Acknowledging Christ at Work
 by Patty Benton
www.actatwork.com

Every day in the United States, we continue to take steps to further separate Christ from our daily lives. Yet in looking at the statistics, the majority of the citizens in the United States are Christians. Why then, are the words of the minority listened to and made laws, as if they were the word of the majority? What effect do these cries of the minority have to do with Christians in the business world? What can we, as Christians in the business world, do to counteract this tide of separation?

If we advertise as Christian businesses and express our faith openly in our business communication, we come under fire. Why would anyone want to advertise this way, with the potential to endure persecution as is foretold in the Bible?1 Why, because we are instructed by the Lord, “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”2 For “if anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”3 Are you ready to make the choice to be public about your faith, knowing that eventually you could befall criticism and anger from the secular world?

We must recognize that it is God building our businesses or our careers. Because of Him, because everything exists through His mercy and His graces, you have a career to be proud of, a family to love and a home with food on the table.4

How, as Christian business owners or Christians in the workforce, do we stand proud and tall under the criticism? Faith! The Bible tells us “do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.”5

Recently, in one of my networking groups, while discussing something not at all related to faith or religion, I was put on the battlefield for Christ with this direct quote, ”Why would the fact that they are a ‘Christian’ company have anything to do with the quality of their secretarial or virtual assistant work? Or, for that matter, make them better ‘coaches’?” How many times have you heard comments similar to this in your business or at work? I personally do not proclaim that my skills are better than the next person’s in my professional field. What I do proclaim is that every part of my business is built on God. When I have a satisfied client, God gets the glory, not me, because I am just doing as He instructed in the Bible.3 Is it a person’s choice to decide if they want to work with a Christian company? Absolutely! Every individual has a choice, but that does not mean Christian business owners have to hide Who they place their faith in or attribute their successes to.

Have you heard the following, “Religion is a personal thing, it does not belong in government or in business?” Look at the history of our country and you will see that our country was built on the belief of God and religious freedom. Look at our Pledge of Allegiance, “…one nation, under God...” Yet our children are not allowed to pray in school, and we are told to be quiet when we proclaim God’s blessings for our businesses. Why is this? It is because the majority of Christians have not walked as God has told us to, and now we have let the secular world take charge! Is God a part of business and government? Absolutely! Look at our history starting with the Bible and working up to and past the foundation of our great country!

So what can you take away from this? Put your foot down and stop letting the secular businesses tell us that we need to leave our Christian lives in our personal lives, and not bring it into our businesses. Stand proud as a Christian. Don’t just save it for Sunday. Be a bright, blinding light for Him every day of the week. Put on your armor. Satan will be frightened, and for this reason, he will retaliate against you. Remember, it is not you fighting this battle, but God.5 The Bible tells us that it is not easy but “we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”6 Are you prepared to fight? Or will you continue to hide?

I encourage every Christian business owner to stand up and proudly proclaim the glory and success of your business as His, Almighty God’s!

Patty Benton is a teacher who has taken her teaching abilities and created a coaching practice like no other. She began as a Virtual Assistant, building an amazingly diverse and professional team (www.professionaladminteam.com) providing support to Coaches  who are looking to take their business to the next level through teleseminars, providing web and graphic design, as well as newsletter services (JERPAT, LLC).  She became passionate about helping other women who desire to work from home, achieve their dreams.  She partnered with Dolly Norris Hooker to bring a complete coaching program, The Missing Piece, LLC, that is designed to reach virtually every woman where she is at, and help to find her missing piece(s) to a fulfilling life (www.everywomansnorthstar.com). You can learn more by going to her blog at www.fromawomansheart.com.

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Verse references used in this article:

  1. Hebrew 10: 32-34

  2. Colossians 3:17

  3. 1 Peter 4:11

  4. Hebrews 2:10

  5. II Chronicles 20:15

  6. Acts 14:22

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