HOW IS YOUR WORK ETHIC?

I do a lot of reading in the field of leadership and customer service and today's view of the work world runs congruently with what is happening in our society -- it's all about ME! For many people, work is something that you do to just put food on the table, help to pay your bills, and hopefully to provide for the future.

Years ago, I spent three summers working at Sandy Cove as a bus boy/waiter, and under the leadership of several godly leaders, I began to learn the value of hard work and a godly work ethic. Dr. George Palmer, the founder of Sandy Cove, grew up at Girard College in Philadelphia, which as I remember was an orphanage for boys. He was taught the value of a work ethic, and his experiences there helped to shape how he would build his ministry in the future.

Dr. Palmer taught young people that there was a connection between how our work would bring honor to the glory of God. Our work was a reflection on our relationship with the Lord. What I did on the job was significant because it was a reflection on my walk with the Lord.

Years later, I attended Bill Gothard's BASIC YOUTH CONFLICTS seminar and learned that one of the ways that I glorify God is to do my very best on the job so that it makes my employer look good, which ultimately brings glory to God. That concept is not one that I read in 90% of the leadership books as the goal today is to make ME look good.

Solomon wrote "observe people who are good at their work -- skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don't take a back seat to anyone (Proverbs 22:29 -- The Message) Paul wrote: "You slaves must always obey your earthly masters, not only trying to please them when they are watching you but all the time; obey them willingly because of YOUR love for the Lord and because you want to please HIM. Work hard and cheerfully at all you do, just as though you were working for the Lord, and not merely for your masters, remembering that it is the Lord Christ who is going to pay you, giving you your portion of all he owns. HE IS THE ONE YOU ARE REALLY WORKING FOR. And if you don't do your best for him, he will pay you in a way that you won't like -- for he has no special favorites who can get away with shirking (Colossians 3:22-25 Living Bible).

How is your work ethic? How would THE master employer rate you today? Good words to think about as we begin a new week.