LESSON 6 * Ju ly 31–August 6
Religion in the
Workplace
S ABBATH AFTERNOON
Read for This Week’s Study: Gen. 2:15, 3:17-19; Lev.
19:35, 36; Eccles. 9:10; Matt. 18:21; Luke 15:11-32.
Memory Text: “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who
takes crooked paths will be found out” (Proverbs 10:9, NIV).
n the aftermath of a ferry disaster in 1987 near Belgium, the
I experts faced serious problems in identifying all the victims. They
found that one of them had a double identity; he had lived for
years under one name in England and under another name in France.
Just imagine how difficult it must have been for this man to keep
those two lives, with two families and two sets of friends, in two dif-
ferent countries, totally separate.
This kind of situation does not, of course, occur very often. But
in many ways people can live double or even multiple lives. That
goes for Christians too. We must make sure not to compartmental-
ize our life into totally different spheres, in which we are quite dif-
ferent persons in different places. We must be the same kind of per-
son in the workplace as we are at home or in church, operating with
the same set of Christian values. This week we’ll take a look at some
Bible principles on how we as Christians should behave in the work-
place.
The Week at a Glance: What happened to work after the
Fall? What are the obligations of a Christian employer and
employee? How should Christians give or receive discipline and
correction?
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, August 7.
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S U N D AY August 1
Work Ethic (Gen. 2:15, 3:17-19).
Read Genesis 2:[Link] does it tell us about the existence of work
in the pre-Fall world?
According to the Bible, work existed even in Paradise, in a perfect
environment. Obviously, work must have been something good, some-
thing that was an integral part of God’s original plan for the human
race. After the Fall, the concept of work continued but, no doubt, in a
radically different environment than before.
Read Genesis 3:17-19. What does it imply about work in the post-
Fall world?
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Cursed, sorrow, sweat, thorns, thistles—these are some of the
words used to describe the fate that awaited humanity because of sin,
words used even in the context of the work human beings would need
to do in a fallen world.
Read carefully Genesis 3:17. What does it mean that God “cursed . . .
the ground” for the sake of Adam?
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“The thorn and the thistle—the difficulties and trials that make his
life one of toil and care—were appointed for his good as a part of the
training needful in God’s plan for his uplifting from the ruin and
degradation that sin has wrought.”—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ,
p. 9. In other words, the Lord made life more difficult for the race, not
as punishment but as a means to help mitigate against the ravages of
sin. This principle can be seen often, even today: Those who engage
in honest labor usually get into less trouble than those who are idle,
with nothing to do. There’s something about the discipline and routine
of work that, under the right circumstances, can help build character,
a crucial task for beings steeped in sin.
In what ways, in your own experience, have you seen the ben-
efits and blessings that come from work?
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M O N DAY August 2
“Whatsoever Thy Hand Findeth . . .”
(Eccles. 9:10).
Whether in the poignant paintings of Vincent Van Gogh, who tried to
capture the hardship of coal miners toiling at their task, or in some of the
beautiful prose of Leo Tolstoy, who all but romanticized the toil of peas-
ants in the field, human beings have sought to capture, in one way or
another, the inescapable fact of work. With rare exceptions, most people
have worked in one capacity or another. Many people, in fact, spend a
great deal of their time working. The big question for Christians, then, is
What kind of relationships should we have in the workplace?
Read Ecclesiastes 9:[Link] is this text telling us that could give us
a principle for the Christian on the job?
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One thing most of us have learned, or at least should have learned, is
that if we profess to be Christians, people will watch us. As Christians,
we make some pretty bold claims, claims about having a new life in
Christ, about having a peace that passes all understanding, about striving
for a higher moral ideal. We are witnesses, in one way or another (Isa.
43:10, 1 Cor. 4:9, 2 Cor. 3:2). Thus, think for a moment: Which would
give a better witness to your faith: if you were a hard, diligent, honest
worker who did not only what was expected of you but perhaps even
more, or if you were a slacker—cutting corners, trying to get away with
as much as you could? The answer, of course, is obvious. Sure, there are
all sorts of circumstances that can, at times, make it difficult for us to be
good witnesses at work, but, as a rule, a Christian should be a reliable,
honest worker doing what he or she is paid for, knowing the true reward
is not here but in a new heaven and a new earth. In this context, Ellen
White wrote of Christ’s early years: “He was not willing to be defective,
even in the handling of tools. He was perfect as a workman, as He was
perfect in character. By His own example He taught that it is our duty to
be industrious, that our work should be performed with exactness and
thoroughness, and that such labor is honorable. . . . All should find some-
thing to do that will be beneficial to themselves and helpful to others.
