When I went to BJU I was trained to work without question, and to work to the best of my ability. After BJU I worked at a company and had a manager whom was a former Navy Battle-ship commander I also was trained to work and not to question authority. However I have noticed that non-military and or structured work environments will easily take advantage and use people whom operate like this. They will put more pressure on you and if you give them a inch they will go a mile. I have noticed this has happened at my new job as well. I try to work without question and to work to the best of my ability but maybe it has not paid off. I notice that I am the only one in my work environment whom operates this way. Am I being foolish in how I work?
How to work as a Christian on the job?
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by evangelist6589, Oct 31, 2013.
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evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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I am going thu something similar. Where I work there are about 3 supervisors I may have - (only 1 supervisor per shift) - since I am part time - I work with various superisors. The next level up from the supervisor is the store manager.
In the military - we also utilize the "Chain of Command" If I do not get satisfaction from the supervisor - I will go to the mananger. However, before I say more to the superviosr, I need to document certian information. - which I have recently started to do.
BTW, though it appears that the military is taught to obey orders without question is not totally correct. We obey LAWFUL orders. If possibe we might question them. In middle of combat is normally not the proper time. -
padredurand Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
"And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two.
Matthew 5:41 NAS77 -
I have been employed by the USAF for 33 years now and I had a short break in between active duty and civilian status where I held a job for about two months. I worked my butt off because I thought I would be keeping that job and I wanted to work my way up to management. It was a factory job. The people I worked with really didn't like me and even told me I was working to fast and doing too good of a job. They had learned to do as little as possible without getting fired. Then I come along and start out producing them by almost double and that didn't settle well. I don't think the American working force is what it used to be.
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evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Ephesians 6: 5-8
Servants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ, not with eyeservice as menpleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,with good will doing service, as to the Lord and not to men,knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive from the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
Collosians 3:22-25
Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice as menpleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not unto men,knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance, for ye serve the Lord Christ. -
evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Work hard, do your best, do whatever it takes, those principles will pay off for you, if you keep longer view than today or this week.
But as far as working without question; there is nothing wrong with questioning why. Often the only way we get efficiency gains and improvements to jobs is because instead of working blindly someone asked the question, “Why are we doing something this way?” The key is to ask in a way that is tactful and helpful, not argumentative.
I believe you never get ahead by making your boss look bad. I have had some terrible bosses over the years. There have been a few really good ones, but more bad than good. I did my best to make them all look good. I don’t believe you ever get ahead by knocking the guy ahead of you off the ladder.
Now there are some employers who will recognize this and some won’t, but do you really want to work for one of the ones who won’t? -
evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Lately they hired someone else to also work in the area where I work as the job is overwhelming for one person as I have not taken any breaks my first month because if I did I would fall behind in the work load. I only took lunches. However they bumped me to working at 9am instead of 6am and all without asking, because they knew I would just do what I have been told and not question them. However things could be allot worse as I could be working 2nd shift and weekends of which I would find another job before that. -
These are from Steve Marr's Business Proverbs website.
http://www.stevemarr.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=111&Itemid=44
1. Quite simply, the Golden Rule.
Matthew 7, NASBWhether customer, supplier, manager, or fellow worker, do the things that make you respect, admire and honor others.
12 "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets."
2. Give full measure to your customers, employees, co-workers, managers.
Luke 6Give good value to your customers, give good work to your employer, give good support to those around you, subordinate or higher-up.
38 "Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure -- pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return."
3. Discern the truth, not relying on emotions, prejudices, or personal perspective.
Seek out the facts, don't jump to conclusions, and make sure you have all of the truth before acting.
4. Commit to providing a high quality service, product, or performance.
Ecclesiastes 11You are only as good as your last performance or product. No matter how great a service you have provided in the past, one lapse in Christian work ethic establishes a benchmark from which you can only rise.
3 If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies.
As to providing witness in work place, Focus on the Family has an excellent article on its website.
- Do you fake happiness even when you are sad about something?
- Have you ever shared a personal concern with a co-worker?
- Have you openly spoken about how God helped you during a tough time?
- Do your actions at work reflect your Christian principles?
- Are you pursing excellence, as working for the Lord, not for men?
- Do you have a vision for your workplace?
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I once read a quotation in an office that has stuck with me for over 50 years; "You are judged solely on your results, not on the difficulty you encounter in attaining it". -
evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Yes but what if your job is very overwhelming and confusing. What if you are working your tail off, and what if you still make mistakes? You are pursuing excellence but its a tough job and about twice as complicated as my last job. -
padredurand Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
I have owned, operated and managed businesses in many different fields. Here's some things I've observed when an employee is having difficulty in their position:
1. I trained them poorly. As an employer, I'm obligated to train my employees to perform a task. Have you been properly trained to perform your job? If not, ask for additional training in the areas that give you the most trouble. Any job requires the best training you can get. I'm assuming you did the Way of the Master twice on purpose.
2. You are working outside your skill set. I managed two car dealerships back in the day. I hired and trained all the salespeople. Some folks couldn't sell water to a thirsty man. Nice people but they just weren't cut out for the job.
3. You're working outside your calling. You will never be settled vocationally until you are in the center of God's will for your life. I was making six figures in the car business. My first church paid me $150 a week and had a parsonage.
4. Work allergies. Some folks are plain lazy and don't want to give a day's work for a day's wage. They will come up with any excuse to quit.
It doesn't matter what you do for a living. If you find yourself shoveling poo out of a calf pen then shovel like you were doing it for Jesus -- because you are. -
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evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
It may be true that some of the duties are beyond my skill-set as I have never done this type of a job before. However other parts of the job I do well at. But know since they changed my schedule to work 9-5:30pm instead of 6-2:30pm it will be very difficult to find another job better suited for me unless I take time off which is not a good idea, so basically I am stuck in the job. Working till 2:30pm gave me time to go to interviews but I lost that opportunity. -
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You need a career counselor. They will help you find work you are qualified to do. I would not hesitate to find one, if I were you. You haven't been working in the right fields of employment. -
evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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