The workplace is becoming an increasingly nasty and competitive arena. Too often, honesty and hard work seem to lose out to the pursuit of a quick buck and me-first politicking. But there is another way. The idea that the Bible contains specific guidance for the modern work life is not as incongruous as it might seem. As Joseph and Daniel proved, integrity and diligence can help us succeed and stand out from the crowd.
Have a strong work ethic. Give it your best shot. Instead of doing the minimum, put your all into your responsibilities. “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” “The soul of the diligent shall be made rich.”
Be a self-starter. “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.”
Be honest. Bending the rules doesn’t pay in the long run. “Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people.”
Don’t dwell on negatives. No job is perfect. “If there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
As for that hard-to-get-along-with coworker, the Bible admonishes, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Contentions? “A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.”
Feeling restless and bored? God will refresh your spirit. “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”
Feeling stressed and spent? “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
Be patient. God blesses those who do things His way, but not always immediately and not only in dollars and cents. Bible figures Joseph and Daniel both rose to top positions, but neither was an overnight success. “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich.” “Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
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2 Peter 3:18 ESV – But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
2 Timothy 2:15 ESV – Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
James 2:14 ESV – What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
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