Devotions/YouVersion – Called To Work

103. Devotion for New Managers – Tip 3: See the People You Manage as People

September 14, 2026

Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:3-8

It’s easy to get so caught up in the stresses of a management job that you start to think of the people you work with as inputs or expense items on a spreadsheet.

The biggest piece of advice that Tech CEO J.B. Wood gives to new managers is to remember the humanity of the people you manage. Wood puts it this way:

“As leaders, it’s very easy to forget that our team and the people reporting to us are just that—they’re people. And people—I don’t care who you are—deep down they want to be acknowledged, they want to be appreciated. As leaders we shouldn’t be doing things—we should be inspiring and developing people to help them be better. Show them that they’re appreciated, that they’re acknowledged, that we’re listening, and we care about them. I think it goes a huge way towards helping those people to be more productive.”

When you’re stressing over a tough problem at work, take a moment to refocus on your team and their needs. As Philippians 2:3 puts it: think of other people as better than yourself. When you put the needs of the people you manage ahead of your own, you demonstrate the “same mind that was in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:4). It’s not just biblical, it’s sound business advice. Your success as a manager depends on the success of the people you manage. Put their wellbeing first, in any concrete ways you can think of: show appreciation for their work, acknowledge their efforts, and listen to their concerns.

The work of a manager isn’t easy, but with God’s help it can be holy work.

Prayer: God, thank you for the work you have given me to do. May I grow in faith through the responsibility you have given me. May my workplace be a safe haven for all who work there. May we as a team bless the wider world through our work.

Further Exploration: If you enjoyed this plan, find more plans from the Theology of Work Project at www.theologyofwork.org/devotions

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.

102. Devotion for New Managers – Tip 2: Learn to Give Feedback

September 8, 2026

Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:13-19, Matther 21-23, John 21:9-19

A big challenge for many new managers is learning how to give feedback. This isn’t easy to do. If you start off too critical, you’ll quickly have a team that doesn’t want to listen to you. But holding your tongue is even worse, as former General Electric CEO Jack Welch explains: “I’ve come to learn that the worst kind of manager is the one who practices false kindness.”

How do you give feedback that helps people improve? Three scenes between Jesus and Peter offer a model of productive feedback in an ongoing relationship.

Encourage the potential in someone. When Jesus first started working with Peter, Peter was a volatile, impetuous, and unstable man. But Jesus saw something special in Peter, and he encouraged that potential. Jesus praised Peter’s good points by calling him a “rock,” and by laying out a vision of what Peter could become. This set the stage for Peter’s future ministry.

Be timely with negative feedback. Jesus rebuked Peter on the spot when Peter made the mistake of arguing against Jesus’ mission. Jesus then told Peter exactly what he was doing wrong, “setting your mind not on divine things but on human things” (Matthew 16:23). When you see someone you manage veer off course, don’t wait to point it out. Timely criticism is more useful than time delayed feedback, because it gives the person the opportunity to correct course immediately rather than make things worse.

Give the person a way to move forward from failure. Peter failed Jesus three times on the morning of the crucifixion, but when they met again Jesus gave Peter a way forward out of failure. By asking Peter to profess his love three times, Jesus gave Peter a way to process and remedy his mistake. With the instructions to “feed my sheep” (John 21:17) Jesus gave Peter instructions on how he can move forward.

Your team expects you to give them feedback. Make it encouraging, timely, and productive. Within the context of a caring relationship, your feedback will help the people you manage grow. And you’ll grow yourself as a result.

Prayer: God, help me steward the people you’ve given me to manage. Put the right words in my mouth to encourage and grow the people in my care.

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.

101. Devotions for New Managers – Tip 1: Get to Know the Business You’re Managing

August 31, 2026

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:13, Genesis 41:46

3 biblical tips to jump-start your management career. We would like to thank the Theology of Work Project for providing this plan. For more information, please visit www.theologyofwork.org/devotions

The first job for any new manager is to become as familiar as possible with the state of her or his business.

