Biblical Business Leadership: STRESSНамуна

6. Financial & Performance Stress at Work.

In the last readings, we looked at the various types of stress that may come from the organization within which we work.

More commonly, however, we may relate stress at work to the stress associated with deadlines, budgets, and profit goals. And, for many of us, it’s the numbers that tell the story, isn’t it? Numbers that define our compensation, our next job or whether we can even stay. 

No wonder stress rises as deadlines tighten or profit expectations increase. 

But all this focus on time & money – what does the Bible say about that?

First, this timeless truth from the book of Ecclesiastes:

Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.  – Ecclesiastes 5:10

This is still so true today, isn’t it? No matter what our pay, something inside of us always wants more. So we might stress a little more and work a little harder…

But look at what happens then. You’ve probably seen this in others yourself: a good Christian man or woman is driven to achieve more & more, with the result of drifting away from their faith, and perhaps even their family. 

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  – 1 Timothy 6:10

What started out as good intentions ended badly.

Jesus puts it to us even more bluntly:

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.  – Matthew 6:24

Is Jesus saying that we should all go off and do missions and forget the financials at the office?

No, not quite. 

Jesus is saying that we can love only one or the other: God or money; not both. The Apostle Paul clarifies how we as Christians might work out the right balance in his letter to the Colossians:

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.  – Colossians 3:23-24

Paul is saying, don’t ignore the numbers but keep perspective on who we really work for and what our real reward is.

Company financials, project completions and customer deliverables are all important. And, in our leadership roles, we have the responsibility to help our company achieve these.

Can that be stressful? You bet!

However, as a Christian in a leadership position at work, we aim to achieve these financial and performance goals as our way to serve God. 

And, in doing so, we remember that our real reward awaits us in heaven; not anything that our company can give us.

That stress you had is melting away already….

Reflection / Application

1. Do you have a goal for what your income should one day be? Do you think reaching that goal will bring satisfaction? Why or why not?

2. Do you know one or more people who have wandered away from their faith or family because of work? How did that happen? Could that happen to you? Why or why not?

3. Jesus says we cannot serve both God and money. Paul says that we should work our best, as if working for the Lord. How do these two verses complement each other, and how does that play out in your working life? What does it mean for how you manage financial and performance stress at work?