Colossians 3:22-4:1
Spirituality in the Workplace
by Gary DeLashmutt
Teaching t08938
Introduction
Reiterate the dynamic of transformed lives (CIRCLES). How does knowing
Christ impact the way we relate to what for most of us is the biggest
single allocation of our waking hours—our jobs?
There is clearly a need for change in this area. Many Americans have
real trouble relating properly to their jobs!
Many are WORK-HATERS. They see their jobs as a necessary evil, strictly
as a means to an end (PAYCHECK; "I WORK TO LIVE . . . ;"
LOTTERY WINNERS: "I'LL NEVER WORK AGAIN!"). Therefore, they
suffer from serious motivational, attitudinal and performance problems
on the job. The effects of this problem are now wide-spread,[1] and the whole country is
suffering as a result. This is tragic, since God never designed work
as a curse—he designed it to be a blessing in our lives.
Others are WORKAHOLICS. They see their jobs as the most important part
of their identities. They look to their position and performance in
the workplace to provide the basis for their value and acceptance. As
a result, they often destroy their families, their health—and sometimes
their lives. This is also tragic, because God never designed work to
be the basis for our acceptance and value as people. CAREER is a very
inadequate god.
It is important to understand that both of these problems have the same
cause: the failure to properly integrate our jobs into our overall lives.
If you want to see change in the way you relate to your job, it will usually
take more than changing jobs. Having the right job is important (ADVOCATE
CAREER COUNSELING)—but far more important is knowing how to properly
relate your job to the rest of your life, and particularly to your relationship
with God. Our jobs are not to be our gods, nor are they to be antagonistic
to our life purpose. Rather, they are to be an important arena in which
we relate to and serve Jesus Christ.
This is the dominant theme in Col. 3:22-4:1. Four times in five
verses, Paul describes how we should relate to our jobs in terms connected
to relating to Christ. So this passage supplies us with an important "snap-shot"
of what it looks like to undergo transformation at the work-place . . .
1: Cultivate a Proper Attitude Toward Delegated Authorities (3:22)
Read v. 22. While slavery has thankfully been outlawed, the authority
structure between EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE and MANAGER/DIRECT REPORT remains.
God has established delegated human authority in order to preserve order
in a fallen world (GOVERNMENT; POLICE; JOB). Therefore, responding properly
to delegated authorities is an important part of integrating our jobs
with our relationship with Christ.
Why does Paul need to emphasize this? Because nothing comes more easily
to fallen people than disrespect for authority. What is the favorite
topic of conversation among employees in the break room or at lunch? When
was the last time that you heard employees stick up for their bosses
in this environment? How many of you know/are essentially adversarial
in your relationship with your bosses? How many EDDIE HASKELLS are at
your job?
God isn't looking for BROWN-NOSERS ("not with eye service, as
those who merely please men"). He is seeking to effect a change
in heart attitude toward those are over us at work.
This doesn't mean that we must respect their lifestyles, or blindly
obey, that we never raise questions or make suggestions, or that we
must let them direct our lives outside the work-place. But it does
mean that we are to communicate respect for their position in the
workplace, to be inclined to go along with their instructions, and
be committed to achieving their legitimate work goals.
"But you don't know my boss!" You think you've got it rough
(quote 1 Pet. 2:18)? It is possible for a Christian (who
is clear about who he really works for and depends on God's power)
to express this attitude even toward unreasonable bosses. And this
is often the beginning of reciprocity . . .
Is it legitimate to change jobs if you have a lousy boss? Yes (see
1 Cor. 7:21-23). But if there is a pattern in your life of
conflict with delegated authority (HOME, SCHOOL, JOB), you would be
wise to look at the deeper issue and ask God to help you develop a different
view of his authority in your life.
2: Be Committed to Excellence in Your Work (3:23)
Read vs 23-24b. The language here suggests that our work should
actually be a form of worship to Christ! Since Christ has given us the
privilege of serving him and representing (in part) on the job, we should
be committed to excellence on the job!!! What does this look like?
First of all, we should work hard! We should attack our work with zeal
instead of dawdling over it and figuring out how little we can do and
still get by (CHRISTIANS SABOTAGING ASSEMBLY LINE). We should cultivate
being prompt, self-motivated and industrious. Not only do we owe this
to our employer, we also represent Christ. (Furthermore, this is one
of the keys to enjoying work.)
For another thing, it means that we should pursue quality in our work.
(FAMILY PRINTING BUSINESS RADIO AD: "Since we own the business,
there is a higher commitment to quality"). If this motivates quality
work, how much more should being members of God's family? All work,
when it is done to serve and represent Christ, is important. We should
be developing reputations for being conscientious and thorough in our
work.
