Living By Faith Blog

Living By Faith At Work

For too many believers, faith stops when they go to work.

They pursue faith while doing what they see as spiritual things — like ministry, battling temptation, or Bible-reading.

But they don’t intentionally trust Jesus Christ while they are at work.

In ALL Things At ALL Times

But listen to what Paul says in 2Cor 9:8 —

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Through faith alone in Christ alone, God has abounding grace for you in all things at all times, including when you —

• interview a new hire
• mop the floor
• file medical charts
• change the diaper
• meet a client
• train your sales team

So here are three ways God’s grace can transform your work —

God’s Grace Can Make Your Work Meaningful

Imagine you were a slave in 1st-century Colossae whose job was feeding pigs and cleaning latrines.  Not the most meaningful work.

But look at what Paul tells slaves in Colossians 3:22-24 —

Slaves … whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men … You are serving the Lord Christ.

So whatever position you find yourself in, even if you are a slave — it’s Jesus Christ who calls you to do your job.

It’s Jesus who says “feed the pigs” — and who smiles as you feed them in obedience to Him.

It’s Jesus who says “file these medical records” — and who is pleased as you file them for His glory.

It’s Jesus who says “paint this house” — and who delights as you work with your heart set on Him.

It’s Jesus Christ, Your Savior, who calls you to do every part of your job.

It doesn’t get more meaningful than that.

God’s Grace Can Motivate You In Your Work

Let’s say you have been asked to create a budget for your department.  But you hate budgets.  You’d rather do anything else than a budget.

So what should you do?

Understand that Jesus Christ stands before you with grace to motivate you.

Look again at Colossians 3:22-24

Slaves … whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.

To work heartily means to work with motivation — passion — enthusiasm.

So why would slaves clean latrines heartily?

Or why would you work on a budget heartily?

It’s because you know the Lord will reward your latrine-cleaning or budget-planning with the inheritance — more joy in Him forever.

This reward isn’t earned.  It’s always by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

But every part of your job done by faith will be graciously rewarded with more joy in Christ forever.

So when you lack motivation — set your heart on the reward.  Ask Him to help you feel the wonder of the inheritance.

Praying that way can turn latrines and spreadsheets into holy ground.

God’s Grace Can Give You Wisdom At Work

How often do you face a problem at work, and don’t know what to do?  So when that happens, do you understand that Jesus Christ is standing before you ready to give you all the wisdom you need?

That’s what God promises in James 1:5 —

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Now we DO have to ask.  But if we will — then God promises to give us ALL the wisdom we need.

He might give wisdom through others’ counsel.  Or through listing pros and cons and weighing alternatives.  Or through speaking supernaturally to us by the Holy Spirit.  Or by having us do a Google-search.

But He promises — if we will ask, He will always give us all the wisdom we need.

So — when you lack wisdom — do you neglect to ask God for wisdom?  Do you assume you’ve got to figure it out yourself?

Don’t do that.

Instead, see Jesus Christ standing before you with all the wisdom you need for every work problem.

See that — and then ask Him.

He will give you all the wisdom you need.

(And here’s a post on three more ways God’s grace can transform your work.)

Thoughts?  Comments?  Feedback? 

I’d love to hear — leave a reply below.  Thanks!

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And here’s some related posts you might find helpful —

• How God Saved My Sermon Preparation From Disaster
• It's Dangerous Being a Pastor
• Promises for overcoming procrastination

(Picture is from everystockphoto by Axel-D.)