- What Is the Quality of Your Work?
If someone were to evaluate you, based on the quality of the last project you completed, what might they conclude? I do not know about you, but for me it is challenging to give my foremost effort on everything that I do. I may feel tired, lacking the energy to do my best. There also are times when I do not feel as motivated as I should, with little or no enthusiasm for the task at hand. Or I might not be convinced of the value of what I have been asked to do. A poster on the wall of my office, however, reminds me of how important it is to perform at my best, no matter what the job may be. The poster reads,
"Quality: Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with Quality."
Whenever I read that statement it does one of two things: It either inspires me, reinforcing my desire to do my utmost at whatever I happen to be working on, or convicts me, reminding me I have become satisfied with doing less than my very best. Do I really want to "autograph" substandard work?
Recently I read an intriguing quotation by Pearl Buck, the acclaimed writer who grew up in China, received the Pulitzer Prize for her novel, The Good Earth, and won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938. The author's statement did not mention "quality," but used a very similar term: excellence. "The secret joy in work is contained in one word - 'excellence.' To know how to do something well is to enjoy it."
There is another reason for doing high-quality work, besides a good reputation and self-satisfaction. Our God is a God of quality, and expects us to maintain the same standard. Consider what the Bible says:
We reflect God's nature. God created an ideal world - with the exact balance of air, water and other elements - that would be suitable to sustain life. Then mankind became His ultimate creation. "So God created man in his own image.... God saw all that he had made, and it was very good" (Genesis 1:27,31).
We work for God's approval. If you were asked to perform a task for the leader of your country, or the person you most admire in the entire world, how would it affect the quality of your work? "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" (Colossians 3:23).
We follow God's instructions. In the Scriptures, God provides a manual for everyday living, including in the workplace. Through proper study and obedience, we can use the Bible as our guideline for living and working as the Creator intended. "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).
We carry out God's purposes. Although it may seem random, God has an overriding reason for where we work, the kind of work we find ourselves suited to perform, and the people we find ourselves working with. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10).
We utilize God's resources. We receive our talents, gifts, abilities, even our interests, according to God's divine plan and will, as He sees fit to distribute them. "...so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:17).
Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. He is the author of Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today's Workplace (River City Press) and has coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring: 10 Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential (NavPress).
Reflection/Discussion Questions
1. How would you define "quality"? And how important is it to you that products you purchase, or work or services provided for you, be of high quality?
2. Be honest: To what degree does a commitment to quality influence the work that you do and how you do it?
3. It is easy to state that we are in favor of performing and providing quality work. But to what extent does your company emphasize work of highest quality - and how is that communicated, positively or negatively?
4. What is your reaction to the Bible passages cited that relate to God's priority on quality? What impact, if any, will these have in how you approach the quality of your work in the future?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to consider some other passages on this topic, turn to the following verses from the Old Testament book of Proverbs:
Proverbs 13:18, 14:4, 16:7, 19:20, 22:4, 22:29, 25:4-5
- God Provides for Whatever He Requires
When God planned for Abraham to be the "father of many nations," the Bible says that He miraculously provided a son for Abraham - Isaac. Then, when God commanded Abraham to offer his only son as a sacrifice, He provided a substitute that He found acceptable in Isaac's place. Abraham called the place of this event as "Jehovah Jireh," which means, "God will provide" (Genesis 22:13-14). The life of Abraham is a striking example of a basic truth that my wife, Susie, and I learned many years ago. It has greatly encouraged us in our daily lives and the choices we make. The truth is this: God can absolutely be trusted to provide all the means necessary for us to obey His commands and carry out His plans. In other words, He knows exactly what resources we need to follow His will, and He always makes them available.
Searching through the Bible for other instances of this aspect of God's generosity is both interesting and also faith-strengthening. Here are a few examples: When God planned for the children of Israel to go into Egypt, He sent Joseph ahead in order to provide for them (Genesis 50:19-21). When God planned for the children of Israel to come out of Egypt, He sent Moses to provide the way. When Moses said he wouldn't know what to say, God provided Aaron to serve as the spokesman (Exodus 3:7-4:17). And when God required that a temple be built in His honor, He provided the means for building it (1 Chronicles 29:14-16).
