The Christian Worker By Udeme Anosike

"The one who stays on the job has food on the table; the witless chase whims and fancies....."(1)
"A lazy life is an empty life, but "early to rise" gets the job done...."(2)
"God hates cheating in the marketplace; He loves it when business is aboveboard....."(3)
These are some of the many tidbits of wisdom provided in the Scriptures for the Christian worker or business person. Our God knows that we live in the world and need to earn a living to survive; consequently, He provides abundant counsel in His Word to help us succeed and excel at our work.
Today, many Christians lack wisdom on how to apply the values of their faith to their work or businesses. Some believe that life at work is separate from life in church and therefore put on one "cloak" when engaging in spiritual activities and a completely different one when engaging in business or work-related activities. By so doing, they not only dishonor God, but miss out on an important and fundamental aspect of our Christian faith, namely, we are called to be salt, light, and a blessing to our world.(4)
SALT
As "salt", our Christ-centered lives should add flavor to our workplaces. What a pleasure it is to walk into an office or a shop and be welcomed by a friendly, polite, and knowledgeable employee. What glory it brings to God when that person is one of His children, a Christian who allows the fruit of the Spirit to flow through him or her in the marketplace.
Organizations such as offices, charities, schools, and stores are never without problems and faults, obviously because they are run by imperfect human beings. Even among the best, there are usually ample reasons to complain or become negative after we have been around them for a period of time. But, how pleasant and refreshing it is to find a handful of people who, in the face of those problems and faults, choose to exercise patience and give the other party some benefit of the doubt. What honor it brings to God when such positive attitudes emanate from the Christians who work there or are being served by those organizations!
LIGHT
As "light" we have the task of bringing solid Christian values into the darkness and corruption that pervades our world today. As we demonstrate integrity, transparency, kindness, and justice in our jobs and business dealings, we shine the light of Christ within our circles of interaction. For example, it is not uncommon to find business owners who slash prices to secure projects or make sales, only to add them back later as "unexpected expenses." While such unethical business practices may be considered insignificant in the secular world, they are unacceptable in the kingdom of God. What a joy it is, therefore, to find Christian business people who actively uphold the values of integrity and truth as they offer services to the public.
BLESSINGS
As "blessings", we have been given the grace to bring relief to difficulties in the world around us. Through our obedient and established relationships with God, we can seek and receive wisdom and spiritual breakthrough to help our businesses and workplaces survive today's harsh economic conditions. What a pleasure it is to have a team leader who not only works diligently to ensure completion of tasks, but also lays her entire project and team members in the hands of the Almighty, seeking His favor and blessing and invoking promises such as, "If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands ... the Lord will ...bless the work of your hands."(5)
We often under-estimate the value that a genuine Christian can bring to a workplace or business environment. In reality, the virtues needed to build successful businesses (excellence, integrity, respect, customer friendliness, accountability, and more) are similar to the character traits that the Holy Spirit develops in Christians as we mature in our relationships with God. When we follow wholeheartedly, He builds in us qualities that make us valuable assets, not only to the body of Christ, but also to our work places, businesses, and the world at large. Like He did for Joseph, David, and Daniel, He transforms us into people who bring honor and glory to God both in spiritual pursuits and in work and business-related endeavors.
" let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven"Matthew 5:16.
1. Proverbs 12:11 The Message
2. Proverbs 12:27 The Message
3. Proverbs 11:1  The Message
4. Matthew 5:13-16
5. Deuteronomy 28:1,12
Udeme Anosike has journeyed with the Lord for over twenty years. She is an author and teacher of God's Word. Her heart's desire is to help Christians serve God faithfully and live victoriously.
Website: www.refreshingwearysouls.com
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com CHRISTIAN">http://www.faithwriters.com">CHRISTIAN WRITER

- http://www.ez2buildsites.com" target="_new">MAKE YOUR OWN WEBSITE

How to cope in the unpleasant workplace By Marie Grossett

It's Monday morning the alarm goes off; it's that time again to get up to go to work. You slowly wake up, sluggishly get out of the bed unenthusiastic about going to a job that you dislike, but those bills need to be paid and the family needs looking after.

If you love your job then that's great you'll be excited about getting up in the morning. But if you were like me getting up to a job you're not passionate about, and where the management aren't friendly this can be an unpleasant situation. I know I've been there.

I use to work in customer services at my local council. To me every day getting up was a chore. Don't get me wrong I was grateful to God that he gave me a job, but in all honesty I didn't like it. It wasn't my passion to hear people complaining and having self pity, it wasn't my passion to work for people who didn't even give me the time of day only speaking to me if they needed something done. So how did I cope?

Ephesians 6:5 'Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.'

Every morning before I'd go to work I would have to read that scripture. I had to remind myself that I needed to do the job I was given to the best of my ability, I'm there as a servant of the Lord to be a light in the darkness. All I had to do was just be obedient, get on with my work and be polite to everybody even if they were not polite to me.

Once I started doing that, I stopped moaning about the fact I had to get up to 'go to this place,' as I use to say and just got on with it, I began to feel much happier going to work.
Sometimes as Christians we forget it's not about us it's about God. He put us in our workplace for a reason, maybe were suppose to meet somebody for a particular season, maybe we need to witness to a particular person, whatever it is you are there for God's purpose not your own.

If you really want to leave your job and find something better pray that God would give you something else, but in the meantime do the job you're in wholeheartedly. Remember you are there for Christ and to be an ambassador for him. I know its hard finding the motivation to do something that you're not passionate about, but you can do all things through Christ that strengthens you.

Next time you get up to go to work rather than moan say 'Lord thank you for this job, give me the strength and the enthusiasm to do this job to the best of my ability. Lead me to someone that I could encourage or witness to today as Lord I'm in this place for a time and a season, for your purpose, it's all about you Lord and not about me for I am a mere servant called to do your work,'

Remember there are some people out there wishing they had a job. Let's not take for granted what we have, as God sees how we handle the small things first before he gives us the bigger things.

May God bless you this day and thank you for reading the article.


Marie Grossett aka Vanessa Grossett is a published Author of the book 'Don't Look Back', Published by Tate Publishing & Enterprises. She is also the Director of Keeping It Real Magazine the magazine.

http://www.womenscommunity.co.uk


CHRISTIAN WRITER

MAKE YOUR OWN WEBSITE

http://vgrossett.wordpress.com