As his first act after Pharaoh placed him in charge of Egypt, “Joseph…went through all the land of Egypt” (Gen. 41:46) on an inspection tour. In order to manage Egypt’s coming food crisis, Joseph needed to get to know the people involved in agricultural production. He needed to take stock of the locations and conditions of fields. He had to learn about roads and infrastructure for transportation. Joseph did all of this as soon as possible after taking on his management role.

Over the next 14 years, as Joseph managed a production surplus followed by a famine, he likely felt that nothing could have replaced the first-hand knowledge he gained on his initial fact-finding tour throughout Egypt.

Getting familiar with your business is a great place to start as a new manager. It’s also the secret of Kathy Wengel, Johnson & Johnson’s Executive Vice President for Global Supply Chain. Kathy Wengel’s sister describes Kathy’s strategy:

“When she’s new to a company she goes in early 2-4 days a week. She goes in at 5 in the morning and just grabs a cup of coffee and hangs out at the loading docks or the manufacturing floor or with the janitor’s staff. She’s determined that every single person that’s connected with that company has something to offer. I think she therefore gains mutual respect back and forth. She also knows that she’s really learning everything she can possibly learn about what’s going on in that company.”

Prayer: God, grant me insight into the people and resources you have given me to manage. Show me what I need to know in order to handle the challenges and opportunities of my work.

Further Exploration: In this video two Christian managers share key insights from their careers and a Bible scholar reflects on Jesus’ parable of the shrewd manager.

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.

100. When to Speak Up – Prepare for the Costs of Speaking Up

August 24, 2026

Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:10-12

Even when you’re right to speak up, there may be repercussions to using your voice. There may be forces that oppose God’s ways in your workplace, such as greed, fear, selfishness, or just plain stubbornness. These other voices may have the power to oppose you. After you speak up, you might find your work more stressful and difficult in the short term.

Jesus suggests the distinct possibility that you may be “persecuted for righteousness’ sake” (Matthew 5:10.) This often happens in the workplace. If you point out your boss’ unfair promotion patterns, you may be denied promotion yourself. If you question the ethics of a marketing campaign, you may simply be thrown off the project. And if you’re the whistle blower on serious misconduct at work, you may be threatened or fired or both. There can be real costs to speaking up.

And yet there are benefits too. When speaking up is the right thing to do, the benefits extend beyond your current work experience and beyond the people you see every day. There is a spiritual component of taking the right action. As Jesus puts it, “your reward is great in heaven” when you are persecuted for doing the right thing (Matthew 5:12). You should even be “glad” to be in the company of others who have suffered for speaking up. After all, Jesus points out that the prophets, who like him announced God’s kingdom, were persecuted. Seen in this light, speaking up can be a holy activity whose results last longer and touch more people than just your own life and career.

When to speak up is a tricky question that only you can answer with God’s help. Still, if you speak up for the benefit of others, if you balance anger with humility, and if you are brave in the face of real costs to yourself, then you can consider yourself “glad” to be in God’s company. Speaking up in this manner is something you can do with and for Jesus.

Prayer: God help me to speak truthfully, humbly, and bravely. Be my company when I go to work today, Lord Jesus.

Further Exploration: If you enjoyed this plan, find more plans from the Theology of Work Project at https://www.theologyofwork.org/devotions

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.

99. When to Speak Up – Slow Down If You Are Angry

August 17, 2026

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 21:23, James 1:19-25

Maybe it’s right to speak up, but you’re in the wrong frame of mind to do it. You’re burned up with anger and you’re ready to let loose. If this is true, then it’s probably wiser for you to hold your tongue for the moment. Take time to calm down and gather more information. Another moment will come when you can speak without anger, and in that moment your message will be better received.

James gives this advice in practical terms, “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19). When your emotions are running high, it’s time to slow down and listen. Imagine pumping the breaks or pressing an internal pause button. Listening is a great way to do this. According to James, the practice of speaking up needs to be equally balanced with the practice of listening.

Listening to other people at work – trying to identify with their thoughts and motivations – can help you understand a problem more fully. Maybe you were wrong about laying blame. Or maybe you were right, and now you know the right person to talk to about it. Either way, if you take the time to listen and reflect before you speak, your words may have a greater impact.

