Christians on the Job by David Goetsch

Author:David Goetsch
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Workplace and compromising your faith
Publisher: Salem Books
Published: 2018-11-11T16:00:00+00:00

SELFLESSNESS IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH COWORKERS

For most of us, selflessness can be a real challenge. Human beings are inclined to be selfish, not selfless. If this were not true, there would be no need for the many admonishments in the Bible against selfishness. The Bible is replete with guidance admonishing us to be selfless, to seek not our own good but the good of others. Paul wrote of this in Philippians 2:3–4, where he told us to do nothing from selfishness and to count others more important than ourselves. He goes on to say we should look not just to our own interests but also to those of others. Notice Paul does not say in these verses we are to completely neglect ourselves. Rather, he says we should not focus solely on our own interests but also on the interests of others. He is not telling us to neglect our own work, responsibilities, or interests. Rather, he encourages us to remember the needs of others while taking care of our own. Paul wants our focus to be outward, not inward.

It appears Paul understood his audience. He knew that as sinners we do not have to be admonished to look out for number one. Doing so comes naturally. To put Paul’s admonition into a workplace context, we are to look to the needs of our coworkers and help them in every way we can without neglecting our own work and responsibilities. I understand this can be difficult counsel to accept, even for the most committed Christians. I have been told many times by Christian brothers and sisters they barely have time to take care of themselves, much less others. My response to this complaint is always the same: Taking care of others without neglecting yourself is a matter of the heart, not the clock.

Of course, the ultimate example of selflessness is provided by Christ. His example is described in powerful terms in Philippians 2:5–8, where Paul wrote Christ purposefully made Himself low, presenting Himself as a servant, and He humbled Himself by being obedient even to the point of going to His death on the cross. Of course, in going willingly to the cross Christ was looking out for others, not number one. He was looking out for you and me. When you consider the selflessness of Christ, the example we, as Christians, are expected to set in the workplace will seem less daunting.

Pedro is one of the most selfless people I have ever known. He works as a designer for a structural engineering firm and is good at his job. But what really sets Pedro apart from his coworkers is his selflessness. When coworkers fall behind on their projects, Pedro is always the first to come to their assistance. There have been many times when Pedro worked late, came in on weekends, and even gave up holidays to help others in his department get their work done on time. He does this without compensation.

Pedro is an overt and committed Christian who feels it is not just his duty to help others but his privilege.

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