Despite the rise of the work-at-home movement, the vast majority of people spend at least 40 hours per week at work. Many people work upwards of 50 or more hours each week. It is no exaggeration to say that most of our waking hours are spent in the workplace. The second place we spend the majority of our waking hours is with our family. While there are many books dealing with the Christian and their family life, there are noticeably fewer that deal with the Christian disciple in the workplace. How do we keep the faith at work? How do we live an authentically Christian life in the workplace?

Without out a doubt, the answer to these questions will vary with each individual and the diversity of worplaces. The automobile factory is a very different place than a hospital and a university is very different from the retail sales store. However, I believe there are principles we all can, and should, follow as Christians in the workplace. But why? Because as Christians, all of our life is called to be sacred before God. All of our life comes under His authority when we claim Him as our Lord. Nowhere do I think is this better summed up than in the Westminster Shorter Catechism’s first question, “What is the chief end of man?” The answer is, “To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” (Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 1). Just as we are called to glorify God in our Sunday worship and in our families, so we are called to glorify Him in our work. Colossians 3:17 says, “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17, ESV). “Everything” includes our work. So here are a few practical things for your consideration.

Attitude and Outlook

As Christians the first thing that should stand out about us at work is our attitude and outlook. Paul tells the Philippians, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8). Workplaces are often challenging places to be positive, much less to keep the “mind of Christ” (Philippians 2:5). But that is our calling. One of the chief ways we fight the natural tendency toward pessimism and defeatism is to set our minds on “these things” Paul lists. In Proverbs we read, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23, NIV). So guard your heart and your mind.

Diligence and Excellence

From this Christlike attitude flows diligence and excellence. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (ESV). Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your work to the Lord.” (ESV) Richard Baxter once noted, “Be diligent in your callings, and spend no time in idleness, and perform your labours with holy minds, to the glory of God, and in obedience to his commands.” (https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/original-puritan-work-ethic) We Christians should produce the very best work possible because our work is dedicated and done “as for the Lord”.

Gossip and Complaining

The workplace is often an environment in which gossip, grumbling, and complaining thrive. I can readily acknowledge that not every workplace is a joy. Some jobs have a very toxic and dysfunctional culture. But the truth is that gossip and complaining do not improve anything. In fact, these all-too-human tendencies make the culture worse, not better. St. Paul tells us, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” (Philippians 2:14-15, ESV). Avoiding and resisting the urge to gossip, grumble, or complain is one simple but profound way you can contribute to improving your workplace culture.

Reasonableness

We live in a very unreasonable day. The Christian steadiness and reasonableness in the midst of very contentious and stressful times stands out. Once more the letter to the Philippians encourages us to, “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.” Romans 12:18 says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” The society around us is becoming more and more reactionary. That is not our calling. Instead of fostering a reactionary mindset, the Christian fosters a reasonable mindset. Because our hope and our faith is not based in the things of this world, we are able to move through this world with a steady confidence in the Lord. Dare to be a reasonable radical!

Witness

Living a Biblically consistent life leads us to being a good witness at our workplace. As we live our faith, our lives become a living sermon that others can read. As we take our Sunday selves into our Monday mornings, the Gospel goes with us. We are all called to this kind of witnessing. Jesus himself urges us to this in Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (ESV). We have been given the Holy Spirit to help us be his witnesses (see Acts 1:8). It is amazing how simply living your faith, quietly and diligently, will speak volumes. Be ready to speak (see 1 Peter 3:15), but don’t underestimate the power of your witness and how well it will speak for you.

Now What?

Start with small simple changes. Pick one area above to focus on and seek to simply do the next right thing. This doesn’t mean that things will get easier overnight. Not at all. Usually seeking to live faithfully makes things more difficult in the short-term. Here’s how Paul puts it in Galatians, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9, ESV). So don’t give up. Realize too that there may be times when changing jobs makes sense for the health of your soul. There may be other times when sticking it out in a difficult situation is what God is calling you to do. Seek to prayerfully discern which it might be for you.

By all means, take your faith into your workplace. Do so with care and compassion for others with love. There is probably nowhere else in your life where you rub elbows with so many non-Christians or non-practicing Christians. The potential for you to do good is virtually unlimited. My friends, keep the faith.