Prayer: God, help me listen with humility. Help me reflect calmly. Help me speak up at the right time.

Further Exploration: Read The Wise Worker Guards the Tongue (Proverbs)

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.

98. When to Speak Up – Speak Up If It Saves Others

August 12, 2026

Something’s wrong. When should you speak up? When should you hold your tongue? These biblical reflections help you decide whether it’s the right time to use your voice at work.

We would like to thank the Theology of Work Project for providing this plan. For more information, please visit https://www.theologyofwork.org/devotions/when-to-speak-up-devotional/

Scripture Reading: Esther 3:1-15, 4:1-17

There are many problems at work that leave you asking whether it’s right to speak up. Maybe a project isn’t going well and you don’t know if your boss has all the facts. Maybe your company is cutting corners in a way that will hurt it in the long run. Or maybe there’s even unethical behavior going on around you. Any of these situations might leave you asking yourself: Should I speak up?

It’s a question worth considering carefully. Speaking up at work can be risky business. You might jeopardize your job by pointing out unpleasant truths. On the other hand, speaking up might make life better for the people around you, deepen your relationships with others, and positively impact the problem. How do you know if it’s your time to speak up? Do what Esther did. Start by thinking about the people affected and your responsibility to them.

Are you uniquely positioned to help someone else by speaking up on this issue? In other words: Do you have a responsibility to speak up on behalf of someone who can’t speak up for himself or herself? This was what Esther conceded in the end.

Initially, Esther was hesitant to speak to the king about Haaman’s plans to revenge himself on the Jews. Getting involved could have jeopardized Esther’s position in the palace, and even her life. But Mordecai convinced Esther to use her voice by saying that Esther had the opportunity to speak for those who couldn’t speak up themselves. Maybe this was Esther’s destiny – the very reason she had risen to a position of power in the first place.

Esther’s dilemma was an extreme case – life, death, and royal intrigue. But you can use the same criteria when deciding whether or not to speak up yourself. Do you have a responsibility to other people? Are there coworkers, customers, or stakeholders who would be harmed if you don’t speak up? If so, then you may have a holy responsibility to use your voice.

Prayer: God, help me know if it’s my responsibility to speak up. Show me where I have been placed in a position of power to speak on someone else’s behalf.

Further Exploration: Read more about God’s Hidden Hand in the book of Esther

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.

97. What Does the Bible Say About Calling – Plugging in with God

August 7, 2026

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 50:5, Hebrews 10:24-25

Seeking God’s will for our lives, including our callings, involves cultivating a lifestyle that helps us draw close to Him. This can take time. As you continue your journey, we suggest plugging in with God individually and in community.

1) Reflect on the practices that help you connect with God. This may include disciplines such as rest, prayer, bible study, reflection, physical activity, service, being in nature, or expressing yourself through creative outlets. Consider devoting time to those activities.

2) In addition, consider how you can include community in the process of discerning God’s leading. The body of Christ on earth is the community of believers. Therefore, calling is best discovered in dialogue with community, not in isolation.

You might want to invest in one of the following resources to help you on your journey. You can read any of these on your own, with a friend, or with a small group.

● Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God by Dallas Willard

● Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation by Ruth Haley Barton

● Practicing God’s Presence by Brother Lawrence

People connect with God in a wide variety of ways; so don’t be discouraged if your primary mode isn’t listed here, or if you haven’t yet discovered how you best connect with God.

Prayer: Jesus, prepare my heart to hear from you and follow your leading. I invite you to speak to me. Please help me connect with fellow sojourners so we can build each other up in you. Amen.

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.

96. What Does the Bible Say About Calling – Your Work is Not in Vain

July 27, 2026

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:58

The Holy Spirit is active and alive in every Christian. From that point of view, Christians are called to embody that intersection of heaven and earth. But we often think of heaven in such grandiose terms that we have trouble imagining this. Remember then, that God put heaven and earth together in the first place in Genesis 1 in the garden.

Let’s be absolutely clear what we’re talking about here.

