Do you look forward to going to work?
Are you actively engaged while you are working?
Do you work diligently in every task you’re assigned?
If you answered yes then great!
But if you answered no, don’t feel too bad, you’re the norm.
I’m going to challenge your thinking about work from a biblical perspective.
According to the Washington Post, the average person is not very satisfied in their workplace.
At first, I thought this was an American issue but it’s far from it.
Only 13% of people globally like going to work!
That means that 87% of people of all over the world collectively, do not enjoy their work.
Now there are many factors for this, but research shows a lack of motivation is #1.
This leads to people disengaging from work or being unproductive in their work.
Can you relate?
How Does Your Work Ethic Compare to God’s Standards?
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people. – Colossians 3:23
There are many factors that can lead to workplace dissatisfaction.
However, in this post, we’re going to discuss how you should view your work from the perspective of a Christian.
As a girl who never really enjoyed many of the jobs I’ve had myself, I can totally relate to everyone who feels this way.
I have worked many different jobs where I started to get an itch to leave around the 1-year mark.
For me, it was because I wasn’t working in the area I enjoyed.
I had no real motivation besides a paycheck.
Honestly, I didn’t know what I liked.
All I knew was I just needed to get paid and gain job experience, or so I thought.
What I didn’t know was that my work, wherever I was placed was testing a few things.
It tested my faithfulness, my obedience, my discipline, my commitment and most of all my worship.
I failed at most of these in my early years because I did random jobs I didn’t care about for superficial purposes.
What about you?
What’s motivating you in the workplace?
How can your work be worship to God?
Especially when you don’t like it?
Well, the world’s view and the biblical view of work ethic are two completely different perspectives and two completely different ideologies.
The world defines work as “activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result”.
This means that you are using your body and senses in a way to achieve a result.
For most people, this is a paycheck.
However, what if that paycheck isn’t enough?
Or the job issues outweigh the benefit of the paycheck?
If that check is the only motivation under those circumstances then no wonder you feel unmotivated in your workplace.
You’ve become a slave to that check!
Let me break this down further.
The world views work as something for self-fulfillment, while God says work is used to bring Him glory.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
The motivation you need to do your work with joy and enthusiasm is that you’re doing a good work for the Lord.
So wherever you’re at, God knows and He’s waiting for you to bring Him glory in that place.
Are you asking for more?
It doesn’t matter if you’re a CEO of a company, a rocket scientist, a janitor scrubbing toilets, a stay at home mom, or a college student.
God wants to see if you will be faithful wherever you’re at.
“You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” – Matthew 25:24
God places us in unfavorable places sometimes to train us, test us, and equip us.
Not so we can get overwhelmed by our work, but so we may become an overcomer through Christ in our work.
Are You Storing Up Treasures in Heaven or Here on Earth?
In the Bible, a man named Joshua was one of the greatest military conquerors of all time.
God empowered him to defeat the enemy’s of Israel and conquer their land.
He then divided up the land between the twelve tribes of Israel and gave them their ‘lot’ as was assigned to them by God.
And believe it or not, this applies to followers of Jesus today.
Whatever you have and wherever you are, is the exact lot you’ve been assigned to from God in this season of your life.
In order to advance, you must be faithful with the lot you’ve been given.
How can God entrust you to a lot of twenty acres when the lot of two acres you have right now is full of weeds, dry dirt, and has no fertile soil to produce anything?
Everything is uncovered to the eyes of God.
Nothing is hidden from Him.
You may think no one knows—your boss can’t see or your spouse won’t find out…but God is omniscient and omnipresent.
Meaning, He knows all and is everywhere, always.
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. – Hebrews 4:13
Maybe that’s why your circumstances haven’t changed.
Ask yourself, “Am I working faithfully where I’m at, with the lot I’ve been given?
This was a lesson I too had to learn, and this applies to every facet of our lives.
In all you do, you must do it as unto the Lord not as unto man.
That means your whole life is to be motivated by aiming to glorify God!
Paychecks, vacations, bonuses etc. are all byproducts of our labor which God honors.
But true service to God glorifies Him in and through it all.
And, God promises to bless His children for their service to Him.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33
God has a promise for those who seek Him first!
He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
In contrast, people consumed with the world are focused on how they can please themselves.
They live and work, seeking pleasure and self-gratification at every turn.
They’re only looking to fill themselves up with the prestigious and monetary things of this world.
And God is saying, don’t seek after that!
He knows what you have need of, so don’t be distracted or consumed with anything this world has to offer you.
Rather, seek Him first.
Remember, it’s the Lord who brings the increase.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” -Matthew 6:25
The world wants to store up as many riches as it can and hoard it on earth, but everything in the earth is perishing!
All things under the sun have an expiration date.
God says instead, store up for yourself treasures in heaven because only they will never rot or perish. (Matthew 6:20)
Key Takeaway
A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. ( Proverbs 10:4)
Did you know slacking off actually hinders God’s plans for you?
Remember, it’s when you’re faithful in the little things that He brings you more.
God abhors laziness because it hinders the work He wants to do in your life.
He wants to pour into you and flow through you, but if you’re slacking off, you’ll remain ‘clogged’ and unusable.
If you ever had a clogged up sink, you know it is not only a pain, it is unusable.
The water goes down either very slowly or not at all.