God appointed work as a blessing, and only the diligent worker finds the
true glory and joy of life.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 72.
The text in Ecclesiastes and the excerpt from Ellen White pres-
ent an ideal attitude about work. How does your attitude com-
pare? If you’re honest with yourself, what changes do you need
to make?
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T U E S DAY August 3
Christian Values in the Workplace:
Part 1
Buying a secondhand car is often considered a rather hazardous
adventure. The car may be beautifully cleaned and polished, but what
dark secrets are hidden under the hood? Can you trust the odometer?
It is said that one should never buy a car from, or sell a car to, a
friend, since this may well put the friendship in jeopardy. This should
not apply to Christians. Our business deals must be above reproach,
whether we privately sell our car or whether we trade professionally.
Indeed, whatever work or business we are in and whatever level at
which we work we should be honest, honorable, and fair, because
that is what our God tells us to be.
Look up the following [Link] is each one saying, and what are
their messages for Christians in the workplace? Lev. 19:35, 36;
Prov. 10:17; Jer. 22:13; Mal. 3:5.
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Whether employer or employee, as a Christian we need to be hon-
est and fair with either our employer or employees. The only thing
worse than employees who abuse their work situation by being dis-
honest are employers who are dishonest with those under their super-
vision.
Read again Leviticus 19:35, 36. What motivation is given for honesty
in business dealing?
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Because we are Christians, our concepts of right and wrong, good
and evil, aren’t based merely on the fluctuating whims of culture and
time, which change from culture to culture and from time to time;
rather, they are based on the eternal God, who never changes (James
1:17). Thus, we should do what is right and honest, because those
things that are right and honest are rooted in God, our Creator and
Redeemer. We shouldn’t manifest honesty, integrity, and fairness
only when they suit us, when they work to our advantage; rather, they
should be foundational principles that underlie all we do as
Christians, whether at home or in the workplace.
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W E D N E S DAY August 4
Christian Values in the Workplace:
Part 2
Read Proverbs 16:32,10:1, and 12:1 carefully and prayerfully. What
do these texts teach us regarding the importance of discipline and
correction?
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Whether it is the army or a school or a factory or whether we talk
about the home or the church, discipline is essential. The issue of disci-
pline is a coin with two sides. Most of us will, at least from time to time,
have to discipline others: children, co-workers, or church members. We
must learn how to do this with consistency, tact, justice, and compas-
sion. But we must also be receptive to discipline and learn how to
accept counsel, direction, and, if necessary, correction all in a mature
and constructive manner. As Christians in the workplace, we must learn
not only to give discipline and correction but to receive it, as well.
We have all through the Bible , particularly in the Gospels, exam-
ples of Jesus either forgiving offenders (John 8:4-11) or teaching
us the principles of forgiveness (Matt. 18:21, 22; Luke 15:11-32).
How helpful are these texts for a Christian employer or supervi-
sor who is dealing with a troublesome employee? Do these texts,
though, imply that no discipline or correction should be adminis -
tered, or are they, instead, teaching a principle that could, in the
right context, be applied in the workplace?
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At the same time, a Christian employee could believe he or she has
been treated unfairly by his or her boss. Jesus, however, expressed
some powerful words regarding the attitude of those who are treated
unfairly (Matt. 5:38-42).
Look at Matthew 5:38-42. In what ways is this passage helpful for
understanding how an employee should react to unfairness? Do
these verses mean an employee should, therefore, accept abuse
unconditionally, or do they teach something else? Explain your
answer.
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T H U R S DAY August 5
Seeing Potential in Others (Acts 15:36-41,
2 Tim. 4:11).
Unfortunately, we do not always look for the best in others. We
often tend to see the things others cannot do rather than the things
they could do if properly trained and challenged to do so! In our rela-
tionships with co-workers, we need to build on one another’s
strengths rather than to focus primarily on one another’s weaknesses.
What kind of people did Christ choose as His disciples? What does
that teach us? Matt. 4:18-22, 9:9, Luke 5:1-11.
It has often been remarked that very few of us would have chosen
these kind of men as our closest co-workers. But Christ saw the
potential in some uneducated fishermen, as well as in an unpopular
tax collector, and He challenged them to follow Him and work with
Him. They received three years of intensive training and then went out
into the world. Jesus discovered them and recognized a potential in
these men that few of us would have detected.
Paul had a sharp disagreement with Barnabas about John Mark’s
suitability for a leading role in the work of the church. Barnabas
believed there was potential in John Mark, while Paul pointed to
John Mark’s weakness in the past. See Acts 15:36-41, 2 Tim. 4:11.
