God in the Workplace.............The Answer?

To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance (Proverbs 1:1-33)

I speak and write much about the "Spiritual Aspect of Running a Business". There are certainly those who neither understand this concept nor wish to.  Yet I continue to hear people complain about their business struggles and are unwilling to do anything different.  

Those who struggle to keep their businesses running smoothly usually lack the capacity to motivate employees by spiritually building them up, to see them as God sees them when their confidence is shaken.  They have said to me; "So if I don't believe in God then I'm going to lose my business"?  No, you may be able to "WILL" the business into existence as I had in the past, but in the process you will certainly lose your mind trying!  

You will be consumed with worry and continue to struggle to the point of exhaustion instead of the possibility of making it easy on yourself. If you can't be at least "open" to the existence of the spiritual in every matter of life then you have closed the door on the most important avenue towards a different definition of success, peace of mind and rest.  Why does it seem effortless from an outside perspective when you see our business running smoothly; I can't explain that unless you see the spiritual side of how the business is run and exactly WHO is in charge!  You can see it working with your eyes but your mind can't comprehend the manner in "why" it does.  I CAN tell you "it's not about the money"; if that's your goal in life you already lost.  

What would happen if Jesus took your place for a year in your workplace?  Let's consider some hypothetical things He might do from His Word:

He would do His work with excellence. He would be known around the office for the great work He did (Exodus 31:2).

He would develop new ideas for doing things better (Eph 3:20).

He would hang out with sinners in order to develop a relationship with them in order to speak to them about the Father (Mt 9:12).

He would strategically pray for each worker about their concerns and their needs. He would pray for those who even disliked Him (Mt 5:44).

He would rally the office to support a needy family during Christmas (Jer 22:16).

He would offer to pray for those who were sick in the office and see them get healed (Mt 14:14).

He would honor the boss and respect him/her (Titus 2:9).

He would consider the boss as His authority in His workplace (Rom 13:1).

He would be truthful in all his dealings and never exaggerate for the sake of advancement ( Ps 15:2).

He would be concerned about His city (Lk 19:41).

He would always have a motive to help others become successful, even at his own expense (Pr 16:2).

Hmm..........Sounds like some good ideas we could model.  Remember, the idea is to at least be open to the possibility of Spiritual Answers.  Focus on the "Giver" of the gifts and the not the gifts themselves.  It's a state of mind; start to practice the concept in all you do not perfecting it; perfection sets you up for disappointment and ultimate failure in the quest. Like the graphic states above "never give up".  Instead, "Let go, let God and Move On"!!

Tim Gibb

(Excerpts from Daily Workplace Inspiration by Oz Hillman on 1/15/16)