Biblical Business Radical: Bringing Honor to the Team

 Not too long ago, I filmed an introductory video for the Jesus on Monday Morning chapter on Blessed are the Persecuted… In it, I related how our actions reflect on God and His Kingdom, like we’re wearing jerseys with His Name on them, or being part of the armed forces. Our behavior and performance either brings glory to the team, or the branch of service, or it brings shame. In the latter situation, the rest of the team doesn’t want anyone to know we’re a part of them.

Jokingly, but with a bit of truth, I think my wife doesn’t let me put a church sticker on the car. The few times I’m that “jerk driver” that causes other people to swear and sweat, in no way does she want anyone to know that “jerk driver” goes to our church.

There are certain business situations as well that I wish others wouldn’t claim to be Christians because they give all of us a bad reputation. Like when companies led by Christians demean their female employees or don’t give them a fair shot at promotion. Or intentionally or unintentionally practice a policy that discriminates against minorities.

On an individual basis if we fall into the traps of lusting after someone other than our spouse, we tarnish His Name. If we seek vengeance on the person who got credit for a well-done job that we executed, we are failing to follow His teachings regarding turning the other cheek, going the extra mile, giving the person extra beyond any claim they have against you (Matthew 5.38-42). If we fail to love our enemies, we dishonor Him. If we fail to give to the needy—including loaning money without expecting to be repaid—others wonder if we really believe what we say we believe. If we practice our religiosity—verses on our business cards e.g.—in front of others to seek their praise, we have already been rewarded but not by our Father in heaven.

One of the Commandments brought down by Moses from Mount Sinai is: “Do not take the Name of the Lord in vain.” When we’re adopted into His family, we take His Name. When we join the bride of Christ—the church—we’re married into the family and take His Name. Do not treat this lightly or throw it away (in vain). Our actions, decisions and behaviors reflect on Him as our Father and our Lord (Master).

Biblical Business Radical: Quiet Quitting

 In the business news lately has been a reported phenomenon called “Quiet Quitting.” It’s a self-reported trend by people who are not quitting their jobs to take another one. It’s a phrase describing employees setting boundaries on their work life, as in “I’m quitting for the day because my work ‘shift’ is done.” Workers are saying they’re not available after hours for additional tasks and supervisors/bosses shouldn’t expect them to work on projects after the “contracted” hours. They’re only working the hours they’re being paid for. No voluntary overtime. No 24/7 responses to messages, texts, emails or working without pay until the next shift shows up.  

Have employers been oppressive and abusive of employees’ time? Encroaching on their personal time? Perhaps. Most likely. I certainly tried not to overstep expectations of personal time without asking permission. I’ve prodded an engineer to leave the customer request for data behind in order to get to his son’s award ceremony. I’ve added text to a two-a.m. email that I didn’t expect a response until well after eight a.m. I’m sure some people felt they couldn’t say “no” to the request, however.

How do we balance serving one another with not being taken advantage of? When do we need to be wary of requests becoming oppressive, almost persecution for being a nice person? 

As employers, we can easily fall into a trap that one of our employees will have something against us (Matthew 5.23-24). If so, Christ commands us to “leave our offering at the altar” and then go be reconciled. The requirement isn’t that it has to be a legitimate gripe on their part or an offense that we committed intentionally. It could be a perception of doing some harm to someone else: an insult, being manipulative, cheating someone of wages by not paying them for extra time worked… We are not to give anything to the church until we resolve the conflict, make amends, or correct the perception. 

As employees, we shouldn’t play the persecution card at every inconvenience that our employer might impose. Christ says we’ll be rewarded if the persecution is because we’re obedient to what He’s called us to do: lies are told about us, harm comes to us—termination or worse—or we’re slandered with nicknames like “goody two-shoes, prissy, prig.” But do we subordinate our time to employers’ requests so that we might get a spiritual reward? “Oh, man, my boss is so demanding, I’m drained, beat. I hate going to work. But now the kingdom of heaven is mine! My hunger for fairness will be satisfied by Christ!” (Matthew 5.3, 6) 

When we do extra work, we might be do it with the attitude of serving our managers as if they were Christ Himself (Ephesians 6.5). We may want or need to “go the second mile” and fulfill a request from the person who asks (Matthew 5.41, 42).  

We might also be setting up the managers for later failure. They get a false impression and inaccurate data regarding proper staffing levels. Budgets will be wrong if the company truly paid for the extra effort. Profits will be incorrectly estimated and the wrong priorities could be set for growth.

I don’t know if there’s a single rule or small set of rules to guide us in every scenario. We might just need to ask, “What shows love to each person in this situation? How do I pass along joy and peace, kindness, gentleness, etc.?” I trust that He will guide you in the right thing when you ask with the commitment to follow His advice that you get through prayer or from the wisdom He’s given to your friends.