Devotions/Partners

Job 38:4 (KJV): “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding.”

COMMENTARY: When Job lost his children, possessions and health, he still faithfully trusted in God. However, during this ordeal, Job had moments of frustration when he questioned why God allowed these things to happen, wondered if God understood what was going on, and asked what God was going to do with the rest of his life. Job was reminded to keep his perspective straight. It’s not for the created being to question the wisdom, decisions and actions of the Creator.

APPLICATION: Do you work for someone who started the business from scratch? Be careful that you respect his or her role as the “creator” of the business. It takes an enormous amount of courage, vision, initiative, faith, time, energy and money to start and grow a business. At some time, your employer had the courage to create and invest in your job. Don’t take it for granted.

If you find yourself complaining about the owner’s management style, judgment, decisions, policies and priorities, ask yourself this question: “Where was I when the owner founded the business?  Do I understand what he or she went through to start and grow the business?” Who died and made you the boss?

Perhaps you need to lighten up. If you feel that your employer is blind to important issues, pray for him or her. Communicate your concerns and ideas in tactful, constructive ways. In the final analysis, however, you must give the owner the liberty to run the business as he or she sees fit. If you don’t think you can continue to work for this person, then by all means go. No job comes with a lifetime guarantee. You have the liberty to leave and try working somewhere else. 

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (KJV)，read Leading and Serving (2 Corinthians 4) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.