Published On: Sun, Nov 30th, 2014

Lighting Our Way Through the Workplace

Friday Sunrise - Have a Great Weekend Boca Raton!  Photo by Rick Alovis

Photo by Rick Alovis

By: Rick Boxx

 

Early in my business career, while working for a certain bank president, many times I needed specific direction for handling critical issues at the bank. My boss used these opportunities to train me in the way he processed business decisions, even showing me how the Bible aided him in making wise choices.

 

On many occasions, he would make reference to a verse or principle from Scripture and then help me in discovering how to apply it to my situation. He was not trying to proselytize me, or impose his spiritual beliefs on me. The bank executive was simply demonstrating both in action and through his words, how the principles and truths of the Bible served as a foundation for how he approached his job and the responsibilities he had for his employees, customers and shareholders.

 

I was skeptical at first, wondering how an old “religious” book could relate to the workplace, but as I watched these decisions play out, I began to see the wisdom in using the Bible as a guidebook for business. It was amazing to discover how relevant and applicable it is for the contemporary business and professional world, despite having been written thousands of years ago.

 

We all have times when circumstances at work seem dark and uncertain. A verse in the Scriptures speaks directly to this, and I have taken it to heart for many years. Psalm 119:105 teaches, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” I cannot tell you how many times I have turned to the Bible and its teachings to illuminate the way for making difficult decisions when confronting various challenges.

 

Whether you are the leader of a team and desire to lead it wisely, or just getting started in your career and trying to find your way, I would strongly recommend using God’s Word as a primary resource for planning and decision-making. Here are some other things we need to understand about the Bible:

 

It teaches the right things to do. We face many temptations to compromise and take shortcuts in the desire to advance our business interests. If we learn the principles of the Bible, even committing them to memory, we can avoid potential pitfalls. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word…. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:9,11).

 

It remains a viable tool for how to conduct ourselves in the workplace regardless of the changing environment. Many books on business practices that were useful centuries or even decades ago are hopelessly out of date, but a unique quality of the Bible is its validity has never faded, since it deals with eternal truths and the unchanging nature of mankind. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

 

It is a manual provided by the Designer. If you want to understand how to properly utilize a tool or machine, it is wise to consult its operating manual to see how it was designed. The Bible claims to be given to mankind by God the Designer, to properly teach, guide, correct and train for successful living. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Until next week! 

Copyright 2013, Integrity Resource Center, Inc. Adapted with permission from “Integrity Moments with Rick Boxx,” a commentary on issues of integrity in the workplace from a Christian perspective. To learn more about Integrity Resource Center or to sign up for Rick’s daily Integrity Moments, visit www.integrityresource.org.

© MONDAY MANNA is a weekly issue of CBMC INTERNATIONAL a non-profit, evangelical ministry that exists to serve business and professional people as followers of Jesus; to present Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior to business and professional men.

About the Author

Discover more from The Boca Raton Tribune

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading