Our Attitude Toward Our Job

Most people’s most important relationship outside their family is their relationship to the people they work with.  For a Christian this is another very important relationship as well.  Since most are employees of someone else we will start with the employee’s attitude toward his employer.  Many times we feel that our employment interferes with our freedom to serve the Lord, and want to be self employed .  I Corinthians 7:20-24 addresses this concern.  “Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.  Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.  For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.  Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.  Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.”

Basically, what Paul says is that whether you are working for yourself or for someone else is irrelevant to your Christian life.  If you have the financial capability and desire to be self employed then do so, but if not, do not fret about it.  You can serve God either way.  In Ephesians 6:5-8, Paul instructed, “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;  Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”

We ought to do our very best at our job, recognizing that we are in fact serving the Lord in the job we are in, and that he will reward us for being obedient.  Colossians 3:22-25 tells us the same thing.  “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”

Whether our employers are Christians or not, we are to show them proper respect, as I Timothy 6:1-2 tells us.  “Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.  And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.”  We are to teach and encourage other Christians to have a proper attitude toward their employers as well, not taking advantage of their trust.    Titus 2:9-10 commands, “Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;  Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.”

Our attitude toward our job can draw people to Christ or drive them away.  Not all employers are good, but we should not let that determine how we treat them.  I Peter 2:18-19 tells us, “Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.  For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.”

While it may seem desirable to be the boss or own your own business, it is important to understand that one’s responsibilities increase accordingly, and that the authority makes it easier to hurt people.  James 3:1-2 tells us, “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.  For in many things we offend all…”  Things that would be ignored if said by a fellow employee can be very offensive coming from one’s boss. 

As an employer, we owe them the same respect and loyalty we expect them to give us, as Ephesians 6:9 tells us.  “And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.”  While we may own the company they work for, we are responsible before the same God as everyone else, and will one day have to give an accounting for the way we have treated them.  Colossians 4:1 commands, “Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.”