The Inspired Leader: 101 Biblical Reflections for Becoming a Person of Influence (14 page)

DURING THE 2011-12 National Football League season, Tim Tebow, the rookie quarterback for the Denver Broncos, became a national sensation by routinely praying on the field and for giving God the credit for his success when he was interviewed on television. His actions created a stir among Christians and non-Christians alike concerning the appropriateness of so blatantly using every public opportunity to point people to Christ. Many Christians were delighted with a professional athlete who would take such a bold and public stand for his faith. Others claimed it was overkill. It highlighted a dilemma that many Christians face in the workplace: How publicly can or should I practice my faith? Is the office an appropriate place to verbally thank God for my success? Is the boardroom a proper venue for praying for God’s guidance? Is it right to seemingly impose my faith on colleagues who may not be believers?

Scripture exhorts us: “
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”
(1 Corinthians 10:31). Clearly in even the most basic matters of life, such as eating and drinking, there are ways to honor God. If our life’s purpose is to glorify God, then certainly we cannot set aside the bulk of our workdays as being off limits for our sacred task. Yet the next verse offers this caution: “
Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks, or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved”
(1 Corinthians 10:32-33). Paul urged Christians to avoid offending people with their actions. Instead they were to behave in ways that drew people to Christ.

Jesus cautioned His followers, “
Do not give what is holy to dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces”
(Matthew 7:6). It is important to use wisdom when we share what is precious. In some settings, declaring our faith will merely subject it to the ridicule and derision of others, without attracting them to embrace it themselves. Perhaps Daniel is a helpful example. He served as a top executive in a pagan organization. He walked a fine line, for his boss, and most of his colleagues, rejected his faith and held views contrary to his. We do not hear of Daniel chastising his colleagues for their pagan beliefs or even asking his associates to practice his religious routines. Yet people knew he was a man of prayer and a believer in the true God. He never hid his faith or compromised it before others. This caused him to have enemies, but that was because of their own unbelief and sin, not because of Daniel’s offensive behavior. Ultimately God vindicated Daniel for his integrity, as well as his gracious spirit (Daniel 6).

As Jesus commissioned His disciples, He declared, “
Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves”
(Matthew 10:16). We live in an age when the Christian faith is under attack. There are many who violently oppose it. We must be careful. At the same time, we live in day that calls for us to shine our light for Christ fearlessly and unashamedly. As with so many areas of life, there is no direct, unequivocal teaching on what we should do. We must seek the Spirit’s guidance for our particular situation. Let God show you how He wants you to express your faith where you work.

REFLECT FOR A MOMENT

1. Have you struggled to know how openly to express your faith at work? What are some areas where you are unsure about how openly to talk about your Christian beliefs? Take a moment right now to pray and ask God to guide you.
   

2. Are you presently being the witness God wants you to be at work? Have you allowed your boss or unbelievers to intimidate you from openly declaring your beliefs? How might you take a bolder stand for Christ in the future? Ask other believers to pray for you as you do.
   

3. Have you been too confrontational or outspoken about your faith at work? Could you have inadvertently offended people, rather than attracting them to Christ? Seek God’s guidance in how directly He wants you to present your faith and the Gospel at this time.
   

ON JANUARY 5, 1914, Henry Ford and James Couzens announced the startling news that the Ford Motor Company was doubling factory workers’ wages to the unheard of level of $5.00 per day. Because Ford assumed that many of these laborers had never possessed such plentiful income before, he also established a sociological department at his company to teach employees how to properly handle their finances. To be eligible for the raise in pay, employees had to demonstrate that they did not drink alcohol, did not physically mistreat their family, did not keep boarders in their home, maintained a clean house, demonstrated good moral character, and regularly deposited money into their savings account. Ford told Reverend Samuel Marquis, who would lead the sociological department, “I want you, Mark, to put Jesus Christ into my factory” (Stephen Watts,
The Peoples’ Tycoon,
208). However, by 1920 it became apparent to Ford that his attempt to transform the moral character of his employees had failed.

