“You know that I’ve worked for your father with all my strength, yet your father has cheated me by changing my wages ten times.  However, God has not allowed him to harm me.  If he said, ‘The speckled ones will be your wages,’ then all the flocks gave birth to speckled young; and if he said, ‘The streaked ones will be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore streaked young.  So God has taken away your father’s livestock and given them to me.”     Genesis 31:6-9 (NIV)

     When the Lord told Jacob to leave Laban and go back home, He explained the situation to his wives, Rachel and Leah.  Laban was their father, so this was not just a work-related dispute; it was also a family dispute.

     We can see in the text that Jacob “kept his cool” throughout the years of Laban’s unfair treatment.  Rather than try to tackle this problem himself, he allowed God to fight the battle on his behalf.  Psalm 140:12 reminds us, “I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.” (NIV)  Let’s see how God deals with cheaters.

Success won’t last

     Laban probably felt pretty good about himself.  First, he was able to get 14 years of work out of Jacob in exchange for both of his daughters.  To Laban, that was a 100% increase over the original negotiation of seven years.  Overall, it was not a bad return.

     Then, he attempted to pull off another great negotiation in exchange for Jacob continuing to tend the flock.  He thought that the idea of separating the flock by color would work out in his favor.  After all, who would expect white sheep and goats to produce colored offspring?

     For six years, the white flocks repeatedly produced colored offspring.  Seeing something like that would lead us to proclaim, “But God!”  Only God could turn a seemingly impossible situation into a possible one.  Laban may have thought he would be able to get away with his plot, but God had another plan.

     Our ways of cheating may not be as extreme as Laban’s, but we can all think of a time where we took advantage of someone’s kindness or weakness in order to get ahead.  It may have worked temporarily, but it did not go unnoticed.  “He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success.” (Job 5:12 NIV)

Eternity is forever

     The worst part is that the suffering is not a temporary thing.  If we do not change our sinful ways, the agony will last for eternity.  Psalm 37:38 reads, “But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.” (NIV)

     God confirms this is Isaiah 57:21, “‘There is no peace,’ says my God, ‘for the wicked.’” (NIV)  Is there really any temporal pleasure that is worth an eternity of torment away from God?

It doesn’t have to be that way

     God is not out to punish us, but He will correct us if we stray from His path.  Obedience will keep us from unnecessary heartache and pain.  Encouragement is found in Ezekiel 33:14-15.  “And if I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but he then turns away from his sin and does what is just and right – if he gives back what he took in pledge fro a loan, returns what he has stolen, follows the decrees that give life, and does no evil, he will surely live; he will not die.” (NIV)

     Being fair and considerate of others is essential to the Christian body as a whole.  Micah tells us what to do.  “He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the LORD require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8 NIV)

     The best part is that there is still time to turn things around.  We are not promised tomorrow, so let’s begin working toward fairness today.

“Jacob heard that Laban’s sons were saying, ‘Jacob has taken everything our father owned and has gained all this wealth from what belonged to our father.’”     Genesis 31:1 (NIV)

     When things are going right in our lives, especially financially, people will notice.  Some will even have a problem with it.  They will wonder why things are working for us and not for them.  They will make attempts to find something wrong with our success, hoping to slow it down or stop it completely.  Here are some tips to remember when dealing with the “haters” in our lives.

Don’t give them a reason

     There is always someone watching.  What they see and what they interpret it to mean can be completely wrong.  But if everything we do is honest and true, there is nothing to worry about.  It cannot come back to harm us.  The words may hurt for awhile, but we will prevail in the end.  Proverbs 10:9 says, “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.” (NIV)

Don’t boast

     Jacob was a hard worker and made Laban very successful.  When given his turn, his efforts proved profitable for him as well.  But Jacob was careful not to flaunt his success or wealth because he knew that the source of his strength was God.  Jeremiah 9:23-24 tells us, “This is what the LORD says, ‘Let not … the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me…” (NIV)

Stay focused on the bigger picture

     Haters often come in to distract us.  If we are not careful, hearing their envy and jealousy can cause us to lose our focus.  Our lack of concentration may lead us to make poor decisions that reduce our productivity and success.

     Remember, the enemy does not want us to be successful.  He knows that God wants to do great works through us.  Our efforts can impact large numbers of people, and it can have a domino effect that continues to touch people for generations to come.

     Let’s imagine how our circulatory system works.  The heart pumps blood throughout the body through arteries.  Those arteries travel throughout the body to ensure that blood reaches every area of our body.

     Now, imagine if there is a blockage stopping the bloodflow in one of the main arteries.  Every minor artery connected to that main artery will no longer receive blood.  Every part of the body connected to those minor arteries will no longer be able to function without that source of nourishment.