Finally, it means that our ethical conduct should be high. Lying, theft,
sexual harassment, etc. may be commonplace in the secular workplace,
but they are obviously incompatible with serving and representing Christ.
Sometimes this will result in mistreatment from other workers, because
it exposes their poor behavior. Sometimes this will involve the vulnerability
to confess and apologize when you compromise your ethical standards.
3: Be Committed to Excellence in Your Treatment of People (4:1)
As we all know, the workplace can be a very impersonal and cruel environment.
Sometimes, the people who work the hardest crush the people around them
because they view them as simply means to an end (JOB COMPLETION; PROMOTION;
HIGHER PROFIT; NEW CONTRACT). But if we are serving and representing
Christ, we need to work at projecting his attitude toward people.
Read 4:1. Exercise your authority with justice and fairness, instead
of using it to intimidate, show partiality, etc. This is an application
of a larger principle in the Bible > USE YOUR AUTHORITY TO SERVE (RUSH
CHART[2]).
Read Titus 3:1-5. God never viewed us as NUMBERS to use, or as COMPETITORS
to eliminate. He was intensely interested in us as people, and he loved
us enough to pour out his love and mercy through Christ. Jesus never
"ran over people" to get the job done. This should motivate
us to view people at work in the same light and treat them in the same
way. PEOPLE MATTER!
We ought to be known as those who take the time to express genuine
interests in the lives of our fellow-workers (FAMILY, INTERESTS, GOALS,
DREAMS, PROBLEMS). This opens doors to sharing naturally about our
own lives, including our faith in Christ . . . NEXT WEEK.
4: Remember the Rewards of Transformed Work (3:24-25)
Because God has designed us to live in a certain way, it matters whether
we choose to do so or not. This is just as true in the workplace as it
is in other areas. Failure to pursue 1-3 will bring negative consequences
(v. 25)—firing, dissatisfaction, etc. But working as per 1-3
brings tremendous reward (v. 24)! This is a valid and important
source of motivation for us as Christians.
Research indicates that the number one thing that employees want on the
job is not salary increase or promotion, but recognition for work well
done. In the next life, Christ will reward us for every aspect of the
way we represented and served him on the job. The full implications of
this in others' lives will be recognized and rewarded in full.
But there are substantial rewards to be gained in this life as well.
Consider these:
Satisfaction of Accomplishment—When God completed his work of
creation, did he say "I hated that and I'm glad I'll never have
to do it again?" No, he said "Wow! This was very good!" There
was a tremendous sense of fulfillment from conceiving a work project
and carrying it through to completion. Rest and recreation which follow
task completion are much more enjoyable than leisure for its own sake.
Since we are made in God's image, we can experience this same blessing. Since
the world is fallen, every job will have its problems. But there still
our jobs can provide us with a regular opportunities for this.
Confidence from Competence—One of the benefits of successfully
responding to the challenges of work (new tasks especially) is confidence
that you are a competent individual. This aspect of self-esteem definitely
spills over into other areas of your life as well.
Character Development—It is obvious to me that God worked through
my work experience (at home and then at jobs) to develop important character
qualities in me even before I came to Christ. The ability to enjoy hard
work and to persevere through a difficult assignment are things that
I learned through work, and they have contributed greatly to my effectiveness
in ministry.
"When you get bogged down on a frustrating assignment, do you
give up or do you see it as a chance to grow in perseverance? When
tempted by an unethical practice, do you yield to it or do you see
it as a chance to grow in honesty? When you hear a friend being slandered,
do you give silent assent, or do you stand up for your friend and
practice loyalty? When you become irritated by a co-worker's idiosyncrasies,
do you criticize and belittle him, or do you commit yourself to learning
greater tolerance? When you're asked to stretch in an area of weakness,
do you let fear stop you, or do you decide to muster courage and proceed?"[3]
Conclusion
In the last analysis, your work experience is what you make it . . .
Footnotes
[1] A recent Harris poll revealed
that 63% of American workers believed that people don't work as hard as
they did ten years ago: 78% said people are taking less pride in their
work; 69% thought workmanship is inferior; and 73% believed workers are
less motivated. From Charles Colson and Jack Eckerd, "Why Has Hard
Work Fallen on Hard Times?" Christianity Today, February 10,
1992, p. 35.
[2] Myron Rush, "Biblical
Principles Applied to Management," in Biblical Principles and
Business: The Practice, Richard C. Chewning, ed. (Colorado Springs:
Navpress, 1990), p. 55.
[3] Bill Hybels, Honest To God? (Grand
Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1990), p. 146.
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