How to work as a Christian on the job?

[evangelist6589]

When I went to BJU I was trained to work without question, and to work to the best of my ability. After BJU I worked at a company and had a manager whom was a former Navy Battle-ship commander I also was trained to work and not to question authority. However I have noticed that non-military and or structured work environments will easily take advantage and use people whom operate like this. They will put more pressure on you and if you give them a inch they will go a mile. I have noticed this has happened at my new job as well. I try to work without question and to work to the best of my ability but maybe it has not paid off. I notice that I am the only one in my work environment whom operates this way. Am I being foolish in how I work?

 

[Salty]

I am going thu something similar. Where I work there are about 3 supervisors I may have - (only 1 supervisor per shift) - since I am part time - I work with various superisors. The next level up from the supervisor is the store manager.

In the military - we also utilize the "Chain of Command" If I do not get satisfaction from the supervisor - I will go to the mananger. However, before I say more to the superviosr, I need to document certian information. - which I have recently started to do.

BTW, though it appears that the military is taught to obey orders without question is not totally correct. We obey LAWFUL orders. If possibe we might question them. In middle of combat is normally not the proper time.

 

[padredurand]

When I went to BJU I was trained to work without question, and to work to the best of my ability. After BJU I worked at a company and had a manager whom was a former Navy Battle-ship commander I also was trained to work and not to question authority. However I have noticed that non-military and or structured work environments will easily take advantage and use people whom operate like this. They will put more pressure on you and if you give them a inch they will go a mile. I have noticed this has happened at my new job as well. I try to work without question and to work to the best of my ability but maybe it has not paid off. I notice that I am the only one in my work environment whom operates this way. Am I being foolish in how I work?

Unless you are a manager or supervisor you are only responsible for how you do your job.

"And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two.
Matthew 5:41 NAS77

 

[SolaSaint]

I have been employed by the USAF for 33 years now and I had a short break in between active duty and civilian status where I held a job for about two months. I worked my butt off because I thought I would be keeping that job and I wanted to work my way up to management. It was a factory job. The people I worked with really didn't like me and even told me I was working to fast and doing too good of a job. They had learned to do as little as possible without getting fired. Then I come along and start out producing them by almost double and that didn't settle well. I don't think the American working force is what it used to be.

 

[evangelist6589]

I have been employed by the USAF for 33 years now and I had a short break in between active duty and civilian status where I held a job for about two months. I worked my butt off because I thought I would be keeping that job and I wanted to work my way up to management. It was a factory job. The people I worked with really didn't like me and even told me I was working to fast and doing too good of a job. They had learned to do as little as possible without getting fired. Then I come along and start out producing them by almost double and that didn't settle well. I don't think the American working force is what it used to be.

You can say that again. Did you get let go? Sometimes you make them look bad and they want you gone.

 

[Thousand Hills]

Ephesians 6: 5-8

Servants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ, not with eyeservice as menpleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,with good will doing service, as to the Lord and not to men,knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive from the Lord, whether he be bond or free.


Collosians 3:22-25

Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice as menpleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not unto men,knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance, for ye serve the Lord Christ.

 

[evangelist6589]

Ephesians 6: 5-8

Servants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ, not with eyeservice as menpleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,with good will doing service, as to the Lord and not to men,knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive from the Lord, whether he be bond or free.


Collosians 3:22-25

Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice as menpleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not unto men,knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance, for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Thats ultimately whom I am working for. Earthly employers can be liars, deceivers, and take advantage of people. But I work for my God and King.

 

[North Carolina Tentmaker]

Work hard, do your best, do whatever it takes, those principles will pay off for you, if you keep longer view than today or this week.

But as far as working without question; there is nothing wrong with questioning why. Often the only way we get efficiency gains and improvements to jobs is because instead of working blindly someone asked the question, “Why are we doing something this way?” The key is to ask in a way that is tactful and helpful, not argumentative.

I believe you never get ahead by making your boss look bad. I have had some terrible bosses over the years. There have been a few really good ones, but more bad than good. I did my best to make them all look good. I don’t believe you ever get ahead by knocking the guy ahead of you off the ladder.

Now there are some employers who will recognize this and some won’t, but do you really want to work for one of the ones who won’t?

 

[evangelist6589]

Work hard, do your best, do whatever it takes, those principles will pay off for you, if you keep longer view than today or this week.

But as far as working without question; there is nothing wrong with questioning why. Often the only way we get efficiency gains and improvements to jobs is because instead of working blindly someone asked the question, “Why are we doing something this way?” The key is to ask in a way that is tactful and helpful, not argumentative.

I believe you never get ahead by making your boss look bad. I have had some terrible bosses over the years. There have been a few really good ones, but more bad than good. I did my best to make them all look good. I don’t believe you ever get ahead by knocking the guy ahead of you off the ladder.

Now there are some employers who will recognize this and some won’t, but do you really want to work for one of the ones who won’t?

