Essay from a Concerned American: Serving the Lord in the Workplace
“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” (Romans 12:11)
Romans Chapter 12 is largely about the nuts and bolts of the daily Christian life. At first glance, our verse may seem to be for people in ministry; yet it’s really for everyone who knows Jesus as Saviour. The Book of Romans wasn’t written just for preachers, but for everyday Christians.
Paul said, “Not slothful in BUSINESS;” (capitals added) He didn’t say “Not slothful in ministry.” A ministry is not a business. Ministry is about sharing God’s Word with people. Business is about selling a product or providing a service for a profit; which is not wrong. Most Christians are not in full-time Christian ministry. Most Christians make their living in a non-ministry job.
Still, Acts 17:25 says God “…giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;” So whatever your job is, God gave it to you. Do it, then, as if the Lord were your Boss; which, ultimately, He is: “And whatsoever ye do [anything!], do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” (Colossians 3:23)
Having Jesus as Saviour makes any job special. The psalmist says in Psalm 84:10, “…I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Keeping the door is an important job when you’re God’s doorkeeper. If you’re saved, you’re Jesus’ servant and your job is important; whether you’re Jesus’ servant as a cop, a politician, or any other job.
Of course, you may not feel your earthly boss deserves your best work. A Bible verse actually talks about having a difficult boss: “Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.” (1 Peter 2:17) Your boss may not deserve your best work, but if you know Jesus as Saviour, remember that Jesus always deserves your best work.
A workplace can also be a mission field; since most people, sadly, don’t know Jesus as Saviour. You shouldn’t misuse time at work talking about religion. Yet you can work hard, strive to be helpful, and avoid gossip. 1 Peter 3:1 tells Christian wives that even if their unsaved husbands don’t want to hear the gospel, they can “…without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;” The same principle works for Christians in the workplace who want to reach their unsaved co-workers.
Many jobs have their own unique set of stressors and problems. When people see you handle the job in a way consistent with your Christian faith, your “conversation,” to use the Bible term, has an effect on them, whether they realize it or not. Moreover, when some personal crisis hits and they need to talk with someone who isn’t ashamed to talk about God, they’ll know whom to call.
Moreover, because many jobs have unique dynamics and stressors, people may prefer to talk with someone who understands the job yet can still talk with them on a human level. In effect, then, you may be able to reach people that a minister may be less likely to reach, because of your experience.
When you have Jesus as Saviour, you have Someone who cares about you: “…he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) The queen of Sheba visited King Solomon during his reign. She saw all his riches and splendor, but she also saw something else: his servants were happy! “Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.” (1 Kings 10:8)
Being a servant to the Lord Jesus is the greatest job in the world. Do you know Jesus as Saviour? Please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?” to learn how to receive Jesus as Saviour for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
Brian Miller
Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 216/671-2822