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This past weekend, Pastor Dave gave a message on finances and taught us how to view them from a biblical perspective. He reminded us of Ecclesiastes 6:9 (NLT), which says, “Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless; it is like chasing the wind.”

Dave went on to paraphrase Colossians 3:23, saying, “As a Christ follower, you are really working for God, and as such you should work hard with all of your heart.” This seemingly simple statement is packed with such a challenge: Do I work at my job as if I’m working for God?

If we’re honest, I think most of us would answer no. Take me. Though I am a person who works at a church—someone you could say is literally working for God—it’s all too easy to forget it.  Instead, I focus on me, on my wants and my needs. Do you ever find yourself slipping into the same mindset?

Here’s a couple of questions to consider: Have you ever taken a too-long lunch? Have you ever showed up late and left early? Have you ever taken a sick day that wasn’t a sick day? Have you ever “phoned in” a project just to get it done?

Most—if not all—of us have done at least one of those things. Now, let’s dive a little deeper: At your job, have you ever taken something from the shared fridge that wasn’t yours? Have you ever ignored a coworker on purpose? Have you ever gossiped (or worse) about your boss?

 

Our jobs are such easy places to become complacent and put in 50 percent day after day. We often don’t consistently bring our best selves to work. However, as Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if working for the Lord.”

How do we start doing that? For any change to take place, self-awareness is key. To begin, get a sheet of paper and list the ways you regularly give less than your all at work: Do you normally take long lunches? Are you always late? Are you the known gossiper around the office? 

After creating your list, read through each item and write a way you can improve—as if you’re working for the Lord. If you usually take a long lunch, keep it to thirty minutes. If you always arrive late, get there a few minutes early. If you gossip, encourage others instead.

 

For a lot of us, it’s a habit not to put forth our best selves at our jobs. Habits take time to break, so be gentle with yourself. Remember, we’re all human; we’re going to have good days and bad. If you happen to sleep in or speed through a project, be sure to give yourself grace, ask for forgiveness, and do better the next day. 

As the Church, let’s be the best employees, business owners, and bosses we can be, whether we’re cashiers, clerks, or CEOs. With God, it doesn’t matter if we’re hourly or salaried employees. He just wants to see our hearts are in it for Him, whether we’re picking up a hammer, typing up a document, or chasing a child. When we bring our best selves to our jobs, we glorify God and become a light to others; just imagine how we can transform our workplaces!