Christians in the Workplace

Your Work Matters to God

Christians in the Workplace

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In the Bible, the book of Col 3:23-24 says "23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Your work matters to God. Whether it's paid or volunteer, your work matters to God. God calls everyone to work in the marketplace. God doesn't just give a calling to those who work in the church, but God has called all of us to do His work wherever we are. I feel called to work in finance. I don't particularly like numbers and mathematics are not something I do in my spare time for fun, but I realize I have a talent for it and therefore I enjoy it because I am successful at it and that brings me joy and fulfillment.

God has a plan for each of us, and God's calling to do our work may not be evident immediately. God may develop this calling in you until you recognize he is guiding you in a particular vocational direction. When God calls you into a position, he also will equip you for that position. You may need additional training or continuing education, but God will open up the doors and clear paths to make that achievement possible because your occupation is God's purpose for your life. Your vocation is a gift from God.

God has wired each of us with abilities that will aid in working for Him outside the church. We are all given spiritual gifts, a heart for particular ministries and a love of particular types of people that others do not posses. We are as unique as our vocational calling. If you dedicate your life to following God's will for your career, God will move you into positions that you cannot get to by yourself. God will put incentives in your way to direct your path and show you where you need to go.

Most people think getting fired or laid off from a job is a tragedy, and it can be if you're not financially prepared for that move, but closing the door on a vocation may be an opportunity to expand into another field or open the doors to a better work experience. I think each position I hold is a blessing and a lesson for my life; there is a greater purpose for where you are than to earn a paycheck. If you look at your work as using your talents and abilities to serve other people in the name of Jesus, your work becomes a ministry. In Ephesians 2:10, the Bible says, "10 For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." God has made each of us for a particular job, and each time you use your God given talent