Working for God By Ron Frey

What is different about working for God?

I recently read an article in the Wall Street Journal about people who are living a secret life by working remotely at two jobs. (August 14-15, 2021, Page B1)

As the article says,

“the money can be great, but it comes with a constant fear of getting caught.”

It goes on to talk about people who toggle between two laptops, color code their work assignments to keep track of which employer it’s for, and juggle their calendars to avoid being double booked for Zoom meetings. They can receive a double salary and benefits while performing the minimal work needed to just not get fired. A hiring manager even expresses sympathy for one of his employees who got caught.

“What incentive is there for people to be deliberately honest? That loyalty between employer and employee is vacant.”

A Double Work Life

The article concludes with a guide to living a double work life explaining how two-gig veterans have “honed their craft” to “keep the stress low, the payoff high, and the whole thing secret.” This guide advises “be visible everywhere, even if it is only a façade” while other “tips” promote outright lying to employers, colleagues, and customers.

What is your reaction to this?

All About “ME”

Do we now live in such a selfish “me culture” that vast numbers of people are willing to sacrifice their ethical integrity at work and cheat their employers? Do people no longer see their work and vocation as an opportunity to serve God, others, or humanity, but only as a platform to achieve their greedy ends? Has this type of mindset infiltrated your ministry?

The Christian Contrast

As followers of Christ, our work should stand in sharp contrast to this type of behavior in the marketplace. Our work ethic is guided by integrity, honesty, and service to others. The Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 3:22-24,

“Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Our Christian Witness

Our work ethic matters. While it may seem obvious, we need to resist the prevailing culture’s lure to selfishness and duplicity. Don’t allow yourself to get distracted, derailed, or double minded. Our Christian witness to the world is to demonstrate how working “as unto the Lord” is the foundation of a successful and productive life at work. How are you and your team going to live it out today?

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Ron Frey​ is president of Frey Resource Group,​  a strategic and creative consulting firm that helps non-profit organizations inspire joyful generosity and achieve extraordinary success in fundraising. He has trained and consulted with hundreds of organizations on branding, donor communications, major gifts, foundation grants and capital campaign.