Hard-Working Evangelicals

The apostle Paul, in 2nd Thessalonians 3, encouraged the people to demonstrate a passion and diligence for their work:
7For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you,8nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.9We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow.
Also, in that section of the chapter, he addresses those that are idle, that did not have a willingness to work. In our desire to bring honor to the name of the Lord and to reflect positively on Christ, it's important that we recognize the opportunities that God has given us through the work that we do.   We have been uniquely gifted by Him, and often our occupations give us the chance to use that unique skill set.   Our vocation gives us the platform through which we touch lives with the gospel and as we approach our work with the ambition to serve others and honor God, we become effective and can fulfill what He has called us to do.

We serve the Lord from the heart, and this applies to the work that we do.   Colossians 3 lays out the attitude toward and the nature of our work:
17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
And...
22Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.23And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

The Evangelical Alliance has released a new report called, "Working Faithfully?", and it states that it provides fascinating insights into evangelicals' experiences and opinions of the world of work, including views on the living wage, job satisfaction and perceptions of discrimination in the workplace. It also explores whether the Church really supports working people and cares about the unemployed.   The panel was apparently comprised of evangelical Christians from the United Kingdom.

The Alliance isolates some of these headline statistics:

• 84 per cent feel valued for the work they do (compared to 59 per cent in a similar government survey of civil servants)
• 61 per cent say a sense of calling is very important to them in a job, while only 22 per cent say a good rate of pay
• Only 57 per cent felt their church encouraged and prepared them to witness and evangelize at work
• 52 per cent say they often have opportunities to share their faith while at work
• 7 per cent work more than 60 hours a week and 10 per cent have taken more than a few months off work due to stress

The website, Christian Today, says that the report suggests evangelicals are very committed to their jobs, with 47 per cent having been in their job for more than 10 years and 27 per cent of these for more than 20 years. Some 62 per cent have never been dismissed or lost their job.

Forty per cent of evangelicals say their church offers practical support to unemployed people in the community.

So, as perhaps you have enjoyed a day off today for Columbus Day, we can reflect on the nature of our work.  I think it is telling here that over 6-in-10 of respondents say that a sense of calling is important to them in their job.   And, less than 25% identify the pay rate as very important.   Interestingly enough, the survey also indicated that just under 59% said that the ability to help others was a leading factor.   

We can recognize that to work at a job presents a number of opportunities.   One opportunity is to fulfill our calling.  Our job is a unique gift from God.  I believe we are called to make the most of it and to do that job with excellence.  After all, the Bible tells us that whatever we do, we are to do it for the Lord.    93% said that they were interested in their work.   The Lord places us in job situations in order to bring honor to Him and to utilize the skills that He has given to us.   

We are also called to live out our faith in the workplace.   Over half of respondents related that they had opportunities to share their faith.   And, 14% said they had met hostility from colleagues on account of their faith or a stand they had taken on an ethical issue.   Only 9% said they had faced it from management.   If we believe that God has strategically placed us in a particular place of work, we recognize that one purpose is to shine the light of Christ - to live out the Christian faith, and to operate in a manner pleasing to Him.

And, we have the chance to demonstrate an attitude of service.   We recognize that we can serve our fellow employees and our communities through the work that we do - and almost 6 out of 10 acknowledge that.   He also calls us to work with diligence - over one-third of those surveyed said they worked over 40 hours a week - you have to recognize your own limitations, but this survey does point out that those in the church and charity sector work the longest hours.   If we are passionate about the space to which we are called, we will be highly motivated - we will attempt to glorify God, to demonstrate our faith in our work, and reflect a servant's heart.