Priests of God in the Workplace
Walking on Holy Ground
People do wonder, How does anything I do in church connect to the real world where I spend most of my week, most of my days, most of my energies and mind? They think, You know, pastor, church, you're just in an unrealistic category of existence. I have to actually live out this real world in my job.
And I want them to understand that God understands that. What we are doing on Sunday is not separate from the real world; it's the full reality of God's people recognizing his glory. And what I want you to be able to do is to recognize that holy ground is always where God's people are doing honest work. When you do your job on Monday through Friday or Saturday—or whatever your work shift is—with honesty and integrity, selflessly, reflecting the character and the care of God, you are on holy ground. You are a priest of God in your workplace.
Grace at Work
Bryan Chapell
Author and pastor Bryan Chapell shares what the Bible teaches about work and how the gospel makes our jobs instruments of his grace.
I know that sounds strange, but you're representing. That's what a priest does. A priest represents the glory of God by showing his character and care to his people. Every person who says, I’m going to ask the question, ‘How would Jesus do my job? How would he speak to people? What would his priorities be? How would he care about other people and do the job? How would he give an honest day's work for the salary that he's receiving?’
But if you will live for Christ, he will honor his own name, and you will be doing eternal things in your earthly job.
If you're willing to ask those questions, you walk on holy ground, and God will honor the work you do. And he'll let you take the resources and the skills and the gifts he has put into your heart and mind and life and give you opportunities to express them.
Now it may require some sacrifice. I know that. But if you will live for Christ, he will honor his own name, and you will be doing eternal things in your earthly job. Every honest job lets you walk on holy ground.
Bryan Chapell is the author of Grace at Work: Redeeming the Grind and Glory of Your Job.
Related Articles
12 Passages to Read to Help Fight Laziness
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
How Does Being Created in the Image of God Change How We Think about Our Work?
Because we're created in the image of God, reflecting him in what we do, we're also fulfilling his purposes for our lives.
The Value of Your Work Isn't Attached to a Dollar Sign
I don’t want to diminish the need to pay people a fair wage for the work they do. But it is important for us to see work as a contribution, and not always with a dollar sign attached to it.
Podcast: Why Your Job Has Meaning and Purpose . . . Even If You Don't Like It (Bryan Chapell)
Bryan Chapell talks about why the work you do day in and day out matters to God—probably more than you realize.
