Workplace Meditation Week 10: Workplace Neighborliness

Workplace Meditation

Workplace Neighborliness

Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 10: 23-24, 31-32; 11:1 (NIV)

Passage Key Words: “own good,” “good of others,” “example of Christ”

Topical Key Words: Self-interest, community-interest and public service

If one is contemplating certain workplace decisions that are matter of personal style and preference, how should one decide in order to arrive at Christ-centered decisions? Sometimes, these decisions are more problematic because company policy and the law provide no guidance. Therefore, we struggle, suffer, and eventually settle for imperfect options, while still debating if there are better ways.

The Christians at Corinth struggled with many questions and decisions about “permissible” behaviors. In the passage above, their issues were about eating foods offered to idols. The Apostle Paul attempted to guide them. First, he reaffirmed their personal rights and freedom to eat anything based on personal beliefs, knowledge and preferences but warned them about the unforeseen consequences of ignoring other people’s wellbeing in their choices. In essence, not all “permissible” behaviors are “constructive” or “beneficial,” even though allowed.

Therefore, he gave these five guiding questions and principles for judging decisions or decisions arising from our personal styles and preferences:

Does it promote the “glory of God.” (Do everything for the “glory of God.”)
Are others impacted negatively? (Don’t harm or undermine others.)
Would it provide good for the many? (Always serve the good of the many rather than few.)
Could it inspire someone to receive God’s salvation? (Put people’s eternal salvation paramount.)
Does it reflect Jesus’ example? (Follow Jesus’ example.)

These test questions sums up the Apostle’s advice when faced with matters of personal preferences, not infringing on God’s moral law.

Lord, grant us the Wisdom of Solomon when faced with decisions where the impact on others and long-term outcomes are hard to gauge.

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