This article is based on a Video Series with J.D. Greear and Henry Kaestner in partnership with RightNow Media and Faith&Co.

— by J.D. Greear (via Amanda Lawson)

Shortly before Jesus went to the cross, He told the disciples—his closest friends—that the world would know they were His disciples by the way they loved one another (John 13:35). It’s interesting that He did just say the world would know their discipleship status if they loved; He told them that the manner in which they loved each other was the key. The same is true of our work. We do the work we are called to do, but more important than simply doing the job is how we do it. JD Greear explained that we have a call to excellence, for the sake of honoring the Lord, not simply getting the job done.

The Christian philosopher Francis Schaefer once said that our opportunity to be heard by the lost world would be directly related to how well we do our work. You know, many people don't think about the connection between excellent work and our witness. But I can guarantee you that non Christians see it. The apostle Peter said in his letter first, Peter, that we ought to live our lives in such a way that people ask about our motivations. What is it that drives us to such excellence in our work? Such high standards in our in our ethical dealings, even if nobody else is watching? Listen, if your witness was the only reason to pursue your business with excellence, it would be worth it. But here's the thing. External witness is not the only reason. There's an even greater reason to pursue excellence in our work. In Colossians 3:23-24, the apostle Paul writes, You know, whatever you do, you should do it from the heart. Something done for the Lord and not just for people knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord himself. Because you don't just serve your boss. You don't serve your customers. You serve the Lord Christ. If our work is done for the Lord, then it should be done according to the high standards of excellence. Right. In our work by itself, Paul says, is an offering to God, even if it doesn't have Bible verses or Christian slogans attached to it. Just think on that. Your work is like an offering that you are going to present at the throne of God. Is the quality of your work befitting of the majesty of God? Would you be embarrassed to lay down your work at God's feet? Does the excellence of your work point people to the excellence of God? I know a few business people in our community who say that they actually don't like partnering with Christian businesses because those businesses aren't reliable. They don't honor deadlines. As if Christian Grace demands the excusing of sloppiness or a lack of professionalism. I'd just say that is flat out wrong. That is not a Christian approach to work in the business. Christian entrepreneurs ought to be producing something of quality and reliability that points people to the to the goodness and excellence of God. Christian entrepreneurs ought to pursue excellence in their businesses, not simply because they want to increase their bottom line, but because they do what they do as first and foremost an offering to Christ, because we report to a higher authority. We seek to serve him with the highest quality work possible. Think about it. Can't we safely assume that no wobbly chairs came out of the carpenter shop in Nazareth before Jesus preached the kingdom to the glory of God on a hillside? He made chairs to the glory of God in a carpenter shop. So we've got to follow the example of our savior and seek excellence in every aspect of our entrepreneurial journey, knowing that our business endeavors are primarily for God. 

All this is going to add new significance to what we do, especially during that difficult season when you know that God is watching. It changes your approach to those periods and in business or your enterprise when it feels like nobody else is. Whether everyone is praising you for a grand new initiative or you're struggling to get your first investor, you know this your work first and foremost for Christ. And he's always the same and he always deserves your best. 

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[ Photo by Giorgio Grani on Unsplash ]