Courageous Living: Integrity in the Workplace

Series: Courageous Living
Integrity in the Workplace - by John Burke, September 2, 2007

In this message for Labor Day weekend, John talked about integrity in our work lives. But work is a major part of our lives all the time. John asked some soul-searching questions about the way we approach our work and how we treat others when we are there. If you are answering these in a group – you can relax… we won’t ask you to clean out your mental work closet in public (unless you choose to), but I do hope you will very seriously consider some of the questions at the end on your own – and we’ll leave a little time at the end for you to start that process today.

During his message, John laid out a few major “messages” (beliefs) we often hear at work, but that are off-base in terms of God’s work rules:

• “It’s not personal… it’s just business”
• “What’s in it for me?”
• “Did you hear…. (about some co-worker)?”
• “The check’s in the mail”

John used Enron as the example of some REALLY terrible work values. Let’s see what you think about some different business situations. Go through each of the short business scenarios below and for each, talk about four things:

1. What sort of “beliefs” are guiding the person making the choices? (any of the ones from John’s message... or others?) Are these types of beliefs common?
2. Who gets hurt here?
3. Would anything be different if the person making a choicethought of God as their ultimate boss? How?
4. What sort of courage/beliefs would be necessary to make a “God approved” choice?

Take about 10 minutes for each problem. If time permits, see whether anyone in the group can describe their own work situation where a courageous decision was/is needed?

A. Two co-workers had been talking over some changes in operations that would improve customer service. While one is on vacation, the other gets into a conversation with the boss and mentions some of their ideas. He/she just neglects to mention the “missing” person’s involvement in the plan. The boss gives the go-ahead for the changes… and they are all done by the time the other worker returns.

B. Imagine someone in a sales position. One of his/her long-term customers - a small business owner - has been struggling because of some family health issues that have reduced their work-time. The business owner had placed a large order with the salesperson but asks them to postpone delivery for a quarter to help them out with their cash-flow. Problem is, this will keep the salesperson from making a bonus. The business owner is held to the contract.

C. A product-design engineer has seen the test results. The new product version is a lot better than the previous product in some respects, but is not going to meet all the product requirements listed in the company’s brochure or the quality that customers will assume the product has, based on the previous version of the product. No one will get killed over this – the product will just wear out a little sooner than customers expect. No mention is made of the new test results.

D. In a certain company, a lot of sales are made in “teams” – with different marketing and technical people involved. After each major sale, the team supervisor asks each team member to evaluate each other’s contribution, and then the sales commission for each person is adjusted based on the results. A good way for someone to increase their own commission is to downgrade the other team members’ contributions.

End up the discussion today with 3 – 5 minutes of personal reflection. First, ask yourself whether any of the common, but harmful beliefs about work are common for YOU? Next, ask whether there you feel God prompting you to think about any work situations in particular in a new way. If so, write down what you want to remember to help you make courageous choice and then take a minute or two (now or later) to try to find a bible verse that will help you reinforce that belief. Write down the verse, put it somewhere where you can see/find it – and the ask God to remind you to use it when you need it.

Bible verses from the message:

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if people claim to have faith but have no deeds? Can such faith save them…Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder…As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
James 2:14, 18-19, 26

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere…God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.
James 3:13-17, 4:6

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another.
James 4:11

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?
James 2:1

The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
James 5:4-5

Brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple "Yes" or "No."
James 5:12

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Romans 13:1-2

Related Next-Step Resources:

• Take a look at lots of different ways to get involved at Gateway along with a test gauge your talents and spiritual gifts at Gateway activities at the One Body Gateway website.
• Check out spiritual growth resources at Gateway's Way of Christ Next-Steps Website)
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