Christian Finance Blog - Work

What’s Your Price? The 5 Traits To Help You Reach Your True Value at Work

nospam@example.com (The Christian Money Coach) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:09:00 -0500

“He added, ‘Name your wages, and I will pay them.’” Genesis 30:28 (NIV)

Now who would not want to hear these words come out of the mouth of an employer? These words are very rare, indeed. But hearing words like these can only mean that the employee’s true value has been identified and recognized.

Many of us may not feel that we are valued and respected for what we do at work. However, the question that can be bounced back is, Have you given them a reason to value and respect you? Let’s look at five key qualities that will change any boss’ outlook on an employee’s true value.

Equitable

Employers seek individuals who are honest. They want employees who are honest with how they spend their time when they are “on the clock.” They are honest with how they use the company’s resources.

Equitable employees should also be fair and unbiased. They are observant of how they treat their clients, customers, fellow employees. They willingly treat everyone the same, rather than playing favorites toward some of the people with whom they come in contact.

Efficient

Employers also want employees who are ready to go when they come in to work. Efficient employees maximize the use of their time in handling the tasks at hand.

These employees are also competent. They are capable and can be trusted to take care of their responsibilities without needing a supervisor to baby sit them throughout the day.

Enterprising

Employers may have lots of their own ideas about how to operate the company, but they also want enterprising employees. Employees should be daring at times, able to think outside of the box. They should come up with new ideas that may help the company become better at what it does.

Employees should also be resourceful. They are able to maximize the use of the resources that they have. They are not wasteful with supplies. They creatively find new and different ways to do things within the company.

Employees should be energetic and spirited. Rather than becoming robotic toward the assigned responsibilities, employees should find ways to keep the job and workplace fun and lively.

Enthusiastic

Employers want enthusiastic employees. They are devoted to their jobs. They are passionate about what they do, and really want to make a difference.

They are eager to come to work. (Granted, it is not always easy to be excited at work, but praise God that you have a job to go to!) That excitement may rub off on others and make the entire workplace more pleasant.

Essential

Lastly, employers seek individuals who are essential to the company. These employees are necessary to the company’s operation. They are vital to the livelihood and the continued growth and development of the company.

The company truly cannot function at its best without the essential employees. Most companies, whether large or small, need many employees to operate. But, just like a body, each part is absolutely essential to the entire body.

Paul explains this concept in 1 Corinthians 12:12-26. Even in a company with hundreds or thousands of employees, when an essential employee is missing, it is felt by everyone. Have we showed our employers that we are indispensable?

If we want to feel valued and respected at work, we have to make sure that we have given our employers a valid reason. Applying these five characteristics will not only change our bosses’ outlooks on us, but it will also give us a renewed sense of purpose within our workplace.

Looking For Love In All The Wrong Places

nospam@example.com (The Christian Money Coach) — Mon, 31 May 2010 17:20:00 -0500

“Then Leah said, ‘God has presented me with a precious gift. This time my husband will treat me with honor, because I have borne him six sons.’ So she named him Zebulun.” Genesis 30:20 (NIV)

Leah’s life had some challenges. Although she was married, she did not win her husband’s heart. He was in love with her younger sister, Rachel. Their father would not give Jacob Rachel’s hand in marriage until Leah was married. So, Jacob married Leah first, then married Rachel.

It’s not a competition

It appears that Leah always felt a sense of competition between herself and Rachel for Jacob’s heart. But her efforts failed every time. We, too, must be careful about the levels to which we take our competitive natures.

Working hard and seeking an accomplished life is not wrong in itself. But when we take it to unhealthy levels, it can become damaging. Here are a few examples.

1) Work becomes more important than our relationship with God.
2) Work consumes us and deprives our family of the time that they need with us.
3) Our work has worn us down physically.
4) We work hard in an effort to keep up with those around us.
5) Our drive for success and accomplishment leads us to act unethically.

But “this time” will be different…

Leah was hoping that “this time” her husband would treat her differently. She had already borne five sons for Jacob. If things hadn’t changed after the first five sons, what was going to make son #6 any different?

Often times, we operate under the same notions. We think that if we just close one more deal, then we will get the raise or bonus that we had hoped for. If we work just one more hour, then we will get a big jump on the week’s workload. The list is neverending.

