Checking Our Job
We spend a great part of our time working. And that’s all right. “If any one is not willing to work, neither shall he eat.” And if we pursue holiness, we have to be blameless on this area also.
What does that mean? It means that our work has to be pure, morally unquestionable. I’m not referring to “jobs” like prostitution or drug dealing, because these are obviously sinful. I would rather point to those which are legal and generally accepted, but wouldn’t pass the test with God.
Once a businessman came to our church. He was told to be a strong supporter of the church and missions. He was the owner of a “head-hunter” business. This meant that they were finding and getting excellent workers for generous companies. They were not a simple employment agency, to whom people go to find a job, but they were searching out the workers with the offers.
We had a dialog similar to this:
Me: What percentage of the workers you approach have a workplace?
He: They all have a workplace.
(From a business standpoint this is totally understandable. The good workers are not looking for a job, they are working effectively.)
Me: The employer, whose worker you take away, what does he say?
He: He is probably unhappy.
Hmmm, is this fair? It’s true, that the new employer is happy for his new worker, the worker is happy for his step up and the higher payment, and a part of the money even goes to God’s work. But do these things make God forget, that as a result of our work a trail of employers is left behind, who feel – not without any basis – that a good man was stolen from them; to whom they gave work and salary, whom they may have trained, and whom – who knows –, they may even have loved?
So one test of our job is this: is it only useful, or are we hurting others with it?
Or what, if we are in a legal fine business? What would we say if we would take someone’s money for parking in a wrong place on Friday, and on Sunday morning he would walk into our church and take the seat right next to us?
The Word of God says:
“whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”
(1 Corinthians 10:31). So the second test of our job is this: is it glorifying God or is it a disgrace for the Kingdom of God?
We live in the world, and we need money, so we have to advance the earthly life. But we still have to keep in mind that we are God’s children and His servants, and we have a commission: to take the Good News of the Kingdom of God to people.
Not every one is called to be a preacher or minister or pastor. But we still have to please God in our job. And even those “in the ministry” have to check, whether they are in God’s will in their denomination or movement or place of service.
Yes, this may mean that I have to give up my job, thus losing my income. That’s right. You may say that if you don’t do it, someone else will. Then let someone else do it! You just trust God, that if you serve Him, He will take care of you and He will provide an acceptable way to get your income.
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”
(Matthew 6:33).
And what if I’m not sure whether my job is acceptable for God or not? Then stop sitting on the fence, and make sure!
“Whatever is not from faith is sin”
(Romans 14:23).
For entire sanctification we have to put our lives in order. We have to give up not only the “big” sins, but the “little,” hidden, hardly visible falsehoods also.
“As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy'”
(1 Peter 1:15).