are there any areas that you are tempted to rush ahead or lag behind? Are there any areas that feel out of balance? Spend some time praying through these things, taking up His yoke, and learning from Him.

Find more resources at www.whoisgrace.com/READ.