What you do in the present matters. Christians are called to be active, working to change the way the world is, confronting injustice, and building communities of peace and hope instead of violence and hatred.

Consider 1 Corinthians 15. Paul writes a whole chapter on resurrection. How does he conclude? He doesn’t say, “Since there is a resurrection, look up and wait for this glorious future.” No, he says, “Therefore my beloved ones be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

Your work is “not in vain.” Why not? Because everything you do in the present, in the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, everything that flows out of love and hope and grace and goodness somehow will be part of God’s eventual Kingdom. This is your calling.

Video: Watch the short video “Can Day-to-Day Work Be Holy?” with cargo pilot Norm Goodyear. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SghdyS8WyyQ

Prayer: God, I desperately want affirmation about the significance of my work and my choices in life. Thank you for reminding me that my choices have significance because you have called me to a life of significance. Your Spirit brings your kingdom and your will into every part of my life. Help me be open and receptive to your Spirit, overflowing with love, hope, grace, and goodness. Amen.

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.

95. What Does the Bible Say About Calling – The Call to Work-Life Rhythm

July 20, 2026

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:1

Although we are focusing on God’s call to work, work is only one element of life. God calls us to belong to Christ in every area of our lives. Our jobs are not necessarily the most important aspect of our calling.

First, we must remember that work is not limited to paid work. The work God leads us to may be unpaid work, such as raising children or caring for a disabled family member or tutoring students after school.

Even if you have a paid job, the most important work God calls you to may be outside your job. Your job may meet your need for money—which in itself fulfills part of God’s command to work —but it may not fulfill all the other purposes God has for your work. For example, caring for children, aged or incapacitated people is a kind of work. On the other hand, a so-called hobby could be the most important work God is leading you to. You might work at writing, painting, music, acting, astronomy, leading a youth group, volunteering at a historical society, maintaining a nature reserve or a thousand other kinds of work. Any given activity could be work for one person, and leisure for another.

Second, we must take care to not let work dominate the other elements of life. Even if God leads you to a particular job or profession, you will need to set limits to that work to make room for the other elements of God’s call or guidance in your life. If God leads you to be married and to be a small business owner, for example, then you will have to balance the time and responsibilities of both callings. Work should not crowd out leisure, rest and relationships. There is no formula for balancing work and the other elements of life. But take care not to let a sense of calling to a job blind you to God’s calling in the other areas of life.

Video: Watch the short video Balancing Act with Howard Butt, Jr. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZHbRNH79oo

Prayer: Dear God, Give me your eyes to see all of the ways in which I am living out my calling. Please show me how to wisely invest my time, energy and talent in each of the places you’re calling me to. If my focus is out of balance or needs correction, I invite you to guide me. Amen.

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.

94. What Does the Bible Say About Calling – Did You Miss Your Vocation?

July 13, 2026

Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:15-17

Christians want advice on how to hear God’s call for their lives. Young professionals worry that God may not have called them to the work they are doing every day. Middle-aged workers worry that they have missed their calling. All of us long for a sense of purpose in our day-to-day lives, but many of us are expecting too much of that purpose to come from work that we do. People confuse calling and career, wanting to reduce a deep theological truth to a simple strengths finder tool.

Our work has meaning, yes. God cares about our work. Our work can benefit the community around us. It can function as a tool to refine us in God’s image. Through our work, we can even use specific skills and talents to serve others. But our work is first of all an opportunity to follow Jesus—to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Mark Labberton, President of Fuller Seminary” says it like this in his book Called:

“The vocation of every Christian is to live as a follower of Jesus today. In every aspect of life, in small and large acts, with family, neighbors and enemies, we are to seek to live out the grace and truth of Jesus. This is our vocation, our calling. Today.”

Video: Watch this short video on Calling with Mark Labberton, President of Fuller Seminary. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIZpEXtgt3g

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for inviting us to serve you in the ordinary places of our lives. Your grace and truth and love sometimes seem like higher callings than the regular work I face everyday, but it is in my regular work that I live out your gospel and share it with others. Guide me today. Let me be salt and light for you.

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.

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