Thinking Biblically About Being A Christian In The Work Force

Historically, many Christians have had the impression that church workers — especially evangelists, missionaries,  and pastors — have a higher calling than other workers. While there is little in the Bible to support this impression, by the Middle Ages, “religious” life — as a monk or nun — was widely considered holier than ordinary life. Throughout history many Christians and churches have taken a Christ-against-culture (and subsequently work) position – seeing culture as completely tainted with sin and hostile to the gospel:

“do not love the world or anything in the world…For everything in the world…comes not from the Father but from the world” (1 John 2:15-16).

Regrettably, this distortion remains influential in churches of all traditions. With such a sacred/secular divide, the prevailing belief then is that our work matters little to God – what we do 9-5 is immaterial so long as we are personally growing in holiness and involved with the covenant community outside the traditional work week.  Additionally, more confusion arises because many churches require that individuals be “called” to be ordained or to serve as pastors, priests or other ministers – and that this call is somehow unique to the pastorate.

How can we see past the confusion and think biblically about this issue? Join us for a discussion on Creative Business Strategies for Social and Kingdom Impact through our Engage@Work Series (you can even register here). Come hear from a panel of leaders in the marketplace that have fully embraced their identity as missionaries in Christ and are working in ways to help change the world around them.

The God we are created to image is the first worker. He said “Let it be” and the world sprung into creation with order and purpose. Everything visible and invisible is a gift of his handiwork. God the Father, is characterized by generous sovereignty – working, creating, and calling into being all things by his power and wisdom.  He does this in collaboration with the Son through the ever-serving activity of the Holy Spirit.

He is the master craftsperson:

• the potter (Isa 45:9, 64:8)
• the architect of the universe (Prov 8:22-31)
• the homemaker (Lk 15:8-10)
• the weaver who knits humans together in their mother’s womb (Ps 139:13-16).

It is part of our created identity to work; to create; to cultivate. A. W. Tozer once said that:

“it is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it.”

Therefore, our work does matter to God – not just our witness at work or the money it provides for giving generously to the church’s mission - but our actual work. Our work reflects and ultimately reveals God’s glory.

We can look at work as futile and insignificant, or as God-ordained and God-reflecting.  Your feelings about work are not intended to be morally neutral or even guilty. Instead, see that your work can make an eternal difference in the lives of those you work with, those you work for, and those you serve through your job. Our work is an amazing way to advance God’s gospel.  Allow the transformation of the gospel to change the way you look at, and do, your work.

People in every walk of life are called to follow Christ with equal depth and commitment. What we also see in scripture are men like David, men like Moses, men like Joseph – seemingly ordinary men that God uses in extraordinary ways to bring about his purposes.  In fact, more often than not, God does not use pastors and priests but men from the marketplace and from government to leverage their ability and talents to advance his gospel in mighty ways.

Christian, you were redeemed by grace. Now live out that grace in the context of your job. We have been created in the image of God – the first worker – to enjoy all that he has given us and to rejoice and worship him for the work he has called us to.  As Paul said to the Colossians, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men… It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

Tim Keller says,

“Gospel-shaped hearts will produce culturally-engaged Christians, who will help change the world.”

What would it look like if professionals sought places of employment for the sake of mission? If factory workers and small business owners were willing to either plant roots or relocate for the sake of community and gospel partnership? What would it look like for individuals and businesses to invest time, energy and resources in new ventures or creatives solutions if for nothing more than the social or gospel impact it might have?

Join me and a panel of your fellow-laborers in Christ in a forum on Creative Business Strategies for Social and Kingdom Impact.  Embrace your identity as a missionary in Christ, and join your voice with with us as we discuss ways to help change the world around them.

Register now.