design – Page 12 – Called To Work

20: Proverbs 31 and work (Proverbs 31:10-31)

November 6, 2023

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 31:10-31

A remarkable connection between the book of Proverbs and the world of work occurs at the end of the book. Lady Wisdom, who we meet at the beginning of the book, reappears in street clothes in the final 22 verses of the book (Prov.31:10-31) as a living, breathing woman, termed “the virtuous woman” in the KJV.

The text focuses on the woman’s work as an entrepreneur with a cottage industry and its servants/workers to manage. Proverbs 31:10-31 does not merely apply to the workplace; it takes place in a workplace. This woman of strength is shown as a wise worker throughout Proverbs: she is trustworthy, diligent, shrewd, generous, just, and guards her tongue. She functions in the book as an affirmation of the dignity of every person’s work.

As always in the book of Proverbs, the way of wisdom flows out of the fear of the Lord. After all the Valiant Woman’s abilities and virtues are described and honored, the source of her wisdom is revealed. “A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (Prov. 31:30).

Prayer: Lord, may excellence in my work arise from my fear of you and love for you. Amen.

For Further Exploration: Read What do the Proverbs have to do with Work? from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

19: When unscrupulous people succeed (Psalm 49:16–19)

October 30, 2023

Scripture Reading: Psalm 49:16-19

Sometimes we think that the righteous should obviously do well in life while the wicked just as obviously fall into ruin. But things don’t always follow this script. When the wicked thrive, Christians feel that the world has turned upside down and that their faith has proven vain.

In hard times we are apt to look to those who have prospered by corrupt practices or by cronyism and believe that we must do the same if we are to escape poverty. But we in fact only guarantee that we will share in their disgrace before people and their condemnation before God.

If we do decide to make God our trust, we must do so fully and not superficially. It is a bad thing for someone to use fraud in order to gain wealth. It is a terrible thing to do this while feigning allegiance to God.

We would do well to ask what others see when they observe our work and the way we do it. Do we justify taking ethical shortcuts, or discrimination, or treating people badly by babbling about “blessing” or “God’s will” or “favor?” Perhaps we should be more reluctant to ascribe our apparent successes to God’s will and be more ready to say simply, “I don’t deserve it.”

Prayer: Jesus, sometimes wicked ways seem to lead to success. Help me fully trust in you and your ways, rather than in corruption, to succeed in the ways that matter. May my heart be set on you. Amen.

For Further Exploration: Read Anxiety When Unscrupulous People Succeed (Psalms 49, 50, 52, 62) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

18: Treat others with respect and dignity at work (Job 31:13–15)

October 24, 2023

Scripture Reading: Job 31:13-15

A godly employer will treat employees with respect and dignity. This is particularly evident in the way Job takes his servants’ complaints seriously (Job 31:13-15). Job correctly points out that those in power will have to stand before God to defend their treatment of those under them.

God will inquire from subordinates how their superiors treated them. Superiors would be wise to ask their subordinates the same question while it is still possible to remedy their errors. The mark of true and humble followers of God is their openness to the possibility that they are in the wrong, which is most evidenced by their willingness to field any and all legitimate complaints.

Our time has seen great struggles for equality in the workplace with respect to race, religion, nationality, sex, class and other factors. The Book of Job anticipates these struggles by thousands of years. Yet Job goes beyond merely formal equality of demographic categories. He sees the equal dignity of every person in his household. We will become like Job when we treat each person with all the dignity and respect due to a child of God, regardless of our personal feelings or the sacrifice required on our part.

This truth does not mean Christian bosses should not establish high standards in the workplace. However, it does require that the ethos of any workplace relationship be characterized by respect and dignity, especially on the part of the powerful.

Prayer: Jesus, may I treat each person I work with and meet with the respect and dignity due to a child of God, made in your image. Amen.

