[Ecohoon] The Purpose of Work for a Christian_Reflections on "Work and Spirituality" part.1

There's an essential book for Christian professionals. You've probably heard of it: Tim Keller's "Work and Vocation." This book details the mindset a Christian should have while working.

Being a Christian in the workplace isn't always easy. While Korean churches are strict about alcohol, I believe my body is a temple, as the Bible says, and I don't want to defile it with alcohol. With that in mind, I avoid alcohol and try to stay sharp. However, alcohol plays a significant role in Korean workplaces. Korean drinking culture has always been a challenge for me. Fortunately, this culture is gradually improving.

I've gained many insights from this book. I want to share them in a series of posts. The first part will focus on a Christian's understanding of the purpose of their work in the world.

"The very fact that God has called you and given you a task empowers you; therefore, you shouldn't choose a job or approach work with the intention of self-fulfillment or gaining power" (page 83). That's right. When choosing a job, it shouldn't be primarily about fulfilling our desires. God has given each of us a mission, gifts, and talents. We need to consider how and where to best use these, and approach it with prayer and reflection.

"Work should be seen as a tool to serve God and others; you need to choose your job and approach your work accordingly" (page 83). The core of what the Bible teaches is "love." Serving and loving our neighbors is the duty of a Christian. This is what pleases the Lord.

The book also states that, "Before choosing a career, the question shouldn't be, "What can I do to make a lot of money and get ahead?" but rather, "Given my abilities and opportunities, how can I best serve others while always being mindful of God's will and the needs of my neighbors?"

Believers need to seriously consider this question. We don't work simply to become rich and famous. Understanding what God requires of us, preparing for it, and striving for it is the attitude we should have.

This is a far cry from the way many Christians act today. Even as Christians, some prioritize money above all else, stepping on others, engaging in fraud and deceit, and acting with envy to surpass others. Instead of thinking about how to help others, they only think about how to live better than everyone else.

Honestly, I've been guilty of this. I've wanted to be more successful than others, to have more money, to be superior to my friends, and to live in a better house and drive a better car than others. These have become my goals.

We need to reflect on ourselves through constant prayer and Bible reading. And we need to seek to understand and fulfill God's will.

According to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, question 1, God's requirement of us is "to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever." Based on this, I recognize my responsibility to share with future generations how I was able to attend university, obtain my job, and perform my work.

To fulfill this responsibility, I must do my best at work and continue my career. I must help my colleagues, contribute to the company's vitality through sales, and strive to truly understand and help my customers. I must show that Christian professionals are different, that they truly work based on the Word of God. In this way, we can fulfill our roles as the salt and light of the world. This is my purpose as a Christian in my work.