Is God Against Your World?

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.  Mark 12: 30

Can you give God your heart AND be a good employee?

It is clear throughout God’s word that he wants our hearts.  Not just a piece of our hearts, but our full hearts.  In Mark 10 and Matthew 19, we read a story of a man who sadly walked away from Jesus because he couldn’t do it.  Even though he had been good his whole life, he was not willing to give his full heart.  But others did and lived to tell amazing stories.  The high standard that Jesus set in Mark 12 hasn’t changed for us today.  Yet how this commitment fits into our regular day to day responsibilities can be confusing.

In giving your full heart to Jesus, does it put Him in conflict with your job, academics, or other responsibilities?  Should the decision that Jesus will be your Lord be one that also causes you to be less committed to being an excellent employee, or not pursuing a possible promotion or higher degree?  Should you be less of a student and settle for a passing grade versus being top of the class?  Or should you take a lesser job to glorify God?

There are several Biblical examples of people that held jobs, just like many today.  Nehemiah, Daniel, Lydia, Joseph, Priscilla `and Aquila, and the unnamed woman described in Proverbs 31 are fantastic examples for us.  These men and women got up each morning, they had interactions with good and bad customers, talked with other co-workers, and many reported to a boss of a different faith.  They had work deadlines, responsibilities, and commitments.  And in so many cases, they worked hard and were successful employees.  They were trustworthy and responsible, had high integrity, and held senior positions of authority AND were examples for us today because of their love for God.  If you are familiar with any of their stories, you know that they were people of good character and that God clearly used these people THROUGH their jobs and their success, not despite them.

So why would it be any different for you today?  Whether a student, employee or whatever roles you have, God desires your FULL life to be in service of Him, not just the church or perceived spiritual parts. 

But when giving our full heart to God our reasoning changes.  You shouldn’t seek after academic success or job promotions for the goals the world presents to you.  It is not a job title on a business card or the extra money or benefits that should be the driver.  And pursuing excellence should not be at the expense of your time with God or with others in God’s church. 

Giving your full heart to God is about you and your response to Him, and is reflected in your action and character.  You should go after excelling in your responsibilities because of God’s love for you and in the spirit of doing your best for Him.  Just as these Biblical examples, any person today that has made Jesus the priority of their life should be increasingly wholehearted in being a great student, they should have high integrity on their job, and should seek to be a model of exemplary work for their co-workers.  Chasing the top score on the test or the excelling on the job that you are called to do is glorifying to God.  These behaviors are not in conflict with God but are natural fruits that uphold the decision of making Jesus your Lord.  God is not against your responsibilities! The effort given in the latter serves the former.

And you will find that this good character is attractive to people God has put around you.  If you would like to reach out to a co-worker, offering spiritual help, being a friend, or extending an invitation to come with you to a Bible discussion group, being an honest person of high integrity who is devoted to doing excellent work will help you.  And as a bonus, just as was often the case in the Biblical characters mentioned, these traits will inevitably lead to higher grades and promotions.

Do you feel conflicted?  Do you know how God used these biblical people through their full lives?  Or where can you make changes in your personal character in school or on the job?

Let us know what you think!