The Apostle Paul advised the Philippians, "Each of you should look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4). He instructed the Roman Christians, "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." (Romans 12:3)We should not take ourselves so seriously that we fail to consider the well being of others around us. However, the universal temptation is to think of ourselves first, last and in between. The pressure to do so is quite real. Some give in to this temptation on the job, while showing a more caring and thoughtful side on Sunday mornings.
This sort of dichotomy might even be rationalized. After all, church is "family", but the work world is a battle ground where enemies surround us ...isn't it? And these kinds of scripture verses apply mostly among friends we can trust ...don't they?
Such notions are easily rejected in the light of the Great Commission and the Great Commandments.
Jesus Himself taught values of teamwork, charity, helpfulness, empathetic concern, and service. He most often demonstrated and taught these qualities in and around the places where people lived and worked. Paul and countless teachers after him have carried the same message.
As JourneyMen, are we heading to the workplace with a conqueror's heart and a servant's attitude? Are we praying for those around us? Are we sensitive to opportunities to invest ourselves in others? Are we on the lookout for divine appointments? If we are, we will surely identify needs, build relationships, and develop influence. Let this be the path by which God blesses and multiplies our efforts to honor Him in our vocations.
