Finding Financial Balance: WorkingНамуна

THE PLACE WHERE YOU ARE

It has become common in Western culture to compartmentalize our lives, especially when it comes to expressions of religious faith. We tend to talk about Jesus and demonstrate our values openly at Church, but then operate incognito in other settings, particularly those in the public eye. But that is not how we are called to live. Christian disciples are followers of Jesus at home, at school, at the grocery store, and, yes, at work too. We are called to follow His lead in whatever place we are.

John the Baptist illustrated this concept when he challenged those seeking baptism to produce fruit in keeping with repentance — to demonstrate life changes that reflected heart changes inspired by the forgiveness of sins. In Luke 3:10-14, he spelled out practical ways that different believers might do that. Notice that he didn’t suggest that they leave their jobs and professions. Instead, he described their hearts of worship as being reflected in how they interacted with people as they did their work, right where they were.

The Apostle Paul gives us a different example of work and faith uniting for God’s glory. Paul was from Tarsus, a place known for its textile industry, including tentmaking. He worked in that trade long before he met Jesus. Although his encounter with Jesus literally changed the trajectory of his life, sending him on a journey of evangelism and church building for the rest of his days, he continued in his trade of tentmaking. His manual work provided ongoing resources for living (paycheck), but because he was living his faith holistically, it opened up opportunities for sharing the gospel and training others to do so too. Through living and working with Aquila and Priscilla, Paul found strategic partners for church planting in Corinth and later in Ephesus. Paul didn’t abandon his trade as he followed Jesus. Instead, his trade became a resource and mission field that Jesus was able to use powerfully.

Ask Yourself:

— Are there any ways that you compartmentalize your life? If so, why do you think you do that?

— How could you begin to allow your faith to inform interactions in all areas of your life?

— Why do you think God has positioned you in your current place of work?

— How is your faith in Jesus reflected in the way you do that job in that place?

Pause to Pray: Jesus, thank you for enduring the cross to bear the consequences of my sin. Let the truth of your all-encompassing love for me be reflected in all that I do today. Reveal to me any ways that I do not honor you wholeheartedly — and help me to change. Amen.

Take a Next Step:

Take one step to de-compartmentalize your life this week. Maybe invite a co-worker to a social outing or initiate a faith conversation with a friend. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the obvious and the creative ways you could do this.