Work Relationships

WORK RELATIONSHIPS



You have family, friends and connections. You are not a nun or a monk vowed to a monastery. You’re a vibrant person living in a material world, but first and foremost you are a believer in Jesus Christ, and you belong to the family of God (Eph 2:19). The church you attend is an example of the worldwide family of God. It’s in this family that you learn and change (Col 2:7) and become yourselves more fully – as God made you to be (James 1:21). Then you boldly go out to interact with a world (Matt 5:16) that is not linked to you by a bloodline (Rom 8:15; Eph 1:5), but is made up of a variety of contracts, a web of financial transactions and a network of social contacts (1 John 2:15).



In the buzz of daily life, you often have a string of relationships. Remember always that you are the gatekeeper of the types of relationships and influences you allow into your life (2 Thess. 3:6). Work and other pressures can be so subtle; they can slowly downgrade the influence God has in your life to a dry routine or a casual relationship (Matt 13:22). Companies and business organisations will want you to buy into and share the firm’s vision and business goals and to have close ties with your team or work mates. Just make sure that you do not sell your soul (Matt 16:26), in your desire to climb the career, business or social ladder. Yes, if you want - you can gain the promotion or your place in the company, or merit the contract (Eph 6:5-9). However, you should not do this by mortgaging your godly values or laying your soul bare (Prov. 11:13) to everyone in the workplace, in team building exercises or performance appraisals.



Of course, there is always the remote possibility that people at work keep away from you because you are generally an irritable and unfriendly person! I hope that this is not true in your case (Prov. 18:24). Some relationships may turn sour because workmates are jealous of the favour you have (Psl 5:12). Other relationships may thrive because of your generous heart in helping and sharing your abilities with others. There may even come a time when you consider walking away from a job relationship because they do not appreciate your consistent contributions. Whatever your job or contract, you operate as a very special package: it’s you and the Lord Jesus that you serve; you as the person He has called you to be; you and the capacity He gives you to deliver high quality achievement, superior productivity and terrific workable ideas (Phil 4:13).



If you are reading this and you want the involvement of God in your life and your daily work, just say audibly, "Jesus Christ, I believe in you. From today, I want you to come into my heart and live within me. Give me favour in the workplace and uninterrupted income and progress". Then talk to a Christian you know.



Mike Abel©