For Further Exploration: Read d from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

17: Taking risks at work (Esther 3:5-15, Esther 4:5-16)

October 16, 2023

Scripture Reading: Esther 3:5-15; 4:5-16

While Esther’s entrance to Ahasuerus’ palace granted access to power and influence, she concealed her Jewish ancestry at the urging of her cousin Mordecai. She did not seem interested in whether God had any plan or purpose for her there. In fact, God is not even mentioned in the book of Esther. But God had a plan anyway.

Mordecai after some time came into conflict with Ahasuerus’ highest official, Haman. Haman responded by plotting to kill not only Mordecai, but the whole Jewish people. Esther protested that getting involved could jeopardize her position, and even her life. Mordecai responded, “Do not think that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.”

Esther could continue to conceal her Jewishness and spend the rest of her days as first lady of Xerxes’ harem. Or she could take her life in her hands and do what she could to save her people. Esther took on the service of intervening with the king, risking her position, her possessions, her life.

Serving God requires risking our positions. If you use your position to serve God, you might lose your position and your future prospects. Yet the truth is our positions are also at risk if we don’t serve God. It is no foolishness to risk what you cannot keep in order to gain what you cannot lose. Work done in God’s service can never truly be lost.

How can God use you today?

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for my place in the world at such a time as this. Though I am limited, help me to use the power and position I do have to bring about your good purposes today. I submit my life to you. I place my hope in you. Amen.

For Further Exploration: Read Esther and Work from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

16: When to pray and when to take action at work (Nehemiah 1:4; 2:1-8)

October 9, 2023

Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 1:4; 2:1-8

Nehemiah was a trusted advisor and high-ranking Persian official. He would use his professional experience and position to great advantage as he embarked upon the work of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem.

After explaining the purpose of his coming to Jerusalem and pointing to God’s gracious hand upon him, when some local officials mocked and accused him, Nehemiah answered, “The God of heaven is the one who will give us success” (Neh. 2:20). God would give this success, in part, through Nehemiah’s clever and well-informed leadership. The fact that success came from the Lord did not mean Nehemiah could sit back and relax. Quite to the contrary, Nehemiah was about to commence an arduous and demanding task.

Just as in the story of the rebuilding of the temple in Ezra, opposition arose. So what did Nehemiah lead his people to do? Pray and trust God? Or arm themselves for battle? Predictably, the pragmatic believer led them to do both: “We prayed to our God, and set a guard as a protection against them day and night” (Neh. 4:9). God would fight for his people by assisting them in battle. He would be at work in and through his people as they worked.

We Christians sometimes seem to act as if there were a rigid wall between actively pursuing our own agenda and passively waiting for God to act. Nehemiah and company’s arduous work warns us that trusting God does not equate with sitting on our hands waiting for magical solutions for our difficulties.

Prayer: Lord, lead me. Help me know when I need to pray and when I need to act. Amen.

For Further Exploration: Read Rebuilding the Wall of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:1-7:73) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

15: God at work through unexpected people (Ezra 1:1-3)

October 2, 2023

Scripture Reading: Ezra 1:1-3

The Book of Ezra begins with a decree from King Cyrus of Persia, allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple that had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BC. Cyrus was doing his work as king, seeking his personal and institutional ends. Yet this was a result of God’s work within him, advancing God’s own purposes. God is in control, yet chooses to work through human beings to accomplish his will.

Ezra describes several efforts to squelch construction. Finally Darius, king of Persia, underwrote the building effort financially in the hope that the Lord might bless him and his sons. The Jews actually did the work of rebuilding the temple. Yet their labors were successful because of help from two pagan kings, one who inaugurated the project and the other who paid for its completion. Behind these human efforts loomed the overarching work of God, who moved in the hearts of the kings and encouraged his people through the prophets.

Workplace Christians today also live in trust that God is active through the decisions and actions of non-Christian people and institutions. The actions of our boss, co-workers, customers and suppliers, rivals, regulators or a myriad of other actors may be furthering the work of God’s kingdom unrecognized by either us or them. That should prevent us from both despair and arrogance. If Christian people and values seem absent from your workplace, don’t despair — God is still at work. On the other hand, if you are tempted to see yourself or your organization as a paragon of Christian virtue, beware! God may be accomplishing more through those with less visible connection to him than you realize.