Great points. So far I have shown up early, worked OT, done my best, have been a team player and the like. Yes I have made mistakes here and there but I am new to the job. Unfortunately the boss gets stressed out easily and has done so on me several times but I have just remained silent.... I have not made the boss look bad as I have just done what I have been asked to do. Some employers welcome suggestions, and give freedom, but some do not and just tell you to do what you are told. They are often open once an employee has been around for a while. True one may not want to work for some people and it is wit discernment that someone needs to make a good decision.

Lately they hired someone else to also work in the area where I work as the job is overwhelming for one person as I have not taken any breaks my first month because if I did I would fall behind in the work load. I only took lunches. However they bumped me to working at 9am instead of 6am and all without asking, because they knew I would just do what I have been told and not question them. However things could be allot worse as I could be working 2nd shift and weekends of which I would find another job before that.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

These are from Steve Marr's Business Proverbs website.

http://www.stevemarr.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=111&Itemid=44

1. Quite simply, the Golden Rule.

Matthew 7, NASB
12 "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets."​

Whether customer, supplier, manager, or fellow worker, do the things that make you respect, admire and honor others.

2. Give full measure to your customers, employees, co-workers, managers.

Luke 6
38 "Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure -- pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return."​

Give good value to your customers, give good work to your employer, give good support to those around you, subordinate or higher-up.

3. Discern the truth, not relying on emotions, prejudices, or personal perspective.

John 7
24 "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."​

Seek out the facts, don't jump to conclusions, and make sure you have all of the truth before acting.

4. Commit to providing a high quality service, product, or performance.

Ecclesiastes 11
3 If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies.​

You are only as good as your last performance or product. No matter how great a service you have provided in the past, one lapse in Christian work ethic establishes a benchmark from which you can only rise.

As to providing witness in work place, Focus on the Family has an excellent article on its website.

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/fai...iew/making_a_difference_in_the_workplace.aspx​

• Do you fake happiness even when you are sad about something?
• Have you ever shared a personal concern with a co-worker?
• Have you openly spoken about how God helped you during a tough time?
• Do your actions at work reflect your Christian principles?
• Are you pursing excellence, as working for the Lord, not for men?
• Do you have a vision for your workplace?

If you aren't real in your faith, you won't be seen as real in your witness.

 

[Berean]

Unless you are a manager or supervisor you are only responsible for how you do your job.

"And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two.
Matthew 5:41 NAS77

I once read a quotation in an office that has stuck with me for over 50 years; "You are judged solely on your results, not on the difficulty you encounter in attaining it".

 

[evangelist6589]

These are from Steve Marr's Business Proverbs website.

http://www.stevemarr.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=111&Itemid=44

1. Quite simply, the Golden Rule.

Matthew 7, NASB
12 "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets."​

Whether customer, supplier, manager, or fellow worker, do the things that make you respect, admire and honor others.

2. Give full measure to your customers, employees, co-workers, managers.

Luke 6
38 "Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure -- pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return."​

Give good value to your customers, give good work to your employer, give good support to those around you, subordinate or higher-up.

3. Discern the truth, not relying on emotions, prejudices, or personal perspective.

John 7
24 "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."​

Seek out the facts, don't jump to conclusions, and make sure you have all of the truth before acting.

4. Commit to providing a high quality service, product, or performance.

Ecclesiastes 11
3 If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies.​

You are only as good as your last performance or product. No matter how great a service you have provided in the past, one lapse in Christian work ethic establishes a benchmark from which you can only rise.

As to providing witness in work place, Focus on the Family has an excellent article on its website.

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/fai...iew/making_a_difference_in_the_workplace.aspx​

• Do you fake happiness even when you are sad about something?
• Have you ever shared a personal concern with a co-worker?
• Have you openly spoken about how God helped you during a tough time?
• Do your actions at work reflect your Christian principles?
• Are you pursing excellence, as working for the Lord, not for men?
• Do you have a vision for your workplace?

If you aren't real in your faith, you won't be seen as real in your witness.

Yes but what if your job is very overwhelming and confusing. What if you are working your tail off, and what if you still make mistakes? You are pursuing excellence but its a tough job and about twice as complicated as my last job.

 

[padredurand]

Yes but what if your job is very overwhelming and confusing. What if you are working your tail off, and what if you still make mistakes? You are pursuing excellence but its a tough job and about twice as complicated as my last job.

What in the name of Sam Hill are you doing at this job? Building rockets? Fission? Extracting DNA? Writing computer programs?

I have owned, operated and managed businesses in many different fields. Here's some things I've observed when an employee is having difficulty in their position:

1. I trained them poorly. As an employer, I'm obligated to train my employees to perform a task. Have you been properly trained to perform your job? If not, ask for additional training in the areas that give you the most trouble. Any job requires the best training you can get. I'm assuming you did the Way of the Master twice on purpose.

