iWork4Him PowerThought

The International Encyclopedia of Human Geography defines Worldview as, "a set of beliefs or a mental model of reality that influences the way people perceive, think, know, and act in the world." When was the last time that you really considered how you view the world? What are the things that influence how you think and act in the workplace on a daily basis? This week, we want to invite you to recalibrate your heart and mind to a biblical worldview. The Apostle Paul says in Romans 12:2, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." Before your feet hit the floor in the morning, pray that the Holy Spirit would give you his eyes, heart, and mind for those you work with, and see how He changes your perspective!

Have you ever left a conversation where you felt like the other person really understood you and cared about your life? If you have, chances are good that the reason you felt this way was because they genuinely listened to you. The truth is, it's impossible to get to know someone when we do all the talking. Instead, we have to ask questions, pause, and listen to the answer without interrupting or turning the conversation back to us and our interests. James 1:19 says, "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." How well do you listen to the people you work with? How about the customer or client that has a lot of complaints? Or the coworker who does things differently than you? I want to challenge you to speak less and listen more today.

Most companies are run with one thing in mind: the bottom line. According to the world, the most important measurement of a truly successful business is profit. But what if money and profit margin aren't how God defines success? Almost every Kingdom-minded company that we've interviewed over the last nine years has said that, in the end, successful and healthy business is all about people over profit. This may be contrary to what we are normally taught… but isn't that so like Jesus?! In the upside-down Kingdom of God, service and souls are the real measure of success. Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." So, stop worrying solely about the bottom line and instead concern yourself with the eternal souls that walk through your door today!

We spend more than one-third of our life at work. Yet sadly, Barna research shows nearly two-thirds of churched adults say it has been at least three years or more since they heard church teachings on work and career, and yet, the workplace is where most Americans spend the biggest share of their waking hours. What can YOU do, to introduce your church to the importance of faith and work? Invite your pastor to your office, and ask him or her to pray for your team, your clients and your year for maximum impact for the Kingdom. What day this month will YOU invite YOUR pastor to work? For more recommended resources and ideas, go to our Resources page on iwork4him.com.

Relationship. Relational. Is there any better word to describe Christianity that sets our "religion" apart from all others? Our faith is based solely on relationship. And is there any better model for us to follow? In our life, in our work? And the basis of this relationship model is LOVE. 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing. Are you a NOISY GONG in YOUR workplace? We invite you to SHIFT to LOVE in your workplace today.

Money. We all need it to live. Is your view of money healthy and in alignment with biblical principles? Is the WAY you use it serving man, or God and His Kingdom. 1 John 3:17 says If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God's love be in that person? How about your income? How about your company's revenue? Are you tithing from your corporate revenue stream? Have you ever considered it? We challenge you today, to pray about your personal and corporate tithing. And ask God HOW YOU should be using the income He's blessed YOU WITH to serve your fellow man, God and His Kingdom.

There is a word that defines the bible, defines Christ, and defines leadership. That word is LOVE. But isn't love seemingly contrary to business and how it operates? Or IS IT? Did you ever have a bad boss? What quality of work did you do for them? Did you ever have a great boss? One that got the absolute best work from you? What was the difference in those two bosses? I'll bet it was LOVE. Love that respects, listens, appreciates and builds up. 1 John 3:11 This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Said another way, control disconnects. Love connects. This connection (which is actually LOVE) translates to the bottom line. We invite you to pick ONE DAY AT WORK THIS WEEK, and TRY IT.

"Why is it important for all Christians in every area of culture to rise up in their calling? Because biblical truth is the highest love for human beings." That's a quote from Kelly Monroe Kullberg, Founder of the Harvard Veritas Forum. So, we're wondering…Are you living YOUR calling where you're working? On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate YOUR WORK in terms of "a calling"? Are you enabling others in YOUR place of work, to RISE UP in THEIR calling? There's nothing so miserable than when we feel trapped in our job, due to perceived circumstances. Or a job that doesn't utilize our God-given gifts and talents. If you scored less than a 7, we invite you to go do some work on "what your calling is". And start working it!

There is a truth about work that has been lost to much of our culture since the creation of the world. It is that GOD CREATED WORK. He created work for us, to do together and for HIS glory. Genesis 2: 19 So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. Work is NOT a PUNISHMENT, it's a GIFT. And God wants to JOIN US in it. Every day. He DELIGHTS in it. He is our team-mate, just as He was with Adam. He brought the animals TO Adam to name. So how about YOU? Won't you invite God to work WITH YOU today? WHEREVER He has place you?

Do you want to see your workplace as a place to live out your faith? Your work is a place where you finally get that chance to be involved in fulltime ministry. Then do these things. 1st Start praying for those you work around, by name every day. 2nd look for ways to serve those same people over and above what your job requires you to do. 3rd look for ways to build a friendship with those you work with, outside of work, where real relationships can develop. 4th Look for ways to pray with people when you see them having a rough day. And 5th, all along be a person of excellence, in your work. Do these things and you will see your workplace transformed by God right before your eyes. We call this the iWork4Him Nation Covenant.