The pursuit of the American Dream has produced a business culture of cheating, corruption, and cut-throat practices, where the ends-justify-means. For many the goal is to get ahead regardless of who you have to step on in the process. This breads competition against others that produces jealousy for those who are worse off and pride for those who are doing better.
Is there any distinction between Christians and unbelievers in business and the workplace? It seems that even Jesus-followers kick into the rat race on Monday morning. Jesus seems to be missing from most Christians’ lives once they get to work.
What would it be like if Jesus went to work in our place? How would He do things?
In part two of the doors series, discover these principles from 1st Corinthians (follow these links to see trailer and listen to podcast).
Much like 21st Century America, Paul wrote a letter to church in Corinth that was full of pragmatic hunt for wealth and the extravagance, decadence, immorality that could come with it.
Since Corinth was full of greed, lust, idolatry, divisive philosophies, and litigation, so was the church.
In his letter to this early church, Paul instructs these new believers that following Christ was counter-cultural, and that God didn't want to just be part of their life but to BE their LIFE.
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16.
There is only ONE message- the Gospel. However, there are many applications into every aspect (or room) of our lives. Here are the ABC’s of Jesus entering the workplace of our lives.
One Big Idea: Serve an Audience of One.
In 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, Paul challenges all believers to examine our work and life as a ministry to God and build on foundation of Jesus. While he wasn't talking about business, he was writing about the kind of life and work that all believers should do to build their life on the foundation of Jesus. This principle certainly applies to the area of business and work. We only have one message and one set of values.
Regardless of our occupation, whether carpenter or surgeon, landscaper or lawyer, we are all servants of Christ. His review is all that matters. Work for His approval. Paul makes this point again in Colossians 3:23-24.
How would our work change if we saw Jesus as our supervisor, manager, or client?
To Serve an Audience of One- Balance
The Ten Commandments for workers: “Have no other God’s before me,” (Exodus 20:3).
Workaholics and the greedy replace God with career, and that is idolatry (putting anything above God).
“Honor the Sabbath.” Exodus 23:8-11. The sabbath was a day set aside for believers to worship God and rest. This "day off" requires us to trust God for our provision.
We must rest and take time for recreation. Our bodies were designed to work for six days and then rest.
To Serve an Audience of One- Character
What standards drives our business practice? Worldly decisions are sinful decisions. Non-Christian business ethic is sinful business practice.
When we accept the Good News, Jesus takes over every aspect of our life through transformation!
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 to challenge believers about what education we trust and instincts we fall back on?
Paul challenging church not to use worldly business, workplace ethics.
The character of Christ is our capital. His character is integrity, truthfulness/ honesty, and righteousness.
To Serve an Audience of One- Diligence.
According to 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, Jesus Followers are hard working! All Jesus-followers are servants of Christ and stewards of the gifts, talents, skills, and work that God has entrusted to them.
Paul's writings challenge us to be hard workers, not working just when our supervisor is looking.
Love this quite by Martin Luther King, Jr:
“We must set out to do a good job, irrespective of race, and do it so well that nobody could do it better.Whatever your life's work is, do it well. Even if it does not fall in the category of one of the so-called big professions, do it well. As one college president said, "A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better." If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, like Shakespeare wrote poetry, like Beethoven composed music; sweep streets so well that all the host of Heaven and earth will have to pause and say, "Here lived a great street sweeper, who swept his job well."
Diligence means we work for God and work hard, regardless of benefit or reward.
Be diligent, and God who sees in secret will reward you openly. Not taking longer breaks or cutting out early.
Jesus rewards his servants for being “good and faithful” which means we are doing right thing for long enough.
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