President Richard Nixon also sought to use his powerful position to influence the moral fiber of the nation. His personal goal for 1971-2 was, “President as moral leader…” (Richard Reeves,
President Nixon,
278). This initiative would self-destruct spectacularly!

Jesus expects His followers to exert a godly influence on those around them. He identified two major ways to impact others (Matthew 5:13-16). One is to act as
light
in the midst of the surrounding darkness. The presence of light is unmistakable. Light draws attention to itself. Darkness cannot remain in light’s presence. Individuals in the workplace who are committed to Jesus Christ should behave in a way that dispels darkness and reflects Christ’s light. John Beckett, as president of R.W. Beckett Corporation, chose to lead his company in an unmistakably Christlike manner. The result led to an interview on ABC’s prime time news broadcast in which Beckett declared on national television, “My main mission in life is to know the will of God and do it” (John D. Beckett,
Loving Monday,
23). Beckett shed the light of Christ on his company before a watching world.

Sometimes, however, business leaders do not have the freedom to openly practice their Christian beliefs. To begin a meeting in prayer or lead a Bible study in the boardroom could draw reprisals or even lead to job loss. However, Jesus also commanded His followers to be
salt
. Salt does not dramatically announce its presence or draw attention to itself. However, over time, proximity to salt can lead to drastic changes! There are times when wisdom will lead us to behave like salt in our workplace. We may pray for colleagues and be Christlike in our conduct but wait for the opportune moment to overtly talk about our relationship with Christ. We can bide our time and be sensitive to how and when to talk about our faith with colleagues. God will give you unique opportunities to glorify Him at work.

Are you exerting a Christlike influence on your workplace? Jesus commanded believers to be both salt and light. Salt enriches and preserves; light illuminates and guides. For some, we have been salt too long and need to boldly shine our light before others. For others, we have let our light shine brightly but the response may have discouraged us. God will give us the wisdom to discern whether to behave like salt or light in any given situation. What does God want you to be today?

REFLECT FOR A MOMENT

1. What are some ways God wants you to be “light” in your workplace? Do you need to expose darkness where you work? Are there moral or ethical issues that need to be spoken against? Do you need to make it clear that your Christian values are clearly different from certain beliefs being expressed at work?
   

2. What are ways you could act as “salt” in your workplace? Do you need to exert a gradual, unobtrusive influence? Are there ways your example or attitude can gradually make a positive difference where you work?
   

3. Light boldly stands out. Salt gradually exerts an influence. Pray for wisdom to know which one God wants you to be in each situation.
   

HIGH PLACES ARE seductive (Genesis 11:4). Before the Israelites entered the land of Canaan, the pagan religions built altars on hilltops to worship idols. These man-made shrines honored such gods as Baal the storm god who allegedly brought rain and wealth, Ashtoreth the fertility goddess, and Molech a detestable god to whom people sacrificed their children. These religions often provided prostitutes as a part of their depraved “worship.” Such hedonistic religion appealed to people’s base senses of greed and sensuality.

No wonder God commanded Joshua to obliterate the Canaanites. Yet despite Joshua’s victories, remnants of the pagan peoples stubbornly remained (Joshua 17:12; Judges 1:27). Pagan worship centers continued to blight the nation’s hilltops. Appealing to people’s carnal nature, the high places were always popular (Judges 2:12-13, 17; 1 Kings 14:22-24).

Tragically, it was Israel’s leaders who allowed the despicable practices to continue. King Solomon actually built high places for gods such as Ashtoreth, Milcom, and Chemosh (1 Kings 11:6-7). King Jeroboam established high places in Bethel and Dan so the northern tribes would not travel to Jerusalem to worship the true God (1 Kings 12:25-33). Every leader in Israel and Judah had to decide what his approach to the high places would be. Some evil kings like Ahaz and Manasseh enthusiastically supported the high places and even made sacrifices to idols (2 Kings 16:4; 2 Kings 21:1-3). Few people matched Elijah’s courage in challenging King Ahab’s false religion on the top of Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18).