Then, when we do get to that next point, we find the accomplishment less than satisfying, and we are looking ahead to the next milestone.

The money is never enough. The goals and successes we reach are never sufficient. We will always, in our natural minds, want more. We will always yearn for bigger and better.

Our drive can turn into an unhealthy greed. Jesus warns us in Luke 12:15, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (NIV)

Whose approval are you seeking?

In our efforts to strive toward various types of successes in life, we should be careful of another motive – seeking the approval of others.

This motive is not always immediately obvious to us, but it can lead to trouble. Paul warns us in Galatians 1:10, “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (NIV)

While God has no problem with us being happy and enjoying our lives here on earth, we must be careful about doing things simply to win the approval of others. The only opinion that matters is God’s opinion. If God approves, then everything else should fall into place.

What is Your Motivation to Work?

nospam@example.com (The Christian Money Coach) — Mon, 03 May 2010 13:10:00 -0500

“Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, ‘I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.’” Genesis 29:18 (NIV)

When I first read this verse, I was impressed with Jacob’s dedication to Rachel. Those are the words of a man in love.

Jacob’s statement led me to think about the reasons we choose to work. For each of us, the answer may be different. Let’s explore some of the most common motivations to work.

Provision

“If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:8 (NIV)

For the great majority of the workforce, work provides the financial resources necessary to provide for ourselves and our families. This includes the basic standards of care, such as housing, clothing, and food. It may provide for a means of transportation.

If the income stretches far enough, we may also be able to provide for some of the family’s wants and desires, such as extracurricular activities, the latest electronic gadgets, or trips and vacations.

Love

Work is also a way to show others love. As discussed previously, we can demonstrate our love for our family by working to provide for them.

We can also show love for others by working in or with companies and organizations that help others. Many companies provide products and services that help better people’s lives. Non-profit organizations support many different causes that are prevalent in our communities.

Whether we work as an employee or a volunteer, our assistance is evidence of our commitment to the people or principles supported by these groups.

Goals

We all have a purpose in life. Some of us know what that purpose is. Others are still searching for it. Nevertheless, when we can incorporate that purpose, or our goals, into our worklife, it can be all the more enjoyable.

God wants us to enjoy our work. Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes 2:24-25, “A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” (NIV)

Money

While money is a common motivation to work, this is a motivation that needs caution. We need to be careful with how we think about money. While money serves a function in our lives, we cannot let it control us. God knew before we were born the kind of hold that money can put on us. He provides us with guidance in His Word.

In Luke 16:13, Jesus tells us, “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” (NIV)

As we consider our own work, as well as the people and the principles that are most important to us, let’s evaluate our own level of dedication. Do we display the same passion and enthusiasm for work that Jacob expressed in his quest for Rachel? Can we do more?

Don’t Take Advantage of Family

nospam@example.com (The Christian Money Coach) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:47:00 -0500

“Laban said to him, ‘Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.’” Genesis 29:15 (NIV)

I’ve always been warned to be careful about doing business with family. Granted, working together can usually enhance opportunities so that everyone can benefit. It’s not that we don’t want to see family members do well, but when disagreements arise, they are usually harder to work out.

When there is a dispute among family, other family members get involved. People take sides and the feud tends to rise to unnecessary levels. Family gatherings can even get uncomfortable.

In an ideal situation where family members are working together, each family member would treat the other with the same respect that they would give to a non-related business associate.

In various business relationships, we should make sure that both sides are being fairly treated.

As a business owner or manager

In this verse, Laban shows us a great example of that. He knows that it is unfair to expect a family member to work for another family member for free. He asks his nephew, Jacob, to determine an acceptable pay wage.

As owners or managers, we should fairly compensate our helpers for the work they provide. Underpaying them is not fair to the worker. They should not be “punished” for being related. Malachi 3:5 tells us that we will be judged. The Lord will testify against “…those who defraud laborers of their wages…” (NIV)

Jesus said in Luke 10:7, “…for the worker deserves his wages…” (NIV) James also warns the rich oppressors to be careful about hoarding their wealth. In James 5:4, James tells employers that the Lord will hear the cries of the workmen that were not paid. As a result of their selfishness, misery will come upon them.

