CHRISTIANS IN THE WORKPLACE
Daniel 6:1-28
Let us read Daniel 6:1-28 to find out what is expected from God’s people in the workplace. Read the text.
EXPOSITION
God’s people should give their best in the workplace.
Working in a non-Christian environment is not an excuse to mediocrity. No matter what you do, you should distinguish yourself to be a prized employee.
Whether you a nurse, physical therapist, house keeper, kitchen crew, sales, businessman, programmer, manufacturing, government offices, and part timer, you should excel in your work. Excellence is always rewarded with better opportunity. How do God’s people give their best in the workplace?
A. Demonstrate exceptional worker’s qualities (6.1-4)
Daniel had been faithfully serving the Lord in pagan Babylon for nearly seventy years. He was now about eighty-five years old but continues to shine where God had placed him.
Because of his exceptional qualities, the king was considering of putting him in number two position in the kingdom. Out of 123 government officials, he was on the top. His “exceptional qualities,” refers literally to an “exceptional spirit was in him.”
This “exceptional spirit” may refer to his good attitude or abilities, but possibly the king recognized that Daniel was in touch with the gods and thus possessed great wisdom.
“Satrap” is a word that means “protector of the kingdom”; it refers to lower officials. Because of the Persian Empire’s vast size (the largest empire the world had known), it was divided into many smaller territories, ruled by the “satraps.”
The satraps gave an account of their activities to the three administrators in order to ensure that the Persian government “might not suffer loss.” Evidently this means that the administrators watched over the satraps so that all tax moneys were properly collected and so that none of these lesser officials could steal from the king.
Because the king planned to set Daniel over all the satraps and administrators, the jealousy and envy of some of the other officials was aroused. They began to examine Daniel’s government record in order to discover some flaws in his character and professional ability.
Instead of finding some, they discover the real Daniel.
1. Diligent – “no grounds for charges in his conduct of government affairs” (6.4a) He was consistent in his conduct of government affairs.
2. Trustworthy – “no corruption” (6.4b) No abuse of authority and even resources.
3. Responsible – “not negligent” (6.4c) When Daniel was given a job to do, the King knew it would be done thoroughly with excellence and nothing would be left undone.
What do people say about you on the job? By God’s grace let us handle our affairs faithfully.
EPHESIANS 6:5-8. 5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
When we work with the attitude that God is our real employer, we cannot help but be responsible and trustworthy.
B. Demonstrate exceptional spiritual qualities (6.5-13)
1. Consistent dedication to God. (6.10)
Apparently it was the practice of Daniel to pray to pray three times a day and worship God. The windows were opened toward Jerusalem because he probably prayed consistently for Jerusalem which at this time was being rebuilt by some who returns from the exile.
Think of the lame excuses that stop us from a faithful, consistent prayer life. We have to get our work done, we need more sleep, or we are too busy. “If you are too busy to pray, then you are too busy.” I think the greater the responsibility the more time must be spent with God who provides guidance and help.
2. Dependent on God for help. (6.11)
When Daniel was found by his accusers he was asking God for help. He knows that in times like God is always his best source of help. If this is true, how can we neglect the discipline of prayer? Note that Daniel’s religious convictions were not hidden.
God’s people are the best in the workplace when they are able to balance their commitment between his God and work consistently. No amount of success in the workplace can compensate for the neglect of time with our God. God’s direction would keep us from ignoring the priorities in life like family and good health.
God’s people should give their best in the workplace.
Why should God’s people give their best in the workplace?
A. Whether good or bad, you would be persecuted. Be persecuted for good reasons. (6.5-9)
One can almost feel the jealousy that developed among the other two administrators and the 120 satraps when Daniel was elevated to second in charge. Their anger burned, to put it mildly.
Their anger intensified when they realized that they could not see one skeleton in his closet or find one fault in this man to accuse him of in order to have him removed from office. So they began their wicked plot.
They knew Daniel was faithful to his God. The only way they could discredit or destroy him was to force King Darius to issue a decree that would be diametrically opposed to one of the laws of the God of Israel (Daniel 6.5). So these scheming men came before King Darius and began to play on his pride.
Can you imagine being the subject of scrutiny and criticism despite of your exceptional qualities as an employee? Even your own faith is not exempted from the evil scheme of these jealous and envious co-workers. Whether you are good or bad, you would be persecuted. Be persecuted for good reasons.