     So, if we lose focus, the enemy has successfully closed off that main artery (us) and impacted the rest of the body that was dependent on it.  We cannot give him that kind of power.

Remember the responsibility

     As a main artery, we have to remember that we are responsible for others.  God has given to us so that we can give to others.  John reminded us in 1 John 3:17-18, “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (NIV)  Can God count on us to be a flowing artery for Him?

“In this way the man grew exceedingly prosperous and came to own large flocks, and maidservants and menservants, and camels and donkeys.”     Genesis 30:43 (NIV)

     Once Laban and Jacob settled on Jacob’s payment, Laban separated their flocks by a three days’ journey.  The speckled, spotted, and dark-colored animals were Jacob’s payment.  They were sent off with Laban’s sons.  Jacob continued to tend to Laban’s flock, which was all of the white-colored animals.

     The animals’ coloring made it easy to determine whose animals were whose.  Laban was probably really pleased with himself for getting Jacob to agree to such a deal.  Since Jacob was still tending his flock, what were the chances of him having to pay Jacob anything else?

     If Jacob’s payment would only come in the form of speckled, spotted, and dark-colored offspring, how likely would it be that Laban’s white-colored animals would produce such offspring?

     As we can see in Genesis 30:37-42, Laban’s flock produced quite a few speckled, spotted, and dark-colored offspring.  Verse 43 confirms that even under seemingly impossible circumstances, Jacob was able to prosper in a big way.  How did this happen?  Let’s look at three key factors that impacted Jacob’s prosperity.

Jacob was a diligent, hard worker

     Jacob originally came to Laban to work in exchange for Rachel’s hand in marriage.  He agreed to work for seven years.  But Laban deceived him.  He ended up marrying Leah, and had to work an additional seven years for Rachel.

     Over the course of those 14 years, we can see how well Laban fared with Jacob working for him.  Laban recognized it in Genesis 30:27.  Jacob mentioned it in Genesis 30:30.  It wasn’t until the end of those 14 years that there was even a discussion about payment for services rendered.

     How often do we get upset when our bosses don’t immediately recognize our efforts for the company by giving us raises and bonuses?  Are we quick to want to stop working, or to not work as hard, because we don’t feel appreciated?

     Despite the lack of payment or acknowledgement, Jacob pressed on and gave Laban his best work.  Colossians 3:23 is an often-quoted Scripture, so consider King Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…” (NIV)

Jacob listened to God

     Jacob’s success also came through his obedience.  He was attentive to God’s voice and direction in dealing with his challenges with Laban.

     We find out later in Genesis 31:10-13 that God spoke to Jacob in a dream.  God assured Jacob that He was aware of Laban’s misdeeds and gave him the strategy that led to his prosperity.

     While Laban may have felt that he was winning, it was only for a season.  As Solomon also shared in Ecclesiastes 12:14, “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (NIV)

     Have we quieted our bitter minds long enough to listen for direction from God?  He may be ready to bring us out of our situation, if we only take the time to hear Him.

Jacob was patient

     Patience is important enough to reiterate.  We already saw that Jacob spent 14 years with Laban.  After that, he worked for Laban for an additional six years.  So, Jacob’s struggle at work lasted 20 long, long years.  How many of us could have made it that long?

     As with anything, we have to remember that results are not always in our time, but in God’s time.  Our attempts to rush things may backfire and slow things down.  In fact, it may set us back farther than where we originally started.  Why take that chance?

     Let’s pray for the strength to endure our struggles for as long as God needs us to hold on.  Pray that we remain diligent, even when we feel weak.  Lastly, pray for that inner peace and quiet that will allow us to hear God’s voice so that we can move in the direction He leads us to go.  Galatians 6:9 is an excellent summary.  “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (NIV)

“Let me go through all your flocks today and remove from them every speckled or spotted sheep, every dark-colored lamb and every spotted or speckled goat.  They will be my wages.  And my honesty will testify for me in the future, whenever you check on the wages you have paid me.  Any goat in my possession that is not speckled or spotted, or any lamb that is not dark-colored, will be considered stolen.”     Genesis 30:32-33 (NIV)

     Now that Laban and Jacob were parting ways, it was time for Laban to pay out Jacob for his years of work.  Jacob proposed that Laban give him the spotted, specked, and dark-colored animals of the flock as payment.  He suggested that any animal found in his possession that was not spotted, specked, or dark-colored could be considered stolen.

     The key phrase we should focus on in Jacob’s proposal is “…my honesty will testify for me…”  Can we say the same?  Is our honesty a testimony?  Let’s consider some ways that we can make our honesty a testimony to God.

Our time spent at work

     Have we been honest with our work time?  If we work an 8-hour day, do we honestly spend eight hours working?  Studies have shown that most employees are actually only productive for 2-3 hours of each work day.  What is happening to the rest of the time?

