Over the past few weeks, I have listened
to many people complain about their job situations. The reality is that many jobs are few and far
between, so switching jobs is not always an option. People are staying on jobs that they
completely and utterly hate. They are
miserable getting up in the morning, but must still go to work to maintain
their households. Many people lose sleep
over being in a miserable job. Either it
is the people at the job, including the boss, or it is the job itself. What is it about being in spiritual warfare
in the workplace?
Let’s examine why we work and why our workplaces
can be so troubling.
Why do we work?
- It’s part of our career
- It’s a job
- To pass time
- To pay the bills
- It’s my vocation, or my calling
- It’s what I have to do
- It’s what I have been taught
What and who
do you find in the workplace?
- Different attitudes, personalities, habits, desires, experiences, expectations
- Different ethnic backgrounds, gender, sexual orientations, upbringings, social graces, traditions, work ethic
- Religious beliefs - Christians and non-Christians
What is toxic
in the work environment?
- Gossip
- Complaining and grumbling
- Theft
- Pride
- Envy/jealousy
- Anger
- Offense/defense
- Greed
- Lust
- Wrath/malice
- Insecurities
- Competition
- Haters
If you are struggling on the job for whatever reason – if
your job sucks - I would encourage you to adopt the Joseph Business Model.
Joseph’s story is found in Genesis, beginning in the 30th
chapter. He was the first son born to
Jacob and Rachel. Rachel had been barren
for many years, while her sister, Leah had been abundantly fertile. Since they were married to the same man, it
appeared that Rachel’s womb was cursed, while Leah’s was blessed. Rachel felt despised just as Joseph was
despised by his brothers because he was his father’s favorite, which eventually
led them to sell him into slavery. Joseph
was sold twice and ended up in the home of Potiphar, an officer of Pharoah and
captain of the palace guard.
Joseph was promoted to Potiphar’s personal attendant
because he was trusted, faithful, obedient, intelligent, possessed integrity,
and had a strong work ethic. Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his household and
everything he owned. Under Joseph’s care,
the household was blessed, for God was always with Joseph. The Bible says that Joseph was well built and
handsome and after some time, Potiphar’s wife took notice of him. But Joseph remained loyal to Potiphar.
After a false accusation of rape by Potiphar’s wife,
Joseph ended up in prison. He then
became the warden’s right hand while still a prisoner. He interpreted dreams for the cupbearer and
the baker. This is when Joseph’s
spiritual gift of interpreting dreams really becomes useful. He interprets a dream for Pharaoh, just as he
had done with the two prisoners – with two very different outcomes. Keep in mind that Joseph’s brothers also despised
him because he had a spiritual gift that they could not understand.
After two years of sitting in a prison, Joseph becomes
Pharoah’s chief administrator, or the 2nd highest official in their
government. By then Joseph is
30-years-old. About thirteen years had
passed since he had been sold into slavery.
When a seven-year famine hits Egypt, Joseph ultimately
saves his family, including his deceitful brothers, from starving to death. Joseph eventually recognizes that God sent
him to Egypt - and not his brothers who had sold him. He states:
Genesis
45:5-9
5 And now, do not be distressed and
do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save
lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two
years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years
there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God
sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save
your lives by a great deliverance.[a]
8 “So then, it was not you who sent me
here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire
household and ruler of all Egypt. 9 Now hurry back
to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made
me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay.
We could
learn a lot from Joseph. Regardless of
our work situations, we are called to diligence, to be trustworthy, to be
loyalty, to function in a spirit of integrity, and to respect and honor God and
others while on the job. God stayed with
Joseph no matter what his work status was – from lowly slave to ruler of all
Egypt.
Josephs’
formula was:
Faithfulness
+ integrity + work ethic = increase
Be mindful that when we do
good work, someone will remember us. Our
work ethic will be the measure of how people see our character. Joseph could have given up at any time, but
he remained steadfast in his character and did so while laboring. He also realized that his entire struggle
really wasn’t about him at all...it was about what he was supposed to do for others.
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