Stewardship & Responsibility in the Workplace - God's View

What are your God-given responsibilities? We tend to view our roles and responsibilities in categories of secular and sacred-serving. Being the Director of Music in your local church, that’s serving God. Being a Pastor, that's serving God. Being a city bus driver, that’s secular work. Being a grocery store clerk, or a Refuse Collector, though secular work, that’s serving God too. God views all of life as spiritual. We serve God at our secular jobs as much as we serve Him by ministering at church. Sure, you may work for a certain someone, or a particular business or a ministry, but overall, our boss is still Jesus.

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” (Colossians 3:23)

Probing/Self-Evaluating thoughtful questions will allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart as to how you include the Lord “in all things.” This includes your working with integrity. What He says, and what you hear are important.

Would it make a difference to see all of our responsibilities as God-given? How would that perspective change your work ethic, attitude, career, and vocational goals? Concerning work, how do you represent yourself before others; as inauthentic? Is who you are, your personal value or self-worth directly tied to what you do for work, and your career? Because of this, do you act one way doing secular work and another way in other social settings (e.g., church)? Is doing secular work an opportunity for you to serve God?

As Christians in the 21st century, please consider embracing/changing your thinking to a larger biblical view of stewardship, which goes beyond fame and recognition, titles, financial accumulation, personal brand building, and projects, though all important. The biblical view connects everything we do with what God is doing in the world.

Tim Keller, a New York Times writer, and a pastor wrote in his book, Every Good Endeavor makes this point, “In addition to God giving us gifts that we are responsible and accountable for stewarding, we are not alone in that endeavor. He is with us, helping us, every day.” Keller continues, “This is the definition of Dominion that I believe is intended and given by GOD. We have changed our definition over time to create the right of ownership and the right to take whatever fits our lustful desires at the moment.” Not true!

I encourage each reader to be faithful stewards of all God has given you, to take healthy advantage of each opportunity presented through His providence; to glorify Him; to serve the common good, and further His Kingdom. Let it be our determination, not to be ashamed of what we do for work/career, nor to be labeled as insignificant because of what we do. You matter. Let’s, be “all-in” with Him!

Thank you for reading this. I welcome you to read Part II of my “Stewardship and Responsibility – God’s View”. As always, we here at EPIC look forward to connecting with you!