     Are we spending too much time checking our personal e-mail accounts?  Are we surfing the internet for personal reasons?

     Are we taking too many personal calls or spending too much time on our cell phones – whether that means talking or texting?

     There is nothing wrong with taking breaks in between tasks.  Our brains do need time to refresh so that we can stay focused when we are working.  But there is a point where we start to take advantage of the situation.  Even if no one points it out to us, we know in our hearts where that line is.

Our access to supplies at work

     Our employers want us to be able to perform our tasks with ease.  They try to make sure that we have access to all of the supplies necessary to handle our responsibilities.

     However, the temptation to use the supplies for personal needs can be great.  How often do we try to justify taking home that pen or the pad of post-it notes?  Who hasn’t made personal photo copies or printed out personal paperwork from the computer and printer at work?  It didn’t cost that much, right?  But that little cost will add up pretty quickly if every employee thinks and responds that way.  What effect does that have on the company’s bottom line?

Transactions in various stores

     Honesty is not only an issue at work.  We can also consider our honesty when we are out shopping.  For example, what should we do if a cashier happens to ring up our items incorrectly or give us back too much change?  Do we tell ourselves that it’s not our fault and try to talk ourselves into believing that it’s a blessing?

     On the contrary, it’s possible that God was giving us a chance to be His witness for that cashier.  That cashier may not know God, and that was our opportunity to show the cashier the love of our God.

     To take it a step further, how would we feel if we later found out that the cashier was fired for repeatedly being short on the cash register?  Our silence may have not only cost one person their job, but it may have also devastated a household.  The cashier may be a single parent, the sole provider for the household, or supporting an ill or elderly family member.

     It’s funny (but sad) that we will be quick to point out an error when it is not in our favor, yet we are quiet when it looks to benefit us.  But, as we can see, our little actions can have big impacts.  Let’s pray for a shift in our thinking so that we can use those moments of honesty as a testimony to the world about the God we serve.

“Jacob said to him, ‘You know how your livestock fared under my care.  The little you had before I came has increased greatly, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I have been.  But now, when may I do something for my own household?’”     Genesis 30:29-30 (NIV)

     Jacob spent years working for Laban, and he was ready to move on.  But he didn’t want to leave on bad terms, so he approached Laban to discuss the transition.

     In that discussion, Jacob pointed out the impact his work had on Laban.  His time of employment was extremely productive, and Laban benefited from it.

     This can lead us to consider whether we are having a similar impact on our own bosses.  Let’s ask ourselves three questions.

Are we being good stewards?

     Laban’s livestock fared well under Jacob’s care.  Even though they didn’t belong to him, Jacob was a good steward over the livestock to which he was entrusted.  A steward is someone who manages the property of another person.

     When Laban left Jacob in charge of the livestock, he knew that he had nothing to worry about.  He knew that Jacob would care for them as if they were his own.

     Can our bosses say the same thing about us?  When we are left alone to work with a client or customer, do we give them the same respect that they would receive if they were working directly with the boss?

Are we being productive?

     Productivity goes right along with stewardship.  Stewards are also good managers of their time.  When we are given assignments or tasks, do we complete them in a timely fashion?

    Are we being efficient when we are on the company clock so that we can make the most of our time at work?  Procrastination takes away from the company’s potential earnings, and that is not good stewardship.

     The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30 illustrated the concept of productivity well.  To summarize, a man was leaving town and entrusted his property to three of his servants.  They each were given different amounts, according to their abilities.  Two of the servants went to work and increased what they were given.  The third servant hid his talent until his master returned.

     The first two servants were commended and rewarded for their efforts.  The last servant was called wicked, lazy, and worthless.  His talent was taken from him, and he was thrown out.

     It is important to recognize in the parable that each servant was given according to their abilities.  Our bosses have a pretty good idea about what we are capable of.  That’s why we were hired in the first place.

     When we do what we’ve been hired to do, the company will benefit.  Then, we, in turn, are rewarded for our efforts.  If we are not productive, we are just as bad as the third servant in the parable – wicked, lazy, and worthless.  He was thrown out, and we may also be fired for our own lack of productivity.

Are we representing God well?

     Jacob commented to Laban that the Lord had blessed Laban wherever Jacob had been.  Jacob didn’t take the credit for his work.  He gave the glory to God and reminded Laban to do that as well.  Laban acknowledged the Lord in Genesis 30:27.  “But Laban said to him, ‘… I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you.’” (NIV)

     Do we get disappointed when our bosses don’t acknowledge our efforts?  Are we upset when we don’t get the glory?  The glory is not ours to receive.  We should be representing God in all that we do.

     We should aim to seek the limelight less and to put God in the spotlight more.  Not only will it help us take the focus off of ourselves, but it may also help someone at work develop or renew their own relationship with God.