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A Christian employee has many things to consider as a
believer in Christ, because their commitment to do God’s will, results
in their working, talking, and deciding much differently than the
unbelieving employee. The Christian employee obeys the
instructions and wishes of their employer
Ephesians 6:5
”with respect and The Christian employee knows that it is their Christian responsibility to follow the Scriptures with all work-related issues. Colossians 3:22 ”Employees, obey your earthly employers in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.”
There are many temptations to deal with in the workplace.
The devil makes it easy for employees to take
breaks, or liberties, that the employer has not given. Even when the
boss is absent, the Christian employee should work The Holy Spirit inspires the Christian employee to produce quality work—as if Jesus were the boss. We should ask ourselves if our work habits would change, if Jesus asked us to do something for Him. We should do our work with that always in mind. “Whatever you do, work at it [heartily; cheerfully] with all your heart, as [though] working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” Colossians 3:23-24. The worldly employee has a different mind-set and work habits. They generally do everything possible to get out of work, do as little as they can, and take as many breaks as they can get away with. It results in wasting the employer’s time and lessening production. Unbelievers get in the habit of taking company materials, stealing time from the employer, and going on unscheduled breaks.
All employees want to be paid a livable
wage, enjoy pleasant conditions, and have Labor unions are supposed to protect an employee’s rights, promise fair wages, see to reasonable hours, and assure safe working conditions, but they use human force and legal contracts to get them. If their demands are not met by the company, the employees go on strike and often resort to violence to get what they demand—it is the worst type of human effort and inspired by Satan. Employers should treat their employees right—giving a fair wage, requesting reasonable hours, and providing safe conditions, but many employers fail to do that. The world’s way is to demand a change, quit the job, or force the issue, but the Christian employee follows this advice: “In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” Philippians 4:6. The worldly employee thinks of many ways to get back at unreasonable employers, but the Christian employee thinks only of God’s Word—which says, “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord” Romans 12:19. Christian employees are thankful to be employed and consider themselves blessed to have a God who will do anything for them. The world invents new ways to get revenge on unscrupulous employers. They take breaks, drag their feet, make phone calls, send emails to loved ones, or search on-line for personal items. They help themselves to company property, or slack off from work at every opportunity to even the score. All these things are not according to God’s Word. Whether it be unfair wages, unreasonable hours, unfulfilled promises, or a difficult co-worker—all such things are placed before God in prayer. The attitude of the Christian employee toward their employer is clearly stated; 1 Peter 2:18-19 ”[employees], be submissive to your [employers], and show them the utmost respect—not only if they are kind and thoughtful [considerate], but also if they are unreasonable [harsh]. For it is an acceptable thing with God, if, from a sense of duty to Him, a man patiently submits to wrong, when treated unjustly.” The Christian employee diligently completes every task to the best of their ability, and works faithfully when no one is around. They are totally honest at all times, and with everything—especially the hours they turn in to the employer. Those who represent Christ keep busy all day, because He is their Master. The Christian employee submits patiently to harsh treatment, because God tells us to meet all things in that way. 1 Peter 2:20 ”If you do wrong and receive a blow for it, what credit is there in your bearing it patiently? But if when you do right and suffer for it you bear it patiently, this is an acceptable thing with God.” If we tolerate mean treatment and being taken advantage of, God approves. He is pleased when we work all day, and are honest in all transactions, even though the wages are low and the hours are long. Our boss may never thank us, nor ever say we are doing a good job, but God approves and that is all that matters. When every work issue—whether a difficult task, overtime hours, or added responsibility, is placed in God’s hands to stay, it will glorify God and represent Christ. That is the Christian employee’s response to all work issues.
The Bible is the Christian
employee’s God requires that we accept unreasonable hours of overtime, to endure difficult working conditions, to keep busy when no one is around, and to be content with whatever wage we are paid, because that is our Christian duty as a Christian employee.
If we will give our life to God,
and make the commitment to follow Jesus in all work-related matters, we
will be blessed with reasonable hours, adequate wages, pleasant
conditions, and more than enough time off. When a If beginning a new job, the Christian employee is to be agreeable with whatever the boss wants to pay them. A believer in Christ does not demand a certain wage from their employer, but is content with whatever the company offers. God says Luke 3:14 “be content with your pay,” and do your best at whatever you are asked to do. We are to give quantity in hours, and quality in work. If Jesus asked us to do something, we would do it immediately, and work diligently at the task. The Christian employee is to do any job, for any employer, with the same attitude and same enthusiasm—even if the pay is low, the work boring, and the boss unreasonable. Treating our employer with respect, whether they deserve it or not, is God’s will. Ephesians 6:6.
Not many employees serve their employer
faithfully, which is obvious by the huge number of stores closings due
to employee incompetence, indifference, or dishonesty. God’s Word is
clear Ephesians 6:7-8 “Serve [your employer]
wholeheartedly [faithfully], as if you were
Worldly employees worry about
today, tomorrow, and the future, but God says the God’s Word is a living Word, and the results from following the Scriptures are the same today as they were in the Bible. God promises His Spirit so we can follow the Word. The instructions—Colossians 3:22-23 “[Employees] obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Obey them willingly because of your reverent fear of the Lord. Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” We are to ask God to protect us from unscriptural actions and attitudes that are all around us in the workplace. The Christian employee, who has surrendered their life to God, will follow His Word. Colossians 3:24, “Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ.” Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life” John 10:27-28. What a reward that is for allowing God to have what belongs to Him—our life! Christian employees consider others first concerning all work-related issues. We are to give others first preference regarding hours, days, vacation weeks, and tasks—we are to take what is left. Philippians 2:3 ”With true humility, let every one regard the rest as being of more account than himself.”
The wife of Joseph’s employer
told a
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