In Two Minds
Most of us tend to be somewhat double-minded about work. We may believe that Jesus is Lord of our whole life, including our work. Yet asked about our Christian life, we immediately think of bible study, prayer and church activities. Or we allow our work to become an idol by letting it define our sense of worth and dictate our relationship to family, community and church.
We may agree that God does not distinguish between secular work and Christian ministry, that both are a means of co-operating with God in his work of sustaining and blessing mankind. But subconsciously we are prone to rank occupations. A pastor, we feel, must earn more merit with God than a surgeon, who in turn is of greater value to God's kingdom than the grocer or the panel-beater. And we quietly hope that if our children don't become evangelists, they will at least take up an occupation whose value is recognised by the world with a large salary or high status.
We may believe that it is our attitude to work which is important, and that voluntary or unpaid work can be just as worthwhile as paid employment. But those who are active but 'unemployed', or in unpaid work such as caring for children or relatives at home, still feel the sting of not having their work recognised by the world. The lack of a title and a pay packet often robs them of a sense of significance. Even those who have an income from doing an assortment of part-time jobs can feel that not having a career with a name and path for promotion diminishes their satisfaction in doing their work.
We tell ourselves that our work place is our mission field, that it provides a wonderful opportunity to witness. We may tell others about our faith. But we are still sorely tempted to adopt some of the same methods used by our peers to get ahead. We work to impress our supervisors rather than to serve them, or adopt a 'near enough is good enough' attitude in order to improve our output. We gossip and gripe about our colleagues. We back away from confronting others about unethical practices. After all, our family income depends on us keeping our job.
Outside Pressures
The nature and significance of work in our society has been undergoing huge changes in the last few decades. Both Christians and non-Christians face pressures which a previous generation could hardly imagine. High unemployment rates, a shift from union-won awards to individual contracts, the automation not only of industrial processes but also many services such as banking, and an emphasis on profit and productivity rather than loyalty and quality have left many employees feeling insecure.
Paradoxically, this leads to a devaluing of work, the so-called 'unemployment mentality'. Employees who have no security find it difficult to put their hearts into their work. Instead they work to keep their job. They work longer hours, take on extra study, and spend less time interacting with their fellow employees. But they lack commitment to the work itself.
Many women feel 'damned if they do, damned if they don't' about their work. If they go out to work they are accused of neglecting their children and taking jobs from the young unemployed. ( In reality, most women still work in occupations which the young unemployed would be unable or unwilling to fill.) If they stay at home they feel that they are wasting their talents and education, missing out on social stimulation and depriving their family of the extra income.
Increasing the amount of part-time work has been suggested as a way of sharing a limited number of jobs among the workforce. It can provide the best of both worlds - the stimulation and income which come from working, together with time to spend with family or in other activities. But for some, part-time work is frustrating. It lacks the status and recognition given to full-time work, does not allow time on the job to develop new ideas and skills, and if combined with other 'part-time' employment, may add up to more than a full day's work.
The self-employed face a different set of problems. Dealing with employees who have no sense of commitment to their work, competition from rivals with multi-national businesses behind them, ever more complicated government regulations, and the temptation to let work become the main focus in life are just a few of their difficulties.
Meanwhile an ever-rising standard of living (measured in material terms) has meant that yesterday's wants have become today's needs. Two incomes are needed to pay off a mortgage. Owning two cars is no longer a luxury, but a necessity, if both parents are to get to work and the children to school. A computer is almost essential, not just for the children's education, but for their parent's after-hours work and studies.
Working Together
Faced with these sorts of pressures and attitudes, how can Christians avoid conforming to the world's standards? How are we to maintain a godly attitude to our own work and that of others?
The first step is to consider how we actually view our work (whether paid or unpaid). What significance does it have in God's eyes? Do we give it the same significance? Are we letting Christ be Lord of our work? We need to look at who or what shapes our attitude to the work itself, to those we work with, to our customers or clients, to our need for rest and recreation. Are we relying on God to provide for our needs or are we relying on our own efforts?
We then need to encourage one another as much as possible. We are good at encouraging one another's 'Christian' activities. We pray for those leading bible studies and ministry teams. But we also need to pray for the work which occupies up to forty or more hours of our time each week - work which God has provided.
Those who work alongside non-Christians need encouragement to honour the Lord by the way in which they work. They need to be encouraged to speak about Christ in a manner which serves those who hear. They may face daily temptation or persecution, and need the support of other Christians to go on working 'as to the Lord'.
Those who are facing difficult decisions about what career to choose, or trying to decide whether or not to change their job also need encouragement and support. Christian friends can be invaluable in giving insight into what gifts and talents God has given us and how they might be used. At times, godly wisdom could mean encouraging someone to stay in a job which they find difficult, by helping them to change their attitude to their work. At other times it may mean encouraging someone to trust God and take the risk of starting a new career.
Christians who are unemployed or in unpaid work need encouragement to value themselves and their efforts, despite their lack of worldly rewards. But they may also be great encouragers, using their time and their experience of trusting Godís provision to help others.
By Dr Stella Budrikis
© Copyright 1998