Susie and I refer to this principle as "whatever God requires, He provides." As I think of what He has done for us through His Son, Jesus Christ, I remember the principle described in Hebrews 1:3: "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." When God's righteousness required purification for our sins, He provided Christ as our Savior.
God continues, to this very day, providing each of us with the very best - Himself. He lives in His people, through His Spirit, strengthening and empowering us to obey His commands. That's why God's requirement that we "be holy as He is holy" is completely reasonable. Consider the following:
- "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3).
- "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).
- "For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose" (Philippians 2:13).
Whether it is the necessary strength and resources to get through each day, the wisdom to make right decisions, or the insight needed when the direction we should follow - at work, in our homes or other areas of our lives - we can turn to God in full confidence. Learn to rely on His strength, being mindful and thankful that whatever God requires, He provides.
"May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen" (Hebrews 13:20-21).
Austin Pryor is the founder of the Sound Mind Investing financial planning newsletter and website. You can read more about Sound Mind Investing and its investment principles at http://www.soundmindinvesting.com/.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
1. In the Bible, one of the names God uses for Himself is "God will provide." On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being low and 10 being high, how easy is it for you to trust in God to provide for your needs - especially challenging ones?
2. Looking at this topic in a slightly different way, how often do you think of God as your provider? Do you even think that it is He that provides for what you need - or do you typically presume it is your responsibility to determine where to find or obtain what you need for a specific situation?
3. Which - if any - of the Bible passages cited seems most meaningful or significant to you?
4. What difference would it make if you were to begin each day, and continue through each day, truly relying on God to provide for what you need, regardless of how complex those needs might be?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to review some other passages that relate to this topic, consider the following verses:
Matthew 6:25-34; Mark 6:30-44; 1 Corinthians 1:8-9; Philippians 4:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:22-24
- There is Power in Empowering Others
My wife, Louise, and I were out of town for a few days. When we returned and I went to work at the coffee shop that I manage, I noticed a bar stool sitting in the back room. It had been placed there because some screws were loose. Since a bar stool sitting idly has little value in a back room, I grabbed a screwdriver, tightened the screws and returned the stool to the counter, making it available again for our customers.
It wasn't until several minutes later that it occurred to me that every one of our 15 employees would have been capable of turning a screwdriver to repair the stool. But rather than waiting for one of them to take the initiative, I had moved into action. When I recounted this incident some days later to other small business owners I was meeting with, they agreed this problem is common among entrepreneurs. We become so accustomed to resolving problems we inadvertent train our people to wait for us to address their problems, no matter how small.
I realized by not allowing, even insisting, that others solve problems when they occur, I create much more work for myself and stunt the growth of the business and our staff. This is probably why most start-up companies require a new person to take charge if the business is to rise to the next level. The founding entrepreneur is just not willing - or even able - to properly delegate responsibility to others.
I would like to think that I have learned my lesson but the truth is, doing things by myself is part of my makeup. "Empowering" others does not come easily for me.
It seems that in business there are two primary types of people: Corporate types who can easily say, "That's not MY job." And the entrepreneurial types like me who think everything is their job. In my own experience, it seems very difficult to find a middle ground.
Yet in the Bible we see that empowering others - delegating authority and responsibility to them - is a recurring theme. For instance, in the Old Testament book of Genesis, God directed Noah to build an ark to become a sanctuary for his family and the animals that would be preserved from the flood (Genesis 6:9-22). Earlier in Genesis, we read about God creating the entire world. In comparison, it would have been simple for God to construct an ark Himself. Instead, He assigned that job to Noah.
In freeing the Israelites from Egyptian tyranny, God directed Moses to be His messenger and lead the people to the Promised Land. Then, after permitting Moses to get a glimpse of the Promised Land from Mount Nebo, God passed the responsibility for leading the Israelites into it to Joshua, Moses' protégé (Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Joshua 1-4).
Perhaps the greatest example of a leader delegating authority is found after the resurrection of Jesus and His appearance to His followers. Just before His ascension, Jesus told them, ""All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations...teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20).
If the all-powerful God finds it fitting to delegate some of His work to others, shouldn't we do the same?
