God's Formula for Job Success
God wants Christians to
prosper both spiritually and materially - He wants us to enjoy life!
Jesus Christ Himself said, "I have come that they may have life, and
that they may have it more abundantly " (John 10:10).
"I
pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health," God inspired
the apostle John to write (III John 1:2) But in order to experience the
abundant life, we must be practicing the way of life that produces it.
This includes keeping God's commandments and following the principles
of Christian living and working that God reveals in His Word.
Let's
look into the Bible to learn what kind of attitude and approach God
wants His people to have toward work Let's study God's formula for job
success!
1. When God put Adam in the Garden of Eden,
did He put him to work'? Genesis 2:15. What was to be the continuing
task of the human race? Genesis 1:26-28.
In
the first two chapters
of Genesis, God reveals Himself as a
creator........ a worker. Within six days His creative work unfolded.
And when He created the first human beings in His own image, He made
them workers, too.
God told the parents of mankind to subdue the
earth — to develop, care for and produce from their environment. When
God planted the garden in Eden, He put the man into the garden to
cultivate and beautify it.
2. Does the commandment to rest on the Sabbath have another side? Exodus 20:8-9.
Rest
from what? from work, of course. Though many have not realized it, the
Fourth Commandment also instructs us to labor during the other six days
of the week. That part of the command is just as important as the part
requiring us to rest on the seventh day of the week the day God made
holy.
The Sabbath commandment actually dates back to creation
week. It was given to keep man in a close spiritual relationship with
his Creator. who is engaged in productive work -- who created and now
sustains His creation. And God intends for us to become like Him.
3.
Was Jesus Christ sent to earth to work? John 9:4. Did He reveal that
the Father is still busily at work? John 5:17.
4. Does God
intend for us to enjoy and profit from the work we do? Ecclesiastes
2:24, 3:22. How zealously should we do all of our work? Ecclesiastes
9:10.
God works with zeal. We are to become more like God by
working diligently, whether we are working for an employer, doing the
housework or working for ourselves.
Philosopher and writer
Elbert Hubbard realized the importance of working diligently. He said;
"If I worked for a man, I would work for him. I would not work for him
part of the time, and against him the rest of the time. I would either
work for him all the time, or I would not work for him at all."
5.
How did the apostle Paul deal with lazy, shiftless idlers'? II
Thessalonians 3:10. Did he command them to work? Verses 11-12.
6.
Will diligent effort always prove its worth'? Proverbs 10:4-5, 13:4.
Will the hard worker have the necessities of life? Proverbs 20:13,
28:19.
7. Does the slothful person look for all
kinds of dangers to justify his lack of effort? Proverbs 22:13, 26:13-15. Is his love of sleep and lack of effort the cause of his
poverty'7 Proverbs 6:10-11.
8. Does laziness tend to become habit-forming? Proverbs 19:15.
Some
use the slightest excuse to Hop down on the bed or couch — they cannot
distinguish between true tiredness and plain laziness' Others watch
television when they ought to be working or doing something
constructive.
9. Is there profit in all labor? And nothing but poverty in a lot of talk? Proverbs 14:23.
If
you happen to be unemployed, you can start profiting from this
principle right now. How? By making a job out of finding a job. Work at
it 40 hours a week. Persist and be resourceful. Read books to learn how
to search more effectively. Seek advice on other types of employment if
your skills are not in demand, or perhaps your skills can be adapted to
some other job. And, of course, ask God to help you find a job. Once
you have a job, you are ready to put into action further practical
instruction from the New Testament.
10. What did Paul
teach regarding service to one's employer — one's boss, foreman or
supervisor'' Colossians 3:22-24, Titus 2:9-10.
Though Paul's
instruction was specifically to Christians who were bond slaves, the
principles also apply to our performance on the job. Whatever your
occupation may be, work as if your immediate boss were Jesus Christ:
"Do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men." Be cooperative and
zealous on the job. Be alert to please your boss by doing the job his
way. Show your willingness to go beyond what is required.
Remember,
too, that good personal relations on the job is one of the best forms
of employment insurance. Don't be a flatterer or a hypocrite, but show
sincere, loving concern and cooperation toward your employer, your
foreman and your fellow employees in every possible way. Your good
attitude and cheerfulness will help everyone else do a better job, too.
11. Can one expect to be paid a good salary if he is not worth it? See the principle in Mark 4:24.
Moffatt
translates this verse "the measure you deal out to others will be dealt
out to yourselves." If you give your employer a fair day's work, he
will pay a fair day's wage. If he won't, another employer will be glad
to.
The way to receive a higher salary is to be worth more! Be a
valuable employee. Don't just plod along in your job with a ho-hum,
humdrum. every-day-the-same-routine attitude. Be energetic -- produce.
Study to improve your skills. Take some night classes or check out
books on your line of work from the public library.
Really apply
yourself and prove to your employer that you have the ability and the
desire to work and do an excellent job. Do your part and God will bless
you.
12. What is a sluggard like to those who hire him? Proverbs 10:26.
He simply doesn't get the job done. Therefore he isn't paid much, if he can hold a job at all.
13. To whom is the sluggard instructed to go to study and learn about the initiative he lacks'? Proverbs 6:6-9.
Many
have not understood the main point of this passage. Certainly it
advocates the quality of diligence. But notice verse 7. The ant not
only works, but does so with "no leader, no foreman or chief (Moffatt).
Humans,
with the God-given ability to think and reason, should be able to do
much better than these lower forms of life whose actions are only
instinctive. An employee should think ahead to see what needs to be
done, always working diligently whether or not the boss is looking.
14.
What kind of employee will end up directing the rest of the workers?
Proverbs 12:24. And what will be the lot of the slothful? Same verse.
Do
your job without being told. Or do it immediately when told how. Get it
right the first time. Be the kind of person who increases his
superior's production and the production of his fellow workers. When
the time comes for raises and promotions, this is the person who will
be remembered.
15. Will the person who really
applies himself on the job eventually find himself in the company of
distinguished people? Proverbs 22:29.
16. Was Joseph an industrious young man who was given great responsibilities? Genesis 39:2-6, 22-23, 41:39-44.
Are
you willing to put forth the effort to be like Joseph? He was a
diligent worker who served and obeyed God. \nd though he was severely
tested for a time, he did the best he could even in limited
circumstances. He obeyed God, and therefore God blessed him greatly. He
eventually became prime minister of Egypt, and will be given a high
position in the soon-coming Kingdom of God (see Hebrews 11).
If
you really believe God and set yourself to follow the biblical
principles we've just studied, and strive to please God in other facets
of your life as revealed in His Word, He promises to bless you! The
apostle Paul sums it up in Hebrews 11:6: "He who comes to God must
believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder [both spiritually and
physically] of those who diligently seek Him."
