The Bible clearly teaches that a person’s relationship with Jesus should affect all other relationships. friends. But what about work relationships? Every person has the same allotment of time—168 hours per week. If you sleep eight hours per night, that means you’ll be awake about 112 hours each week. The activities associated with work— getting ready for work, commuting to and from work, and actually working—will absorb about half that time. So if you are like most of us, a block of about 56 hours each week is already committed to work. Most people spend much of their day working with people. You may spend more time with the people at your job than you do with any other group. Workplace relationships are opportunities given to us by God. Scripture gives clear direction about how we are to treat people so we can be God’s instrument to transform lives. MIMBS 5 37 Monday—August 14•Summarizing the Law and the Prophets So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12) Often we think of that primarily in terms of our closest relationships—like family and Re-read today’s Scripture. Is it hardest for you to apply that at home, at church, or at work? Explain your answer. Daily Reading: Nehemiah 7:74–9:21, 1 Corinthians 9:1–18, Psalm 33:12–22, Proverbs 21:11–12 Tuesday—August 15•Dealing With Difficult People “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also...You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:38,39, 43–45a) Researchers have concluded that the top reason why CEOs fail in their positions has to do with their people skills. They can be tremendously talented in other areas, but if they lack people skills, they face a limitation that is very difficult to overcome. Basically, on any given day, every person you meet is a confluence of complexity and an amalgam of inconsistencies. And in business, we must deal with people in so many different categories. We have dissatisfied, unappreciative customers. We have non-performing employees. We have over-reaching, controlling bosses. In that context, how does faith affect our relationships? Jesus calls us to live with an attitude of non-retaliation and tolerance. He calls us to be thermostats in the world around us, rather than simply being thermometers. He doesn’t want us to simply record and mirror emotions around us. He wants us to live so that people identify us as disciples, altering our environment by demonstrating love and respect, even when it seems to be undeserved. MIMBS 5 Think of one person at work who is easy to get along with, and one who is difficult. How do you treat them differently? Does that difference reflect the attitude recommended by today’s Scripture? Get input from men in your group. Daily Reading: Nehemiah 9:22–10:39, 1 Corinthians 9:19–10:13, Psalm 34:1–10, Proverbs 21:13
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