Jim Mathis is Executive Director for CBMC in Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A., where he oversees Homer's Coffee Shop. He and his wife, Louise, formerly were co-owners of a camera and photo processing shop in Overland Park, Kansas.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
1. Which type of business person are you - the "corporate type" that says, "That's not my job," or the entrepreneurial type that is tempted to try and do everyone's job? Explain your answer.
2. Why is it often so difficult to delegate responsibility and authority to others? Can you think of a time when someone seemed reluctant to entrust you with responsibilities that you felt you had earned and deserved? How did that feel?
3. What do you think of the examples cited from the Bible about when God chose to delegate authority and responsibilities to others? How do you think these compare with everyday circumstances that call for us to manage by delegation?
4. If you can think of situations when you have failed to empower others to do work they are very capable of doing, what steps can you take to avoid repeating that mistake?
If you would like to look at or discuss other portions of the Bible that relate to this topic, consider the following brief sampling of passages:
2 Kings 2:1-22; Matthew 10:1-16; Colossians 4:7-9; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5
- Working Toward Truth and Peace
Conflict is uncomfortable for me, but I have learned to respect people who are willing to confront disagreement directly when they believe it will ultimately result in resolution. One of these rare individuals is my good friend, Jim. There are no "elephants" hidden in the corner when Jim is around. You know what they are - huge problems that everyone knows exist, but no one has the courage or determination to deal with. Instead, we ignore them, hoping they will just somehow disappear.
This is not how Jim is. If there is some difficult issue that needs to be addressed in a meeting, he is going to throw it on the table, opening up the matter for discussion sooner rather than later. To some people this approach seems unnecessarily confrontational, but Jim realizes that you cannot move to the next level in a relationship - whether in business, your personal life, a church or some community partnership - unless, and until, you have been willing to address the hard issues appropriately.
At a recent meeting, for example, Jim persistently kept asking the same simple, but piercing, questions over and over again, trying to guide those in attendance toward finding an answer that could ultimately result in moving the discussion forward. There were uncomfortable moments, even times when some of the participants in the meeting had to remember not take comments personally.
However, Jim's conflict resolution style did raise the emotional level and deepened the involvement of each person. This allowed for truth to rise to the surface, enabling it to guide the group toward peace and a reasonable resolution to the issue in question.
I have struggled at times with the contrast between the Jesus we see in the Scriptures who preached, "Blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9) and the same Jesus who, according to the biblical account, not only confronted the money changers, but also drove them out of the temple with a whip (Matthew 21:12).
We see good balance between these two drastically different approaches to handling conflict described in God's long-term plan for peace and prosperity of Zion, as He presented it through the prophet Zechariah.
In Zechariah 8:16-17 we learn, "These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath for all these things I hate; declares the Lord."
If you find yourself in the midst of conflict, or fear that you or your organization are on the verge of a potential harmful clash of ideas, goals and personalities, take a lesson from my friend, Jim. He would encourage you to embrace conflict when necessary, speak truth in love, and make every possible provision for peace.
(Copyright 2008, Integrity Resource Center, Inc.) Adapted with permission from "Integrity Moments with Rick Boxx," a commentary on issues of integrity in the workplace from a Christian perspective. For more information about receiving Integrity Moments in their e-mail box, write to: rboxx@IntegrityMoments.com and type "subscribe" in the subject line or visit his website, http://www.integrityresource.org/.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
1. When you encounter conflict, what is your typical response: Do you confront the issue directly, or do you prefer to avoid or even flee from it, hoping the cause for interpersonal friction will go away? Give an example if you can.
2. What is your reaction to the approach for resolving conflict that Rick Boxx's friend, Jim uses - keeping the issue out in the open and forcing people eventually to deal with it? Explain your answer.
3. Do you agree with the view that before people can proceed to the next, deeper level in a relationship, they must be able to effectively address conflicts that arise? Why or why not?
4. How would you interpret the two different responses that Jesus exhibited toward conflict - one being his statement, "Blessed are the peacemakers," and the other being to rebuke and chase off religious leaders that had turned the Temple into a retail center?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to consider other passages that relate to this topic, look up the following verses:
Romans 14:19; Galatians 5:22; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Hebrews 12:14