How to be a Christian at Your Work – Part 1 of 2Smakprov

Today, we come to the letter “E” in our 5-letter guide to just be “NICER” as a way to live out our faith at work.

To be “Excellent in work” is perhaps the most obvious way to be a Christian at work.  

In chapter 3 of Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he explains clearly what God expects of us at work:

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (NIV, v.23-24)

Or, maybe the Message translation says it more clearly for you:

Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ.

If there is any topic that your pastor might preach on related to your workplace behavior, it would probably be this one. 

It’s clear that we need to do our very best at work, each and every day, regardless of our job or position. No job is too low or too high to escape this instruction!

For some of us, giving our best comes easy. We like our jobs, we’re good at what we do and it’s just all around enjoyable. 

For others, work is drudgery. We don’t like what we do, we’re not good at it and the pay is lousy too. Doing our best seems almost impossible.

Regardless of our work situation, the instruction in the Bible remains the same – we must do our best, as if we were working for Jesus himself. 

Remember that it is God who places us in different jobs at different times – each for a reason. Sometimes, it is to shape our character. Other times, it may be to build our faith, develop our talents or gain experience for a future assignment. All of it working together for our good, just as it says in Romans 8:28.

But beware the fine print! 

If we cannot be trusted to do well in the small or difficult assignments, we may never find opportunity to move ahead to a bigger or more rewarding assignment. Check Luke 16:10 on that.

Excellence at work isn’t only for high performers – it’s our everyday instruction from God himself. 

The slogan “Do your best and let Jesus do the rest” may be exactly what you need to hear today.

PRAYER

Lord, I long to do my best for you. I know that my true reward lies in heaven and that I am here as your representative, no matter where I find myself. Grant that I may do good work in every situation that I find myself, to your glory. Amen.

QUESTIONS

On a scale of 0-10, how “excellent” is your work effort?

Can you see giving glory to God by doing your best at your work? How does that look for you?

If there is anything to improve your excellence at work, what would it be?