When it comes to the spreading of the gospel, the work place is not always seen as a harvest field. Surprisingly, sowing the seed in the work place can be done in a number of ways, something we have been learning about in Sunday morning bible class. The book we are using, entitled Muscle and a Shovel, tells the story of two men, Mike and Randall, who work at the same company. Randall seeks to share the gospel with Mike his co-worker. One of the things that caught Mike’s attention was how Randall conducted himself in the work place. He saw that Randall “was upbeat, smiling and working at his consistent above and beyond pace.” Randall’s example helped to bring credibility to the message he was sharing, because the message is not just about being saved, but also about being transformed.

Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. Colossians 3:22

I realize that we are not “bondservants” (i.e., slaves), but one can’t help to see the parallels when it comes to the work place. The first thing the bondservant is to do is willingly obey their master (i.e., boss), even if that master is “harsh” with them (1st Peter 2:18). I suspect that most, if not all of us, have experienced a worldly boss in our life time, maybe even now. How can we do our best when the boss is unreasonable? Do it because you respect Him, especially when respecting the boss seems impossible..

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

Typically, why do people work hard? For a raise? For recognition? When we work hard, setting a good example in the work place, it should not be for a raise or to impress the boss: It should be to glorify God. Once again, we do it for Him! For the Christian, one of our objectives as we, “walk as children of light”, should be to pursue those things “acceptable (or pleasing) to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:10) Pleasing Him does not go unseen; but rather, such effort is rewarded. And what about that unreasonable boss that mistreats you? We can be assured that “he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.” (Colossians 3:25) God will always right the wrong! Knowing this, our attention can be on setting the best example at the workplace, so we might have the chance to talk about Christ.

Dennis

Click here to listen to the sermon Working for the Gospel