Is Your Work Ethic Turning People Away From Jesus?

Occasionally, I will get students in my classes that openly profess their faith and Christianity. I think that’s great. That’s not the problem I have with them. The problem I have is how they behave after that. Unfortunately a few of them have displayed a lack of integrity in their work ethic.

They profess to be Christians, but then consistently show up to class late or even miss class on a regular basis. There is little to no effort put into assignments. Apathetic and lazy attitudes are apparent in class and in work and effort put forth. Procrastination is a regular practice.  Occasionally there is a disregard for authority.  Sometimes they’ll even say that they don’t really care about college, our particular class, or even a specific lesson because they don’t see the benefit of it or don’t feel they are learning anything new. These types of comments are often accompanied with know-it-all attitudes (that’s for a whole separate post though!).

Part of me wants to shake them or smack them across the head and say “Stop telling people you are a Christian!!! You are doing more harm than good! What nonbeliever would ever want to be like you or have what you have to offer if that’s what it looks like? You’re bad marketing. You’re a bad image of Jesus. Your work ethic DOES NOT represent Jesus well.”

We might be the only ‘Jesus’ people see

I think that’s the thing that a lot of people don’t understand. We are a walking representation of Jesus Christ. Someone told me once, “You might be the only ‘Jesus’ people see.” This was a life lesson I had to personally learn many years ago. In my situation it was in a job that I hated with people I disliked. I had to learn to work with excellence and have outstanding work ethic. I had to learn to do my job as unto the Lord (as if He were my boss) and to be a Christ-like example to others who may not ever get the chance to see one.

Without even realizing it, I had been hurting the influence that I had on others (or could potentially have). Additionally, I was hurting my witness at the same time when I had a poor attitude and work ethic. It took some humbling to realize that if I would do everything I did as if I was doing it directly for God, that He would have my back.

What the Bible says about work ethic

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17 (NLT)

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT)

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV)

“Lazy people irritate their employers, like vinegar to the teeth or smoke in the eyes.” Proverbs 10:26 (NLT)

“Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.” Proverbs 13:4 (NLT)

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Proverbs 14:23 (NIV)

“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.” Ephesians 6:5-8 (NLT)

“Observe people who are good at their work—skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don’t take a backseat to anyone.” Proverbs 22:29 (MSG)

“And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” Jeremiah 29:7 (NLT)

Work Ethic–help or hindrance?

For these select students I mentioned previously, I wish they would have grasped the significance of how their work ethic is a reflection on Jesus. They might never know when they might be a living example of Jesus to either classmates or instructors through their words, actions, and attitudes. They could be helping or hindering the cause of Christ simply by their work ethic. 

I LOVE the way the Message translation of Colossians 3:22-25 reads:

“Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by.  Do your best.  Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance.  Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ.  The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.”

That about sums it up. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work. In fact, it reflects poorly on him to those who know that we are Christians.

This representation isn’t limited to Christianity either. People that are representing something other than themselves are often held to higher standards. I remember in our college sorority, if we were wearing “letters” or were at a sponsored event, we weren’t allowed to do certain things—drink, smoke, use profanity, etc. It was because of what we were representing. In professional athletics the various leagues and associations have many standards when it comes to conduct. When those standards are violated, fines and suspensions are administered.

How about you? How are you representing Christianity? Could your work ethic be turning people away from Jesus?

Take Some Practical Steps To Ensure That Your Work Ethic Represents Jesus Well:

• Remember that as a Christian, you are held to higher standards. Be a person of excellence in all you do. Always remember who you are representing. Others around you are watching whether you realize it or not.
• Write Colossians 3:17 on an index card or post-it note, post it somewhere you will see it every day as a reminder.

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17 (NLT)

• Turn that same verse into a daily prayer and/or positive affirmation.

Prayer:

“Lord, please help me today to be the best representative of Jesus that I can be in everything I say and do. Help me to remember that I can help or hinder the cause of Christ by my work ethic—my words, actions, and attitudes. Help me to remember to do everything I do today as if I’m doing it directly for you. And please gently remind me when I’ve strayed off track in this area. Thank you.”

Daily Positive Affirmation:

“I am a good representative and example of my Lord Jesus in everything I say and do. I do everything I do as unto the Lord, and I have an excellent work ethic.”

• Lastly, if you’ve messed up and you know that your work ethic has not represented Jesus well, fix it. Make apologies where need be. Correct any poor behavior or attitudes. Then, don’t sit around self-condemning, sulking, and beating yourself up. Move forward by doing the right thing from here on out.

We will talk more about what good work ethic looks like more specifically and more practically speaking in a later post. For today, just remember that the things that you do and say reflect on Jesus when you profess to be a Christian.

Have you witnessed someone’s work ethic reflecting badly on Jesus? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below.

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If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward!  Share this post via the sharing links below.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)