Being Christian at Work

…Rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord…

Ephesians 6:7–8

Are you a Christian at work, or do you leave your faith at home?

This practical section in Ephesians of ethical behavior takes the gospel into these areas of life where we spend the most time — family and work. Paul wrote about slaves and masters, but by using the extremes in work relationships he also includes all others. We should strive to be of use in this world, to engage in legal and helpful enterprises, to use our opportunities to serve our fellow human beings.

To the authority over us we should obey their instructions with sincerity, not half-heartedly but completely, “Rendering service … as to the Lord and not to man.” If we moan and groan our way through the work day, complaining about everything asked of us, we are not fulfilling this biblical command. We should, out of a commitment to Christ, work hard and sincerely.

To those we are responsible for, who are under our authority, we should treat them with justice, respect, and fairness. One of the constant themes of the prophets in the Old Testament was justice for everyone, that each person would be treated equally and with respect.

Only when both of these roles of leadership and follow-ship are given their proper emphasis is the picture complete.

Something else, quite profound actually, is taught in this passage — something that is also emphasized throughout the Bible: God rewards good behavior. The way we treat others comes back upon us in this life. Though this world is far from perfect, it is a general rule that God has interwoven into the universe that those who respect others and are fair and kind toward others will be treated with kindness and fairness themselves. Jesus said, “For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:2).

And in the afterlife the Bible does speak of rewards for faithfulness here. Jesus said, “The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward” (Matthew 10:41–42).

The nature of our heavenly reward is not our salvation, for that was purchased by Christ on Calvary (Rev. 5:9–10). Some in fact, will be saved and have very little faithfulness in life to show for it, “as one escaping through the flames” (1 Cor 3:15). Every true believer will bear some fruit — true faith must express itself in actions (1 John 3:6) — but Christ never says how much fruit we must have. Everyone of us is saved not because of the good things we have done but through our faith in the good thing that Christ has done in dying for our sins and that good thing that He continues to do by interceding for us before the Father (1 John 2:2).

Nor will our reward be any thing that we take pride in or boast about, for the twenty-four elders, who symbolize us, cast their crowns before the Lamb and say that He is worthy (Rev. 4:10–11). The nature of the reward for our faithfulness here will be two-fold in heaven. First, is just to hear the affirmation from Christ, “Well done!” Justice must be done and be seen to be done in the universe, and there will come a moment in the end of time when God sets the record straight in a grand and public witness to all. Our failures are forgiven, but the good things we have done on this earth were really done through Christ and by Christ. So for the sake of His glory our good works must be recognized.

Second, is increased responsibility in heaven, as in Christ’s parable teaches. “Well done, good and faithful servant,” replied the master in the parable. “You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness” (Matthew 25:21). To be made happy here by what makes God happy prepares us for heaven — to share His burdens, to weep for what He weeps for, to be moved by what moves Him, and to rejoice in what He rejoices in.

So today we should think about life from God’s perspective, we should value people because He does, and value the truth of His word because it is His word. Seek to be respectful and obedient and trustworthy with the people and situations God has placed in your hands. You will not lose your reward.