MONDAY MORNING PULPITS

MONDAY MORNING PULPITS
To things bother me a lot when the subject of Christians and their work is mentioned. First, how few are genuinely happy in their jobs. Second, how frequently I hear about Christians who are poor workers on their jobs. Some employers have even told me that they prefer to not hire Christians. Wow … That’s quite an indictment! As I probe for reasons, here’s what is said.
They tend to be presumptuous – they take advantage of a Christian boss… .
They are often preoccupied with other things – witnessing, church, whatever… .
Frankly … I can’t trust them when I’m not around. The last one I hired was just plain dishonest…
I knew a Christian man who bragged on always being late to work.
Okay, so these may be the exceptions … so this represents a very small minority. I’m still bothered. For every “exception” there’s a host of offenses and a lot of hard feelings created. One bad apple can still spoil a whole barrel … if it’s rotten. Show me a lazy, irritating Christian on the job and I’ll show you an office or store or customer or shop that isn’t interested in his message. Like it or not, the world watches us with scrutiny. The believer at work is under constant surveillance. That’s our number one occupational hazard. And when we speak of our Savior and the life He offers, everything we say is filtered through the life that they see us living.
The very best platform upon which we may build a case for Christianity at work rests on six massive pillars: integrity, faithfulness, punctuality, quality workmanship, a pleasant attitude, and enthusiasm. Hire such a person and it will only be a matter of time before business will improve . . . people will be impressed . . . and Christianity will begin to seem important.
Scripture for that? Sure. How about 1 Corinthians 10:31:
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
or Colossians 3:17:
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
or Matthew 5:16:
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
It will help you do a super job if you will remember that there’s no sacred-secular distinction supported in Scripture. Titus 1:15 says: To the pure, all things are pure… .
That means your Monday-through-Friday employment is pure, it’s sacred – just as sacred as your Sunday activities. To the Christian all of life is sacred! Paul wasn’t writing only to preachers when he expressed these immortal words:
I, therefore . . . entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called (Ephesians 4:1).
Christian friend, your work is your calling … it’s your ordained responsibility . . . it’s your pulpit. Say, how’s the ministry coming along?