Think about employment today. The vast majority of employees look for what they can get for themselves. Employers are no different. They try to get more and more out of the employees for less and less.
What is a Christian’s responsibility to his employer? And how can he get along with workplace leadership that may not be saved? Here are several biblical principles to help you get along with your leader.
1. Establish Right and Proper Motives to Work
“Many seek the ruler’s favor, but every man’s judgment cometh from the Lord” (Proverbs 29:26).
To be a good employee and get along with the leader, you must have the proper motive—you are there first to please your God, and second to be a good employee to your employer.
God says it is not wise to seek the ruler’s favor for self gain, only for God’s gain. It’s up to God to lift you up. Your motive ought to be to honor God and expand His kingdom and not to promote yourself and your own personal agenda.
2. Depend Upon and Pray for God to Touch the Heart of the Leader
“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord and as the rivers of water, He turneth it whithersoever He will” (Proverbs 21:1).
Never forget this: The leader’s mind, heart, and ability to make decisions is in God’s hands; and like a river, God can turn it whithersoever He wants. Even as Pharaoh was in opposition to Moses, God still controlled Pharaoh’s heart.
3. Always Avoid Self-Promotion
“Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6).
A leader is looking for a faithful servant, not another leader who expects to take his place. Absalom convinced his own father, David, that he loved him. Yet for forty years he stole the hearts and minds of many people.
As a pastor and employer, once I truly believe an employee is here to help me, I don’t care how far he rises in expertise in his own areas. Every leader has some fear of losing his position. Therefore, an employee must convey the idea that he is there to serve his employer—not to take his job.
4. Never Bring Shame to the Leader
“The king’s favor is toward a wise servant; but his wrath is against him that causeth shame” (Proverbs 14:35).
Leaders can’t afford to consistently make mistakes. We should never bring shame against our employers. They need us to enhance their reputation. The best way to guard your position and promote yourself is to make the leader look good.
When Joseph was hired by Potiphar, everything prospered. Because of that, Potiphar turned everything into his hands. But if an employee is hired and makes the leader look bad, he will not stay around for long.
One Sunday morning when I asked for blessings from the congregation, one of the bus drivers raised his hand and said, “Pastor, I just wanted to tell everyone how good God is. Our bus broke down fifteen feet before the railroad tracks. Thank the Lord, someone came and towed us all the way to church.”
The tow may have been a nice blessing to the driver, but the rest of the congregation just heard that a bus broke down near a railroad track. The driver brought shame to the entire church and bus ministry. Let’s never bring shame to those in authority.
5. Choose Wisdom as Your Principle Objective
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting, get understanding”(Proverbs 4:7).
We read in Proverbs 14:35 that the king’s favor is toward a wise servant. A leader is thrilled to find a wise employee that can handle matters with discretion.
Joseph was promoted from a slave to the second in command of Egypt because he sought God’s wisdom. God’s wisdom teaches us every trait we need to be a good employee.
This is part one of this article. Click here for part two.