A JOB WELL DONE

 

"So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together to half its height,

for the people had a mind to work."

Nehemiah 4:6

 

Donna (not her real name) was a young woman at a church where I was the Administrative Pastor. Donna came to me asking for help in finding a new job. Once again, she had been fired from her current position, which she had for only a few months. The reason for her dismissal, she spent her time telling others about Jesus rather than the job she was being paid to do.

            Donna saw this as a badge of honor. She had lost other jobs for the same reason and marked it all up to being persecuted for her faith. My counsel to her was that if she had worked for me at the church and rather than doing her job, she was "witnessing" to everyone she saw, I would fire her as well. She was not fired because of her faith. Her faith had nothing to do with it. She was fired because she was a lousy employee and did not do her job.

            Christians should be the best employees that a company has. We should always be the hardest workers, doing the best job and going the extra mile at whatever we do. Paul tells us in his  letter to the Colossians (3:17), "Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." If we indeed do our work in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, how can we do anything but an excellent job?

            When a company hires you to do a task and pays to do that task, then to do anything else, even telling others about Jesus, is stealing the money they are paying you. Rather than telling others about a savior, who hasn't seemed to make you a better person, since you are willing to neglect your responsibilities and show your employer that you will take their money but not do your job, why not show them who Jesus truly is.

            We have an opportunity in the workplace to show those around us and our employers how Jesus transforms a life, how He gives us the ability to do an excellent job and to provide far more than we are paid for. Then, when asked what makes us exceptional workers, we can honestly share the good news about the Lord we serve.

            Our presence in the workplace should make employers want to hire more Christians, not less. Believers in Jesus do not follow an exceptional work ethic; we are an exceptional work ethic. Look at the example we have in Joseph, Daniel, Nehemiah, and others. They were not good at their jobs; they were the best.

            You do not have to wait to start being that exceptional employee. You can and should start right now. As we have been encouraged by the great evangelist John Wesley (1703-1791), "Let there be no delay. Whatever you resolve, begin to execute the first moment you can." Keep this thought ever before you; no matter who signs your paycheck, you work for Jesus Christ. He is your source of all things, and He deserves the very best you have to give.

 

You can learn more about Personal Development from the author and speaker, John Patrick Hickey. To get his books, training material, or book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website: www.growthcenter.net.    © 2022 John Patrick Hickey. No part of this material may be reprinted or published without the author's written permission.