Colossians 3:22-4:1
Disciples in the Workplace
A disciple can never clock out of Kingdom work. Even in the workplace, Christian bosses and workers must display a different level of intentionality and productivity for the sake of discipleship.
Instructions for Employees (Col. 3:22)
- Since you claim to follow a faithful Savior, be a faithful worker.
Four Types of Employees:
- Justified Rebel – Don’t use your faith as an excuse for a bad work ethic.
- Occasional Hard-Worker – Even when your work is unnoticed by your earthly boss, your effort is noticed by your Heavenly Master.
- Insincere Brown-Noser – Don’t let your work be motivated by the approval of men but by the approval of God.
- Sincere Workers – Don’t work hard so that you will appear right but because it is right.
Instructions for Employment (Col. 3:23-25)
- Your work can become worship if you display obedient actions and sincere attitudes in the workplace.
- A Christian worker should be known as the most fervent and faithful employee on the job.
- Every job opportunity is a mission field and every Christian employee is a missionary.
- Be intentionally productive in your job for the glory of God and for the good of others.
- Every injustice you experience in your earthly vocation will be made right in your heavenly retirement.
- It is better to endure conflict due to your boss’ sin rather than endure consequences for your own sin.
Instructions for Employers (Col. 4:1)
- Just because you are over someone does not mean that you are better than someone.
- Bosses must lead justly and fairly with their employees because God leads his people in that way.
- Bad employers seek to use employees to improve the lives of themselves; good employers seek to use themselves to improve the lives of their employees.
Next Steps
- What can I improve in my job for the glory of God?
- Who has God positioned me beside at work for a missional purpose?
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.