“SUCCESS @ WORK/SCHOOL”
2nd in Series: Searching For Success
Rev. Todd G. Leupold, Perth Bible Church, January 17, 2010 AM
INTRODUCTION:
Work. School. Just saying/hearing the words evokes all kinds of different thoughts and emotions. Today, they are represented in TV shows such as “The Office” and “Glee Club.” Before that, it was “Dilbert.” In the 80s we had movies like “9 to 5” and “The Breakfast Club.” In the 70s, Johnny Paycheck recorded his hit single crooning “Take this job and shove it, I ain’t working here no more.” Tennessee Ernie Ford sang, “You load 16 tons, and what do you get, another day older and deeper in debt.”
In 39 years, I’ve worked as a paper boy, stock boy, just about every position possible in a restaurant (beginning with dishwasher), research assistant, janitor, landscaper, public relations, data entry, retail administrator, sales manager, bus driver, security guard and Pastor. Not to mention countless years as a ’professional student.’ I have been supervised and I have supervised others. All very different responsibilities and environments. Yet, the more I look back the more I can see common elements required for success and satisfaction in each of these very different jobs and environments – some I regularly achieved, some I didn’t. And, if you haven’t noticed, I’m still learning and working at it.
So, let me ask you: Do you really like your school or job? Does it ’fulfill’ you? Is it a passion in your life? Have you and do you continue to find great success in your work? Or, do you agree with comedian Jerome K. Jerome , who once quipped: “I like work. It fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours”?
What does it mean to find or achieve great success in your work? How do we find satisfaction and joy in our work? For our purposes this morning, we will speak mostly in terms of employee-employer, but the same principles apply equally to the school environment – whatever the educational level.
SCRIPTURE: COLOSSIANS 3:22-4:1
PRAYER
In the context of it’s original audience, our text speaks of slaves and masters because in that time and place most everybody was a form of slave – indebted worker. Those who weren’t, were masters. There was no ’middle class’ or ’middle way.’
For our application, it is best we make the distinction between them as those who work under the authority of another (slaves) and those who work in authority above others (masters).
With this understanding, let us look at God’s universal principles that bring us the keys to success in our school and work.
I.) SUCCESS AS A WORKER REQUIRES:
A.) Obedience
Slaves, obey your human masters in everything
Two exasperated company executives were discussing a scatterbrained office boy who had a habit of fouling up important errands. “How long has he been with us, anyway?” asked one of the executives. “He’s never been with us,” replied the other. “He’s been against us from the start” (Nelson’s Big Book of Laughter, pg. 446, original source unknown)
Whether what is required of us is pleasant or unpleasant, noticed or unnoticed, appreciated or unappreciated, fair or unfair, we are to be obedient to those in authority over us – whether we chose them or not.
Not simply out of duty, but with the fullness of our hearts.
1Timothy 6:1-2 All who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters to be worthy of all respect, so that God’s name and His teaching will not be blasphemed. And those who have believing masters should not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but should serve them better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved. Teach and encourage these things.
1Peter 2:17-18 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the Emperor. Household slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the cruel.
B.) Diligence
"don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically"
As we are all aware, many of us painfully so, the unemployment rate is the highest it’s been in decades. Wherever one goes, it seems there are people not working. Sadly, and to the frustration of the unemployed, many of these people still have a title and a paycheck!
Someone once asked Pope John XXIII how many people worked at the Vatican. “Half of them,” he replied.
Diligence in our work needs to be applied at the proper time. In the words of the great American poet, Robert Frost: “The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get to the office.” That is NOT the formula for success.
Diligence in our work needs to be applied to the proper tasks. Robert Benchley observed: “There’s no limit to the amount of work a man can do, provided, of course, that it isn’t the work he’s supposed to be doing at that moment.”
A successful worker fears disappointing the LORD even more than our supervisor/boss/ customers/teacher.
C.) Representation
"as something done for the Lord and not for men"
We all represent someone through our work, but WHO? How many of us are like the man described by comedian Ron Dentinger: “He does the work of three men – Larry, Curley and Moe.”
As Christians, we represent Jesus Christ in ALL that we do. In fact, we work for Him in ALL we do! We are expected and commanded to make every day a “Take Jesus to work” day.
Titus 2:9-14 Slaves are to be submissive to their masters in everything, and to be well-pleasing, not talking back or stealing, but demonstrating utter faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior in everything. For the grace of God has appeared, with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a special people, eager to do good works.
Specifically, we are to represent:
1.) God’s Awesomeness
Redeemed through Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit, we are touched and empowered by the awesome grace and blessing of God Almighty! Does it show at work? School?
Every day at school or work should be a day of worship. Every minute, a minute devoted to bringing glory to Christ!
Therefore, how we conduct ourselves is a reflection of our faith in and honor of Jesus Christ!
Does this thought excite or embarrass you?
2.) Jesus’ Passionate Heart
Sure, preacher, do you know where I work? What I do? Who I have to work for? With?
That’s exactly why we need to represent Jesus’ passionate heart in ALL we do! Is it not in the darkest places among the harshest and most ungodly people, that He most needs to be represented?
3.) Christ’s Reward
“...knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord--you serve the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism.”
So much of our focus these days is on our worldly perks. But what of our other-worldly, heavenly, eternal perks?
II.) SUCCESS AS A BOSS REQUIRES:
“Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven. ”
A.) Just Provision
1.) Equip
Are we supplying those responsible to us with everything they need to experience joy and success in their work?
2.) Compensate
Luke 10:7b “. . . for the worker is worthy of his wages. . .”
It is not just an issue of economics. It is an issue of worth, appreciation and fairness.
3.) Appreciate
All of this comes down to one idea: do not forget to value the people you are responsible for!
The way you value and treat those under your authority is how you can expect God to value and treat you. Does that encourage or worry you?
The workers’ lament:
When you take a long time, you’re slow. When your boss takes a long time, he’s being thorough.
When you don’t do it, you’re lazy. When your boss doesn’t do it, he’s too busy.
When you make a mistake, you’re an idiot. When your boss makes a mistake, he’s only human.
When doing something without being told, you’re overstepping authority. But your boss is taking iniative.
When you take a stand, you’re being bull-headed (something, I of course no little about). When your boss does it, he’s being firm.
When you skip over a rule or two, you’re being rude. When your boss does, he’s being original.
Etc. . .
B.) Godly Purpose
How much time, thought and attention in your work do you devote to how it will help fulfill your own purposes?
How much time, thought and attention in your work do you devote to how it will help fulfill God’s purposes?
EVERYONE’S ’BOTTOM LINE’: FAITHFULNESS!
In the 2nd Century Justin, known later as ’The Martyr,’ wrote:
“Our Lord urged us by patience and meekness to lead all from shame and the lusts of evil, and this we have to show in the case of many who have come in contact with us, who were overcome and changed from violent and tyrannical characters, either from having watched the constancy of their Christian neighbors, or from having observed the wonderful patience of Christian travelers when overcharged, or from doing business with Christians.”
In our learning and work environments, are we effective ambassadors of Jesus Christ? Do all those around us (above, below, or parallel) positively recognize that we are serving an awesome and worthy God?