What lessons are here for us (in the context of today’s study)?
When we hear a sermon on these passages, there usually is sharp
criticism for Paul and praise for Barnabas. However, we owe it to Paul
to put ourselves for a moment in his shoes. John Mark deserted and
left Paul and Barnabas when they reached Pamphylia on their first
missionary journey, even before the task was completed. It stands to
reason that Paul did not want to run the risk that this would happen
again.
In our day and age, we tend to argue as Paul did. If we have a
choice, we do not continue with someone who has let us down at a
crucial moment. Yet, on the other hand, how many of us know people
who never again faltered when given a second chance to prove them-
selves? Maybe we ourselves have been such a person.
Dwelling on the lesson for today, ask yourself, Have I too
quickly written off someone who has failed me in the past,
either in the workplace or in any other situation?
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F R I D AY August 6
Further Study: “If you have taken advantage in your business
dealings, which the Lord calls injustice, this must be adjusted before
you can be honest and righteous in the sight of God. These things
need to be corrected by our people everywhere. . . . When you take
up this work of readjustment and getting right with God, angels of
heaven will cooperate with you, giving you discernment to see where
you have viewed matters in a wrong light. . . .
“The Lord can not bless the men who corrupt themselves by unjust
business dealings, either with their brethren or with worldlings. And
those who do such things lose their spirituality; they grow cold and
formal and selfish. They gloss over their past mistakes by theories of
their own invention that are opposed to the principles of the Word of
God.”—Ellen G. White, This Day With God, p. 343.
Discussion Questions:
●
1 Putting aside the obvious things that involve outright crime
or vice, are there certain respectable jobs that Christians, in
good conscience, cannot do? If so, what are they, and why should
a Christian in good conscience not do these kinds of work?
●2 Suppose your boss asked you to work on Sabbath; you said
you couldn’t but knew someone else in the office who would take
your place. Suppose, however, your boss asked you to steal or lie,
and you said you couldn’t but knew someone else in the office
who would take your place. What, if any, is the difference
between the two situations?
Summary: As Christians, we bring our religion with us as we enter
the workplace. Though there are usually limits to the amount of open
discussion about religious subjects that can take place, we must still
operate only with Christian values. Working together with others in a
positive spirit is high on our agenda. Absolute honesty and
integrity—as well as love, compassion, and justice—will characterize
our conduct. And while we seek to display these values ourselves, we
will also try to bring out the best in others and do what we can to
make them realize their full potential.
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I N S I D E
Stor
Turning Opposition
Into Blessing by J. H. Z ACHARY
The Volga Conference in Russia is a challenging field in which to work.
A lingering communist influence, a strong national church, and several
Muslim communities in the area make this a difficult area to penetrate
with the gospel. In 1999 the director of Global Mission for the conference
and two volunteers went to a town of 45,000 citizens and began scattering
seeds of faith. This town has three large national churches. The Adventists
had not been in the region long when the priests of these three churches
set out to work to oppose them.
When the Adventists began holding evangelistic meetings in the
town, the police arrested them and took them to headquarters for ques-
tioning. But when they checked the Adventists’ papers and found every-
thing in order, they had to release the trio. Later the Adventists learned
that one of the priests with close ties to the police had requested their
arrest.
The next day while the Adventists were shopping, a gang of rough-
looking young men threatened them, “Leave our city within 24 hours, or
you will die!”
“We are not afraid of you,” the pastor told the gang members. “We are
not breaking any laws. We will stay and hold our meetings.”
Soon posters appeared throughout the city warning the residents of the
“great danger” from the “Seventh-day Adventist sect” that had invaded
their town. “Be careful. Do not attend their meetings. Do not associate
with them,” the posters warned.
When one woman saw the poster, tears filled her eyes. “Thank God my
prayers have been answered,” she exclaimed.
The woman, an Adventist, and her husband had moved to this city a
year before. She had been praying that God would send some Adventists
to her.
She urged her husband to attend the meetings with her. At the close of
the meetings, 27 persons took their stand for Christ, and a company was
organized.
The next year another evangelistic series was planned. The police
chief gave them permission to hold their meetings and told them to fear
no disturbances.
From one community to another in this difficult area, God is spreading
the message in unentered areas in spite of strong opposition.
J. H. ZACHARY is coordinator of international evangelism for The Quiet Hour.
Produced by the General Conference Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Dept.
E m a i l : g o m i s s i o n @ g c . a dv e n t i s t . o rg 53
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