Similarly, overpaying a family member can be considered preferential treatment. That is not fair to the non-related employees who work just as hard yet get paid less.

As an employee

When we work for family, we have to be careful not to take the position for granted. While an employee should be paid a fair wage, Luke 10:7 does say that the worker deserves his wages. Therefore, as an employee, we should make sure that we are pulling our weight and earning our pay.

We should not use our blood ties to think it is acceptable to break the rules without consequences. We should never put our employer in an uncomfortable situation that forces them to have to consider letting us go.

As a business partner

The concept of being equally yoked stretches beyond marriage. It also applies to business relationships. We have to use caution when forming any type of partnership.

Being family does not automatically mean that each party feels or thinks the same. Everyone has their own priorities and their own agendas. It is important to talk things out thoroughly before getting started.

All goals and objectives should be identified and set in writing. In the early stages of the business development, the partners should outline the method they will use to work out a disagreement, if one were to arise.

As Christians, we should all seek to love one another as we love ourselves. Let’s remember that our family members also deserve to be treated with respect, no matter which side of the business relationship they choose to be on.

Keeping Our Eyes Open for Deception: 3 Signs of a Bad Deal

nospam@example.com (The Christian Money Coach) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:59:00 -0500

“But he said, ‘Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.’ Esau said, ‘Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright, and now he’s taken my blessing!’ Then he asked, ‘Haven’t you reserved any blessing for me?’” Genesis 27:35-36 (NIV)

In reading this verse, I am reminded of the saying, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” We see that Esau has been caught off guard twice by his twin brother, Jacob. Deception is clearly not a new concept.

In today’s society, deception continues to run rampant. If we are not careful, we can be misled by the very people we are trusting for advice. Let’s consider three signs that a venture we are considering may be a bad deal.

There is high profit potential

While there are many business deals that have the potential to be highly profitable, we must carefully evaluate that potential relative to the specific industry.

For example, let’s look at real estate. If an opportunity comes up and the purchase price of a home is said to be listed at half of the actual market value, we should do some additional research. We might ask the following questions: What is the condition of the property? How is the neighborhood? How was the actual market value calculated?

This list of questions is nowhere near exhaustive, but the point is that this may not really be an opportunity to double our money. It might take several thousands of dollars to get the property ready to resell. The neighborhood may have some challenges that have driven the resale value down. The actual market value may be based on inaccurate information.

If someone gives us a tip that investing in a business venture will provide us a 25% return on our investment in 6 months, we have to ask questions. These numbers are unusual – not normal. We have to dig deeper to make sure that the investment is sound.

Solomon shares with us in Proverbs 14:15, “A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.” (NIV)

We haven’t considered the risks

There is risk in everything we do. We just have to decide if the potential return is worth the risk we need to take. If our solicitor has not outlined all of the possible risks, we should determine them for ourselves. In the real estate example, we run the risk that homes may not be selling quickly in the area. There is a cost to holding on to a property while waiting to rent or sell it. There is a risk that there are unknown repairs that need to be corrected before renting or selling. Lack of disclosure does not mean that it doesn’t exist.

In the business venture example, there is a risk that the actual profits are less than 25%. There is also a risk that the principal may never be returned. Is the business operating both legally and ethically? Is there any additional liability when participating as a financial contributor? These situations should all be considered before determining whether to become involved.

We have to decide quickly

Salespersons thrive off of the pressure they throw our direction. By creating a sense of urgency, they can often get us to make a decision that we may later come to regret.

We can all think back to at least one time where we made a decision in haste, only to later realize that it was not the best option.

Anything that is meant to be will happen. If it’s in God’s plan, it will come back around. We should never feel pressured to act so fast that we are not careful. Proverbs 28:20 tells us, “A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.” (NIV)

We have to trust God to provide for our needs. We cannot get so eager to get rich that we act irrationally. It will come back to bite us.

As new opportunities present themselves, let’s carefully evaluate them to consider the true profit potential and the risks involved. Let’s not feel pressured to respond on someone else’s time schedule, and seek God’s assistance as we prayerfully consider how to proceed.