This post is the second in a series by DeliberateU’s Darren Bosch on Work is Worship.
“So we’re gonna sing “Kumbaya” at work, rub each others backs and evangelize all day? That’s all nice, but it’s not the real world. To be successful we have to get the work done – we have to make money!”
Some of us still stand on the proverbial shores unsure, skeptically dipping our feet into these new waters. Do you feel the tension in using work as worship? Is there a strain between serving others and making sure that your business gets its needed results? Herein lies the false dilemma that often brings us unneeded guilt. But there’s hope!
As we uncovered last week, God loves our work. Because our business is to be an expression of Him, He’s deeply interested in every part of business. All of this - how we balance books, run great systems, innovate, hire and fire, make healthy profit and care for people - matters! He designed us to run our businesses with excellence. That means he’s deeply interested, involved and holds us accountable in our business’ customer service, sales, finances and operations. So yes, he cares about your bottom line. It too is an act of worship!
If you’re not sure, reflect on these verses…
Competency increases our capacity to do more good!
“Observe people who are good at their work— skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don’t take a backseat to anyone.” Proverbs 22:29 MSG
Honest profit is an outcome of hard work!
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty”. Proverbs 14:23 NIV
Over the years at DeliberateU we have honed the art of business down to three foundational pillars. Wrapped in a kingdom-focused culture these 3 are:
- People: creating a great place to work, one where people are growing
- Customers: creating a “wow” experience through great product and service
- Business Results: creating a healthy, sustainable and profitable business that is well positioned to grow and give back
When these 3 are working in synergy something stunningly beautiful takes place! Rooted in the essence of the Great Commandment of Matthew 22:38-40 NLT they unleash in us the capacity to reflect God’s creativity, excellence, grace and truth. They allow us to worship Him by blessing and serving people. But here’s the scoop: it starts with people. No, not the locking-arms-together chanting “we are the world” thing. The gospel “thing”.
How can we glorify God in the spheres of team and customer experience together with business processes, all while producing a healthy bottom line? Watch how Cardone Industries delivers on all three:
When we intentionally build the businesses entrusted to us in a God-focused way, our work becomes worship. Our work opens up opportunities to practically serve people while blessing them, their families and communities. Is your business an act of worship?
Deliberate Application:
- Do I experience my business and work as toil or worship?
- If work is worship, do I view my business as something I built or something God entrusted me with?
- If I’m to speak the truth with love and grace, how does that change my people-pleasing nature? Do I care for people, carry people or care-less for people?
- What adjustments are you sensing God asking of you?
