Having worked in a variety of different work situations, I have had a lot of insight as to the work ethic of the average person. There are almost always going to be those who slack on the job and fail to invest any amount of effort into their work. Enter what I'm calling the First-World Christian: he is an excellent student of the Word, likely a leader in the Church in some capacity, probably leads his own Bible study, and in general looks like a so-called "super-Christian." At his regular job, though, we see a different person. He grows impatient with the menial tasks given to him and likely considers his job to be below him. He claims to think it is a misuse of time that might be better spent studying the Word or sharing the Gospel or doing other things "real Christians" should be doing. Though he works with non-Christians in his work place, they likely have been placed under the category of "Not My Problem" or "Unreachable." To the First-World Christian, the work of God is done pure through the work of the functions of the Church.
A Weak Showing
I am constantly baffled by those that surround me in the workplace. Now, this is not to say that all those with whom I work are slackers, but there are several individuals who show their true colors in shoddy workmanship and spotty attendance. Now, especially in this generation, it is not uncommon for people to be bad workers, but what irritates me the most is when those lazy workers claim to be empowered by the God of the universe. How dare you claim to be strengthened by God, when you shrug off the slightest of burdens before they even have time to settle on your shoulders? Surely the God who, on countless occasions, used the weakest of a group to perform the greatest of tasks. Was not Gideon, the mighty warrior of God, considered to be the weakest of the weak?
These workers who openly declare Christ do far more damage to the visible image of God (Christians) than they can ever remedy through the work of the Church. In emphasizing their work in the Church, they have neglected their role in loving and ministering to the world.
Work as a Mission
As Christians working in the world alongside those who do not share our beliefs, we hold a considerable amount of power in how they view Christ. Those non-Christians who commonly rub shoulders with First-World Christians understandably view Christians as sanctimonious and arrogant. Those who work with Christians who are constantly a benefit to their workplace either have a good view of Christians or at least have nothing bad to say about them. Do we not have such a great opportunity to witness to others in the good work we do and the care we show in our actions? I took on a class called Theology of Work and the theme that was underlying in every single message was this: there is no sacred/secular dichotomy. Meaning the work we do for the Church directly is no more holy or ordained than the work we do for McDonalds. So long as we are working for the right purpose, we are working in the service of the Lord. "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).
So, Christians, I beg of you: treat your work like God commanded you to do it. Don't forget about it and skip it in favor of churchy things, because that is not what God wants. God commands us to work and to work well. So go out and make a good impression. Go out and save a life.
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