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Book Feature

Four Attributes of an Effective Workplace Witness

By Os Hillman

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands” (Psalm 90:17).

If I were to ask you to describe the core attributes of a person who exemplifies God’s ideal for a Christian in the workplace, what would you say?

Over the past several years, I have observed four key qualities exhibited by workplace believers who are transforming their workplaces for Christ. Let’s take a look at them.

1. A Quality of Excellence

One of the four ways we can make an impact for Christ on our workplace is by doing our work with excellence. In the Bible, Bezalel was a man handpicked by God to perform an important work—to design and build the Ark of the Covenant. He was also the first man described in Scripture as being filled with the Spirit of God: “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship’” (Exodus 31:1-6). The work of Christians should be excellent in every way because we have the Spirit of God operating in us.

One of the easiest ways to discredit Christ in the workplace is for Christians to do inferior work. In order to earn respect, our work should stand apart because we do our work for the Lord (see Colossians 3:17). Doing quality work will not be the primary means of winning others to Christ, but doing poor work can disqualify us very quickly from ever having the opportunity to present Christ in a positive light. So go the extra mile when necessary. Make the effort to serve those around you. Do your work with excellence.

2. A Foundation of Ethics and Integrity

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle once played a practical joke on 12 respected and well-known men he knew. He sent out 12 telegrams with the same message on each: “Flee at once. All is discovered.” Within 24 hours, all 12 men had left the country! (Source: Paul J. Meyer, My Work Is My Ministry: They Are One and the Same! Waco, TX: Paul J. Meyer Resources, 2003: p. 18) Obviously, each of these men had something to hide. The cover had suddenly been pulled away to reveal their true natures. The bottom line is that ethics are important.

It’s hard to live a life of servanthood and watch others prosper when we ourselves are in need. When our desires and jealousy become so great that we are willing to violate our ethics and integrity, we have moved to a dangerous place. We walk out from under the canopy of God’s protection in our lives, saying that His provision is not enough.

I call Psalm 15 the “Ethics Psalm.” I particularly like the way The Message paraphrases it: “God, who gets invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list? ‘Walk straight, act right, tell the truth. Don’t hurt your friend, don’t blame your neighbor; despise the despicable. Keep your word even when it costs you, make an honest living, never take a bribe. You’ll never get blacklisted if you live like this.”

Each of us has the potential of losing our integrity if we do not have a foundation built into our lives that makes us willing to receive only what God gives us through the fruit of our obedience.

3. Extravagant Love and Service

The Bible tells us that while we were yet sinners, Christ came and paid our penalty so that we might live eternally. Many in the workplace have never known the love of Christ. You might be the only one they ever meet who can introduce them to this love. “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).

When you genuinely take an interest in another person in the workplace, you become credible in his or her eyes. You stand out among the crowd. Many busy people equate time with love and service. This is what the world is looking for.

4. Signs and Wonders

The fourth attribute of an effective workplace witness is signs and wonders. The Early Church made a huge impact on society not through knowledge, ethics or service alone, but through demonstrating the power of God. “The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people” (Acts 5:12).

Jesus gave His apostles the anointing that allowed them to perform miraculous signs. “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even grater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12). Unfortunately, most Christians in the workplace today do not realize God desires to reveal Himself in miraculous ways in their workplaces, We have been satisfied to have the gospel but deny its power. God is raising up a new kind of workplace believer who is experiencing the power of God in daily work life.

Excellence, ethics and integrity, extravagant love and service, and signs and wonders—these are the attributes of the worker that God is using in dramatic ways. May the Lord allow you to make these four qualities part of the makeup of your own workplace.

Excerpted with permission from The 9 to 5 Window by Os Hillman © 2005 Regal Books.

For more information visit www.marketplaceleaders.org <http://www.marketplaceleaders.org/>