Workplace ethics and morals in christian living

Workplace ethics and morals are important elements to Christian living. They demonstrate solid character and put one's values and beliefs on display around his/her employer and co-workers.

Many of us go to work everyday, not thinking about how we are seen and/or judged at work. The fact is that everyone is watching us as believers. They are not looking at only your performance at work, but are paying attention to how differently you think and behave from them as well. 

I can remember once, just out of the blue, a former co-worker of mine mentioned to me that she noticed I never swore, nor had ever heard me say a curse word around her, nor around others in our work environment. In all honesty, I wasn't really aware of that fact much either, at least not until she mentioned it to me.  However, I explained to her that I could never curse or blaspheme my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who took the penalty for all my sins on the cross. Although she was surprised by my answer, it gave me the opened opportunity to witness for Christ!


sharing your faith in the workplace

Don't be shy or afraid to share your faith within your work environment. Apart from your family at home, the next group of people you are in close contact with and see everyday are your boss and other co-workers. In many regards, they too are your family, just in a different way. For example they:

  1. Uplift or criticize you, just as some family members do,
  2. Listen to your complaints, your woes, or your triumphs (this could be work-related or family-related),
  3. Become attentive or caring for your welfare when you are sick physically or mentally (or not, just like some family members at home do),
  4. Teach/train you and/or demonstrate certain skills needed for your particular job (perhaps your parents,siblings, or other family members have taught you various skills at home in preparation for life outside the home), and,
  5. Feed you food! On occasions you and your employer or co-workers may get together and enjoy breakfast, lunch, and sometimes dinner. This can be a relaxing time out of your job environment to network or to just unwind and clear your head of the work awaiting you back at the office. (I always enjoyed this benefit the most)

So many opportunities and situations can arise at your job to open up the way to talk about the Lord. However, you must use discernment when doing so. Often through your own personal work ethics and morals you will demonstrate yourself as a believer in Christ. You can't be shy here. If you feel the Lord leading you to talk to someone, then obey Him and go do so.


workplace ethics and morals revealed

Just as it is in your own home, rules, policies, instructions, and values are set forth in one's work environment. It is up to you to honor and follow them. As a valued employee or self-employed entrepreneur, work ethics and morals set the premise for how you are to act and feel while doing the work that is set before you. Here are a few of them worth mentioning:

  • Responsibility: Just how responsible are you at your work and do you take your daily responsibilities seriously? Someone thought, whether it was you (as employer/entrepreneur) or for you as an employee, that the responsibilities given to you were highly important and necessary within the confines of your work itself. As a believer in Christ, this work ethic should not be overlooked.
  • High Integrity: Not that you should feel that you are better than anyone else in the workplace, but it is so important to develop and maintain high integrity among your superiors and other co-workers. This ethic speaks of your whole character, of what you are made of. Are you honest with others and with yourself? When you make a promise to someone, or to yourself, do you actually follow through, or give an excuse for not doing so? Think of yourself as a representative of Christ. Ask the question, "What Would Jesus Do?"...in all situations.
  • Your Resolve: Are you determined to do what is right and true at your job? Are you resolved to do the right thing even if those around you are not? This is where your own Christian morals come to play as well. Those such as honesty, faithfulness, tolerance or intolerance to situations/people; as well as those times where you may be tempted to cheat, steal, or become unfaithful to your spouse with your boss or another co-worker. Would you try to date someone at your workplace who you know is not a believer? Or is that something you know God would not be pleased with, and so you abstain from even the thought of it? Your resolve tells you internally whether you will do a thing or not, based on your internal belief system.
  • Respectful Of Others: Do you respect those placed in positions above you or beneath you? Do you give them their space, allow them to rant at times, or give them their say on things? What about punctuality? Actually, it is considered stealing time from another person if you are late at work or for meetings, etc. It's safe to say that when you respect others, they will give it back to you in turn, usually. And,
  • Reliability and Trustworthiness: Are you a worker who can be trusted with information given you, or money placed in your hands, or not to speak unkindly or gossip talk about others? Being trustworthy as an employee/employer/entrepreneur puts those who do business with you at ease, knowing you can be trusted in all things work-related. Also, reliability is key. Others want to know they can count on you with whatever work is given you to perform and that you have done the work well.

Work requires producing in the workplace

Your work says a lot about you- about your personality, your interests, desires, skills, and capabilities. While you are at work, do you go about your day with gusto and pride with what you are producing for your company? Or, do you feel lazy and procrastinate at every opportunity your boss leaves your office, either because you don't like your work, the environment, other workers, or the boss her/himself?

In all actuality, you are not there to make friends (although it's a nice benefit to have), but to produce--to give a good day's work for a good day's pay. Your workplace is where you may spend about a third of your life around other people, and in which to some degree you are affecting the lives of others. Think about it. That's an awesome responsibility God has placed in your hands!

You may be in a job right now that is not quite optimal for you, or perhaps not your dream job, but God has placed you there, and has given you an opportunity to provide for you and your family. In scripture our Lord has much to say on the subject of work. Christian work ethics and morals are also discussed in God's word as well, so, consider these familiar passages as you go about your daily life in the workplace:

  1.  Colossians 3:23, "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."
  2. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;  that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing."
  3. Proverbs 12:14, "A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him." And,
  4. Ephesians 4:28," Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth."

In conclusion, your workplace is full of exciting and wonderful opportunities not only to have your own faith tested and tried but to also spread the good news that Jesus Christ came to save those who are lost souls within your work environment and outside of it.

In the course of your work day, do not forget to thank the Lord for His goodness in providing you with the employment you have, and therefore the chance to live out and talk about your spiritual faith in front of those with whom you may spend several hours a week. Your workplace provides you with all kinds of opportunities to be a witness. After all, other than the Lord himself, you never know who will be watching! 


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