Prayer: Lord, you are God, and you are good. You are at work even when I don’t see it. Especially in times of despair or discouragement, help me trust that in all things you are working for the good of those who love you. Amen.

For Further Exploration: Read Ezra and Work from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

14: The temptations of success at work (2 Chronicles 26:4, 10, 16)

September 25, 2023

Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 26:4,10,16

How could king after king of Israel fall so easily into evil? The story of Uzziah may give us some insight. He ascended to the throne at age sixteen and at first “he did what was right in the sight of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 26:4). His young age proved to be an advantage, as he recognized his need for God’s guidance. Interestingly, much of the success the Lord gave Uzziah was related to ordinary work.

“He was marvelously helped,” the scripture tells us, “until he became strong” (2 Chron. 26:15b). Then his strength became his undoing because he began to serve himself instead of the Lord. He attempted to usurp the religious authority of the priests, leading to a palace revolt that cost him the throne and left him an outcast the rest of his life.

Uzziah’s tale is sobering for people in leadership positions today. The character that leads to success—especially our reliance on God—is easily eroded by the powers and privileges that success brings. How many business, military, and political leaders have come to believe they are invincible and so lose the humility, discipline, and attitude of service needed to remain successful? How many of us at any level of success have paid more attention to ourselves and less to God as our power increases even modestly? Uzziah even had the benefit of subordinates who would oppose him when he did wrong, although he ignored them.

What, or who, do you have to keep you from drifting into pride and away from God should your success increase?

Prayer: Jesus, should I experience success, I hope pride and power don’t get the better of me. May I always keep my eyes and heart focused on you. Amen.

*This is an excerpt from Arrogance and the End of the Kingdoms (2 Chronicles 26) in the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

For Further Exploration: Read When Success Leads to Complacency (Deuteronomy 4:25-40) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

13: Succession planning at work (1 Chronicles 22:5-17)

September 18, 2023

Scripture Reading: 1 Chronicles 22:5-17

Because David had shed so much blood as king, God determined not to allow him to build a house for the Lord. Instead David’s son, Solomon, was given that task. So David accepted that his final task was to train Solomon for the job of king and to surround him with a capable team. David provided the vast stores of materials for the construction of God’s temple in Jerusalem. He publicly passed authority to Solomon and made sure that the leaders of Israel acknowledged Solomon as the new king and were prepared to help him succeed.

David recognized that leadership is a responsibility that outlasts one’s own career. In most cases, your work will continue after you have moved on (whether by promotion, retirement, or taking a different job). You have a duty to create the conditions your successor needs to be successful. In David’s preparation for Solomon, we see three elements of succession planning. First, you need to provide the resources your successor needs to complete the tasks you leave unfinished. Second, you need to impart your knowledge and relationships to the person who succeeds you. In many situations this will come by bringing your successor to work alongside you long before you depart. David began including Solomon in the leadership structures and rituals of the kingdom shortly before David’s death.

Third, you need to transfer power decisively to the person who takes over the position. Whether you choose your own successor or whether others make that decision without your input, you still have a choice whether or not to publicly acknowledge the transition and definitively pass on the authority you previously had. Your words and actions will confer either a blessing or a curse on your successor.

What can you do to prepare the work and your successor to thrive, for God’s glory, after you’ve gone?

Prayer: Lord, help me prepare prudently for those who will succeed me in the workplace. May your kingdom continue to advance even when I am no longer in my current position. Thank you that your love and purposes endure beyond my tenure. Amen.

For Further Exploration: Read David Prepares Solomon to Succeed Him As King (1 Kings 1; 1 Chronicles 22) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

12: Accountability, transparency and integrity at work (2 Kings 12:10–11)

September 11, 2023

Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 12:10-11

During the later history of Israel, the priests became corrupt. Instead of using worshippers’ donations to maintain the Temple, they pilfered the money and divided it among themselves. But under the direction of Jehoash, one of the few kings “who did what was right in the sight of the Lord” (2 Kings 12:2), some priests with integrity devised an effective accounting system. A locked chest with a small hole in the top was installed in the Temple to receive the donations. When it got full, the high priest and the king’s secretary would open the chest together, count the money, and contract with carpenters, builders, masons, and stonecutters to make repairs. This ensured that the money was used for its proper purpose.

The same system is still in use today in places—such as when the cash deposited in automatic teller machines is counted. The principle that even trusted individuals must be subject to verification and accountability is the foundation of good management.

Whenever a person in power—especially the power of handling finances—tries to avoid verification, the organization is in danger. Because 2 Kings includes this episode, we know that God values the work of bank tellers, accountants, auditors, bank regulators, armored car drivers, computer security workers, and others who protect the integrity of finance. It also urges all kinds of leaders to take the lead in setting a personal example of public accountability by inviting others to verify their work.

How can you work with accountability?

Prayer: God, you notice and value work done with integrity, accountability, and transparency. Teach me to do my work with integrity that glorifies you. Amen.

For Further Exploration: Read The Southern Kingdom’s March Toward Exile (1 Kings 11:41-2 Kings 25:26; 2 Chronicles 16-36) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

11: Ask for wisdom for work (1 Kings 3:5–13)

September 5, 2023

Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 3:5-13

Upon succeeding David as king, Solomon faced the vastness of his duties (1 Kings 3:5-15). He was acutely aware that he was inadequate to the task. The work with which he was entrusted was immense. He needed divine help: so he asked God, “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil, for who can govern this, your great people?” (1 Kings 3:9). God answered his prayer and gave him “very great wisdom, discernment and breadth of understanding as vast as the sand on the seashore” (1 Kings 4:29).

Solomon’s first major task was to build the Temple of the Lord. To achieve this architectural feat, Solomon employed professionals from all corners of his kingdom. The massive national effort needed to construct the Temple made Solomon the ruler of a powerful kingdom. During his reign, Israel’s economic might reached its peak, and the kingdom covered more territory than at any other time in Israel’s history. Militarization came into full flower during Solomon’s reign as the military became an essential component of the kingdom’s stability. He completed the centralization of the nation’s government, economic organization, and worship.

We see in Solomon’s story how society depends on the work of myriad people, structures and systems to organize large scale production and distribution. The human capacity to organize work is evidence of our creation in the image of a God who brings order out of chaos on a worldwide scale. Few of us would care to return to Solomon’s methods of organization—conscription, forced labor, and militarization—so we can be thankful that God leads us to fairer, more effective methods today. Perhaps what we can take away from this story is that God is intensely interested in the art of coordinating human work and creativity to accomplish His purposes in the world.

How can you partner with God to accomplish His purposes?

Prayer: Lord, I ask you for wisdom and understanding today for ____(specific project, relationship, role, situation, task)___ in my work. Help me to partner with you and others to accomplish your purposes in the world. Amen.

For Further Exploration: Read Solomon Succeeds David as King (1 Kings 1-11) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

Called To Work

Author: design

20: Proverbs 31 and work (Proverbs 31:10-31)

19: When unscrupulous people succeed (Psalm 49:16–19)

18: Treat others with respect and dignity at work (Job 31:13–15)

17: Taking risks at work (Esther 3:5-15, Esther 4:5-16)

16: When to pray and when to take action at work (Nehemiah 1:4; 2:1-8)

15: God at work through unexpected people (Ezra 1:1-3)

14: The temptations of success at work (2 Chronicles 26:4, 10, 16)

13: Succession planning at work (1 Chronicles 22:5-17)

12: Accountability, transparency and integrity at work (2 Kings 12:10–11)

11: Ask for wisdom for work (1 Kings 3:5–13)

Contact Us