Proverbs 22.29
“Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.”
As Christians, we are called to be diligent and disciplined in our work not in order to be saved, but because we are saved. Doing good work is a reflection of God’s work in and through us.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2.8-10)
The “good works” for which the Lord created you include the work you do every day at your job. Since the Lord designed the work week and has commanded us to work six days and rest on the seventh, our daily work is an integral part of his plan for us.
Doing good work doesn’t automatically happen because you are a Christian. In order to be effective at any job, it is necessary to be disciplined in learning and applying attributes that God makes available to you. Keep in mind that acting with discipline is a fruit of the Spirit. It means that we …
- Act with character and integrity.
- Set goals, develop plans, and execute.
- Think, make decisions, and solve problems.
- Adjust and adapt to changing circumstances.
- Be resilient and persistent to overcome obstacles.
- Manage your emotions.
- Communicate, listen, and collaborate with others.
- Learn, grow, and develop skill.
These attributes are available to us because we are made in the image of God. They are necessary disciplines for doing work and doing it well. This is an essential part of the life for which the Lord created you.
The remainder of the 21st century will be a time of unparalleled change. It will be a demanding work environment that requires strong and effective leadership skills and disciplined, skillful work. It will also be a time of challenge and opportunity for Christians in the marketplace and in society, demanding new levels of maturity, strength, and wisdom both personally and professionally. We must be prepared.
Trust God and do good work.