That’s a picture of us as a being lazy in our work ethic.
It’s like saying, “Sorry God, I’m out of service.”
The flow has been cut off!
“Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.” (Proverbs 18:9)
You have the privilege to worship God in your workplace.
Worship is not over when you exit the church, unfold your hands from praying or close your Bible.
Your daily labor, regardless of the occupation, is worship to God and this includes your attitude, behavior, promptness, productivity, and love for one another in the workplace.
Remember, God honors worship to Him, especially in unfavorable circumstances because it shows you trust Him.
Your good attitude and good work ethic will be contagious!
It will not only bless God but others around you will be blessed as well.
Don’t let your work be work unto people or unto a paycheck.
Instead, let your work be unto the Lord and you will be fulfilled no matter where God places you. Amen?
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Thank you for this blog,I needed a reminder of who am
Really working for.
Amen Ana,
We all need reminders daily of who we are truly working unto and serving in the workplace, its a common struggle but one that God wants us to rely on him in.
Thank you for this blog,I needed a reminder of who am
Really working for.
Amen Ana,
We all need reminders daily of who we are truly working unto and serving in the workplace, its a common struggle but one that God wants us to rely on him in.
Thank you just what I need right now at work:)
Praise God Billy,
The Lord is aware of our work struggles but he wants us to rely on him in those areas of weakness. Our work wherever it is, does not go unnoticed, God sees all. So continue to press in knowing in who’s sight your working for 🙂
Thank you just what I need right now at work:)
Praise God Billy,
The Lord is aware of our work struggles but he wants us to rely on him in those areas of weakness. Our work wherever it is, does not go unnoticed, God sees all. So continue to press in knowing in who’s sight your working for 🙂
I am unable to focus on my work due to personal issues I am currently having. what do i do?
Good afternoon!
Personal issues can definitely interfere with our quality of work, but even then its all perspective, although you may be struggling in your personal life, see your work as something you need and gain a sense of gratitude for you job. For example, how much harder would it be if you didn’t have a job on top of your personal issues? So see your work as a blessing you have outside of your personal issues, it’ll help you gain an appreciation of your work at least while your there because you need it.
God says in Isaiah 26:3 “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trust in you”. So ask yourself, are your eyes on God or have you turned them inwards towards your problems? If so then your problems will become magnified while your faith in God shrinks. So whatever is hindering you, give it to God allow him to make something out of it and fight for your peace that the enemy wants to steal!
God bless you!
Erica
I am unable to focus on my work due to personal issues I am currently having. what do i do?
Good afternoon!
Personal issues can definitely interfere with our quality of work, but even then its all perspective, although you may be struggling in your personal life, see your work as something you need and gain a sense of gratitude for you job. For example, how much harder would it be if you didn’t have a job on top of your personal issues? So see your work as a blessing you have outside of your personal issues, it’ll help you gain an appreciation of your work at least while your there because you need it.
God says in Isaiah 26:3 “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trust in you”. So ask yourself, are your eyes on God or have you turned them inwards towards your problems? If so then your problems will become magnified while your faith in God shrinks. So whatever is hindering you, give it to God allow him to make something out of it and fight for your peace that the enemy wants to steal!
God bless you!
Erica
Omg! Thank you so much for this post 🙌🏽 If I would’ve knew all of this since last year I’ve probably would’ve been somewhere. This is a helpful post and Im taking everything into consideration.
Amen Jasmine!
Im glad the Lord spoke to you through this post and showed you his will for you in the workplace. Gods word says were a city on a hill and if you ever been in an airplane at night, all you see is the lights from the big city. We are to be those lights in the dark world shining bright, seen by those who don’t know him in order to make him known.
God Bless
Omg! Thank you so much for this post 🙌🏽 If I would’ve knew all of this since last year I’ve probably would’ve been somewhere. This is a helpful post and Im taking everything into consideration.
Amen Jasmine!
Im glad the Lord spoke to you through this post and showed you his will for you in the workplace. Gods word says were a city on a hill and if you ever been in an airplane at night, all you see is the lights from the big city. We are to be those lights in the dark world shining bright, seen by those who don’t know him in order to make him known.
God Bless
I can honestly say that I’ve disappointed God several times with the things he has blessed me with. I’m learning in my storm what he is really trying to teach me. It just makes you want to be a better steward next time so you can receive his everlasting blessings. Thank you Jesus 🙌🏽
I can honestly say that I’ve disappointed God several times with the things he has blessed me with. I’m learning in my storm what he is really trying to teach me. It just makes you want to be a better steward next time so you can receive his everlasting blessings. Thank you Jesus 🙌🏽
God Bless you Erica just followed u on ig, hope to meet u one day…
Hello Carmen!
Thank you, I hope Gods word ministered to your heart and I hope to meet you as well! God is faithful, always doing a new thing, we just gotta be willing to hear him 🙂
Be Blessed, Erica
God Bless you Erica just followed u on ig, hope to meet u one day…
Hello Carmen!
Thank you, I hope Gods word ministered to your heart and I hope to meet you as well! God is faithful, always doing a new thing, we just gotta be willing to hear him 🙂
Be Blessed, Erica
Great article and wise words! Just what I needed! Thank you. 🙂
Great article and wise words! Just what I needed! Thank you. 🙂