Bible Query on Work
A: While money are time are related to business, they are different topics that are not addressed here. Here is a list of ways we can please God with our work. You can remember the five categories with the phrase, "Put Him In The Company"
Priorities
P1. Do not serve money or wear yourself out to get rich. (Matthew 6:24-34; Proverbs 23:4; 1 Timothy 6:9-10).
P2. Honor the Sabbath, or else view all days as belonging to the Lord. (Isaiah 56:2,6; Romans 14:5-6; Hebrews 4:8-11) Regardless, do not overwork yourself, and have priority time for God and family.
P3. Even in your business, be kind to the poor (Exodus 23:11; Deuteronomy 24:19-22; ~Ruth 2:2,6,15).
P4. Do not be so busy doing your things, you do not have time to build God's things (Haggai 1:2-15).
P5. Work is good and given by God (Genesis 2:15). Painful toil is a curse though (Genesis 3:17-19).
P6. You do not have time for getting revenge; leave all that to God (Proverbs 20:22; 24:28-29). Do not gloat over others (Proverbs 24:17-18).
Hard-work
D1. Be diligent and hard-working (Proverbs 14:23). Do not be lazy. (1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12; Proverbs 6:6-11; 12:24,27; 15:19; Ecclesiastes 11:6; Titus 3:14).
D2. Be skilled at what you do (Proverbs 22:29; 1 Corinthians 4:12; Ephesians 6:5-8), and do it as you were serving the Lord (Colossians 3:22-24)
D3. Caution is good (Proverbs 22:3), but do not be scared off by unsubstantiated rumors (Proverbs 22:13, Nehemiah 6:6-13).
D4. Do not just do what you should, do it on time, when you are supposed to (Proverbs 20:4).
Integrity
I1. Be honest with everyone (boss, subordinates, customers, vendors, reviewers, even competitors) (Proverbs 11:1; 16:11; 20:10,23; Leviticus 19:13-14,35-36; Deuteronomy 25:13-16; Micah 6:10-11).
I2. However, being honest does not mean you have to spill your guts, and tell everyone everything you know (Proverbs 12:23; 1 Samuel 16:2-5). Hiding information is OK.
I3. Do not cheat by secretly using differing scales (Proverbs 11:1; 16:11; 20:10,23; Leviticus 19:35-36; Deuteronomy 25:13).
I4. Make every effort to timely repay debts. (Psalm 37:21; Romans 13:8; Proverbs 22:7; Deuteronomy 28:12) and wages (James 5:4; Deuteronomy 24:14-15).
I5. Do not accept bribes or give improper gifts (Deuteronomy 16:19; Proverbs 15:27; 17:23; 29:4; Psalm 15:5; Ecclesiastes 7:7; Isaiah 5:13; 1 Samuel 4:3-4; 2 Chronicles 19:7)
I6. Value and maintain a good name (Proverbs 22:1).
Thinking Ahead and Looking Around
T1. Realize that others might use pretensions (Proverbs 13:7), deceit (Joshua 6) and give bribes (Proverbs 15:27; 17:23; Psalm 15:5; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19; Ecclesiastes 7:7; 1 Samuel 12:3; Isaiah 1:23; Amos 5:12, Deuteronomy 16:19; Proverbs 15:27; 28:16; Psalm 15:5; Ecclesiastes 7:7; Isaiah 5:13; 1 Samuel 4:3-4; 2 Chronicles 19:7). Malicious people can use charming words (Proverbs 26:24-25). Someone can make a fortune by lying (Proverbs 21:6). Do not be crafty (Proverbs 14:17) or devious (Proverbs 21:8).
T2. Planning is both good and essential (Proverbs 20:4,18; 21:5; 30:25). Give thought to your ways (Proverbs 14:8; Titus 3:14).
T3. However, all our plans can come to nothing, and are based on God's will (James 4:13-16; Proverbs 16:9; 19:21; 21:30-31; 27:1; 16:9; Luke 12:15-21)
T4. If you are rich, do not believe everyone who says they are your faithful friend (Proverbs 20:6; 14:20).
T5. To not make rash financial commitments (Proverbs 20:16,25). Do not be quick-tempered, or you will do foolish things (Proverbs 14:17; 19:19).
T6. Stinginess does not make you rich (Proverbs 28:22).
T7. Do not plan evil (Proverbs 30:32), work on evil things, or let your work advance sin, because whatever you are doing, you are doing for the Lord (Ephesians 6:7; Colossians 3:17).
Co-workers
C1. Treat others, as you would want to be treated. If a subordinate, boss, or competitor were a member of your church, how would Jesus want you to treat him or her?
C2. Do not be yoked with unbelievers, including business partnerships (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
C3. Some people cannot be told some lessons; they have to experience it themselves (Proverbs 29:19). We can teach children of all ages, but do not waste time trying to teach a fool (Proverbs 1:7; 23:9; 24:7; 26:4; 14:7; 9:8; 15:5).
C4. However, working for a large secular organization is fine, as Joseph, Daniel, Nehemiah, and Obadiah (in 1 Kings 18:3) did.
C5. Look for opportunities to repay people's kindness (2 Samuel 9:1; Esther 6:1-4; Proverbs 14:4)
C6. Do not pamper subordinates (Proverbs 29:21).
C7. Be careful in whom you hire; do not hire fools or just anybody (Proverbs 26:10). Do not listen to the advice of a fool (Proverbs 14:7). Avoid someone who talks too much (Proverbs 20:19; 17:28), is disloyal (Proverbs 17:11), hot-tempered (Proverbs 19:19; 22:24-25), or will not listen to instruction (Proverbs 19:20; 20:18).
C8. To the extent possible, choose a boss that is fair, not hot-tempered (Proverbs 19:19; 22:24-25), an evil or violent person (Proverbs 24:1; 28:15; 29:27), tyrannical (Proverbs 28:16), a glutton (Proverbs 28:7), or a gossip who talks too much (Proverbs 20:19).
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by Steven M. Morrison, PhD.