2. You are working outside your skill set. I managed two car dealerships back in the day. I hired and trained all the salespeople. Some folks couldn't sell water to a thirsty man. Nice people but they just weren't cut out for the job.

3. You're working outside your calling. You will never be settled vocationally until you are in the center of God's will for your life. I was making six figures in the car business. My first church paid me $150 a week and had a parsonage.

4. Work allergies. Some folks are plain lazy and don't want to give a day's work for a day's wage. They will come up with any excuse to quit.

It doesn't matter what you do for a living. If you find yourself shoveling poo out of a calf pen then shovel like you were doing it for Jesus -- because you are.

 

[SolaSaint]

You can say that again. Did you get let go? Sometimes you make them look bad and they want you gone.

No, thankfully I left and took a better job back with the USAF.

 

[evangelist6589]

What in the name of Sam Hill are you doing at this job? Building rockets? Fission? Extracting DNA? Writing computer programs?

I have owned, operated and managed businesses in many different fields. Here's some things I've observed when an employee is having difficulty in their position:

1. I trained them poorly. As an employer, I'm obligated to train my employees to perform a task. Have you been properly trained to perform your job? If not, ask for additional training in the areas that give you the most trouble. Any job requires the best training you can get. I'm assuming you did the Way of the Master twice on purpose.

2. You are working outside your skill set. I managed two car dealerships back in the day. I hired and trained all the salespeople. Some folks couldn't sell water to a thirsty man. Nice people but they just weren't cut out for the job.

3. You're working outside your calling. You will never be settled vocationally until you are in the center of God's will for your life. I was making six figures in the car business. My first church paid me $150 a week and had a parsonage.

4. Work allergies. Some folks are plain lazy and don't want to give a day's work for a day's wage. They will come up with any excuse to quit.

It doesn't matter what you do for a living. If you find yourself shoveling poo out of a calf pen then shovel like you were doing it for Jesus -- because you are.

I was not trained well at first and I have been very overwhelmed. However the good news is that they hired an additional hand to also work in the area where I work and the duties have been split. However I have noticed he does not work any OT. Today I volunteered to work for 4 hours while he refused and always wants to be out at 2:30pm.

It may be true that some of the duties are beyond my skill-set as I have never done this type of a job before. However other parts of the job I do well at. But know since they changed my schedule to work 9-5:30pm instead of 6-2:30pm it will be very difficult to find another job better suited for me unless I take time off which is not a good idea, so basically I am stuck in the job. Working till 2:30pm gave me time to go to interviews but I lost that opportunity.

 

[preacher4truth]

I was not trained well at first and I have been very overwhelmed. However the good news is that they hired an additional hand to also work in the area where I work and the duties have been split. However I have noticed he does not work any OT. Today I volunteered to work for 4 hours while he refused and always wants to be out at 2:30pm.

It may be true that some of the duties are beyond my skill-set as I have never done this type of a job before. However other parts of the job I do well at. But know since they changed my schedule to work 9-5:30pm instead of 6-2:30pm it will be very difficult to find another job better suited for me unless I take time off which is not a good idea, so basically I am stuck in the job. Working till 2:30pm gave me time to go to interviews but I lost that opportunity.

So this newest job is beginning to unravel?

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Yes but what if your job is very overwhelming and confusing. What if you are working your tail off, and what if you still make mistakes? You are pursuing excellence but its a tough job and about twice as complicated as my last job.

You often complain about this, no matter what job you have. I haven't been around long, but I gather that this becomes a problem for you in every line of work you've tried.

You need a career counselor. They will help you find work you are qualified to do. I would not hesitate to find one, if I were you. You haven't been working in the right fields of employment.

 

[evangelist6589]

You often complain about this, no matter what job you have. I haven't been around long, but I gather that this becomes a problem for you in every line of work you've tried.

You need a career counselor. They will help you find work you are qualified to do. I would not hesitate to find one, if I were you. You haven't been working in the right fields of employment.

I had a perfect fit in SC, however I have not found that job in my new state as of yet. But the claim that I have had this problem in every job I have tried is a false one. You probably won't reply but will continue to broadcast this lie in the future. This may tell me your motives.

 

[evangelist6589]

So this newest job is beginning to unravel?

I don't know. I have worked OT, done what I was told, and had a good attitude. My work ethics and my team playing abilities have been commended. However the job may not be the best fit for me. I had a perfect fit in SC other than the hours. It may take a few tries to find the right fit.

 

[evangelist6589]

You often complain about this, no matter what job you have. I haven't been around long, but I gather that this becomes a problem for you in every line of work you've tried.

You need a career counselor. They will help you find work you are qualified to do. I would not hesitate to find one, if I were you. You haven't been working in the right fields of employment.

This is a lie. In fact I liked and felt well with my job in SC other than the work hours. I was a perfect fit for it. In my new state I have not had such luck as of yet, but it may take awhile, just as it took awhile to find a spouse. But I was persistent and never gave up, despite the many rejections. I ignored critics unless they had something of value to say.