2 TIMOTHY 3.12-14. 12In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it.
We should expect persecution when we try to live a godly life in Christ Jesus. However we should continue to practice what we have learned from God’s work. If we are going to suffer, let suffer for what is right.
1 PETER 4.14-16. 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
B. Employers would find it difficult to compromise you. (6.14-24)
The king was deceived by Daniel’s accusers when they said that the “administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors has all agreed” to the proposed decree (6.6-7). I firmly believed that if the king had known that Daniel was against then he would have not issued the decree.
I was amazed how the king reacted when he learned that his best official was in trouble.
1. King was greatly distressed, determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him. (6.14)
2. King said to Daniel, “May your God whom you serve continually rescue you.” (6.16) Hoping for the best.
3. King returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without entertainment being brought to him. (6.18)
4. King could not sleep. At the first light of dawn, he got up and hurried to the lion’s den. (6.19)
5. King was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. (6.23)
When you are at your best, you are the most important person to your employer. They would find it difficult to compromise you even because of your religious orientation. In fact, they would even respect your faith.
ILLUSTRATION I have a friend and a discipler, when we were still working together in construction firm; I have seen how he was respected by our boss despite of their different in religious orientation.
One of the corrupt workplaces is the construction business. There is so much corruption and dishonesty just to be able to earn a contract. Therefore give your best in the workplace. If ever the earthly king missed you not our heavenly king.
C. God will always be glorified by our trust and obedience to Him. (6.26-27)
When conflict arises between his work and faith in God, his priority was God. God did not keep Daniel out of the den but He protected him in the den. Why? Because Daniel had faith in the Lord (Daniel 6.23).
PSALM 18.17-24. 17He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. 18They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. 19He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. 20The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. 21For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not done evil by turning from my God. 22All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. 23I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. 24The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.
For me, the real lions were his accusers. When the lions are about to attack, trust the Lord and claim His promises. Once again God was glorified by a pagan ruler.
ILLUSTRATION According to an ancient Greek legend, a certain athlete ran well but placed second in the race. The winner was encompassed with praise, and eventually a statue was erected in his honor. Envy ate away at the man who had placed second. He resented the winner, and he could think of little else. Eventually he decided to destroy the statue of the winner.
Night after night, he went to the statue under cover of darkness, chiseling away at the base to weaken the foundation. But one night as he chiseled in violent anger, he went too far. The heavy marble statue teetered on its base and crashed down on the disgruntled athlete. He died beneath the weight of the marble replica of the man he had grown to hate. His own envy had destroyed him.
D. Greater opportunities await the best workers of the Lord. (6.28)
Daniel continued to prosper in his work and influence. Diligence, trustworthiness, and being responsible always prevail. Trust in the Lord is always honored by God. Sometimes termination from employment because of obedience to God is the Lord’s way of saving us from greater danger and problems.
CONCLUSION
ILLUSTRATION Justin Fox article “Training Managers to Behave” (Time Magazine – May 25, 2009) reported that there is a management school in Glendale, Arizona called Thunderbird School of Global Management, a highly regarded business school housed on a former military base called Thunderbird Field. During their graduation last May, 279 graduates were asked to recite the Thunderbird Oath of Honor as part of the graduation ceremony. Led by its President, it goes this way:
"As a Thunderbird and a global citizen, I promise, I will strive to act with honesty and integrity. I will respect the rights and dignity of all people. I will strive to create sustainable prosperity worldwide. I will oppose all forms of corruption and exploitation. And I will take responsibility for my actions. As I hold true to these principles, it is my hope that I may enjoy an honorable reputation and peace of conscience.
The rational for this is part of a broader rethinking of the balance between doing well and doing good that could reshape the economy and the workplace in coming years. Thunderbird president Angel Cabrera and his colleagues contend that Ivy League Business Schools are ethical wastelands and partly to blame for the Wall Street collapse of the past year.
There was a time, in the first half of the 20th century, when business schools did try to instill values and norms but that effort fizzled by the 1970s, says Rakesh Khurana, a Harvard Business School professor. In hopes of making the concept stick at Thunderbird, he put students in charge of writing the oath and getting faculty and trustee approval.
Applicants to Thunderbird must write an essay discussing the oath, and students say it often comes up in class. A few don’t love it. One student circulated an essay this spring declaring his unwillingness to sign or recite the "insulting," "tacky" oath.
If God’s people would not give their best in the workplace both diligently and morally, who will? Combine your job skills with spiritual values and you will both please God and your employer.
