They’re Watching   (adapted from More than a Hobby, David Green, 2005)

Keith Starcher
DayStar Consulting

I’d like to take a few quotes from David Green’s book as a launching pad for a topic we rarely discuss as Christian businessmen and women (i.e. the theology of work).  The founder of Hobby Lobby states the following near the end of his book, More than a Hobby:

“There is a God, and He’s not averse to business.  He’s not just a ‘Sunday Deity.’  He understands margins and spreadsheets, competition and profits.  Pleasing customers is important, but pleasing God through the way I run the business is even more important.”

There are at least two principles we can extract from the above thoughts.

#1 – Our Work in the Marketplace Matters to God

I can remember leaving Westinghouse in 1976.  I was leaving a well-paid job, a job that I had trained for at Penn State; a job that I was pretty good at.  And where was I going?  I went to work for our church as the business administrator—a job that I knew nothing about.  And why did I make this career move?  Because, at that time, I thought that I could only please God by serving Him in full-time ministry.  I was wrong. 

I am not alone in this struggle.  Many grow up without coming to a biblical understanding of work.  The fact is; God can use you and me in the marketplace in a myriad of honorable occupations from janitor to CEO.  I fondly recall a chapel service at Geneva College last year where the guest speaker was a sincere man who serves as a janitor on our campus.  He explained to us very eloquently that He worked hard to be an excellent janitor because, in doing so, He pleased God.  He’s exactly right. 

Someone once opined, “Oh, if only God would call me to _______ (fill in the blank).  How well I could serve Him there.”  To which a wise sage responded, “You can only serve God here, right where you are.  You can’t serve Him there, where you’re not!”  This makes sense to me.  If He wants you to serve Him there, He’ll move you there eventually.  But until that time, serve Him with excellence here where you are.

David Green’s epiphany came later in his career.  He describes it this way in the book: “Something clicked inside me at that moment.  Maybe God has a purpose for a merchant after all.  Maybe He has a place for me.”

And that’s the truth for each of us.  God does have a place for you to serve.  The best thing to do is to assume that “that place” is where you are located right now.  Because your work—right now—right where you are—matters to God.

#2 – They’re Watching

Have you ever gone to work on a Monday morning and wondered, “Why am I doing this?”  Perhaps you knew that the next 8-10 hours would hold several challenges from people to financial.  Perhaps you hated the thought of another boring morning doing the same things you mastered years ago.  You saw no challenge, no reason—no purpose for getting into your car, driving to your place of employment, and facing another day.  But if you entered each workday with the understanding that “they are watching,” your perspective on your work might change.

And who are the “they?”  Our author, and many others, would agree that you and I should consider that God is watching. As you enter the “work zone,” He is very interested in what you are doing.  Certainly He understands the details of your business.  But that’s not what captures His attention.  And, yes, He wants you to be ethical and honest in all your business dealings throughout the day.  But what really makes Him crane His neck and look over the portals of Heaven…the reason He has placed you where you are in the marketplace…is His overarching interest in people.  Think about it.  How many people do you see, talk to, e-mail, etc. during a normal workday?  He’s watching how you handle these valuable resources.  No, not the financial assets of your organization—not even your core competencies.  How are you showing each of these individuals God’s love?

And, oh yes, speaking of these work associates, vendors, bankers, etc. with whom you and I hobnob each day, guess what?  They’re watching us as well.  They are looking to see how we react when things don’t go so well.  They’re looking to see if the Jesus that we sometimes talk about has really made a deep-down difference in who we are, what we say, how we act—even how we think.

I’m wondering how “they” reacted when David Green decided that Hobby Lobby would close at 8 p.m. not 9 p.m. so that his associates could get home in time to see their kids before they went to bed.  Or when a sign was placed on the door of each of his stores that read, “Closed Sundays to Allow Employees Time for Family or Worship.”  Neither of those actions makes much sense in the world of retail.  But both actions allowed others to see the CEO of Hobby Lobby “walk the talk.”  And although there were many naysayers when the above decisions were made, I tend to think about the many who were watching and were profoundly affected by Mr. Green’s willingness to do what he believed would please God and benefit his employees—even if it hurt him financially.

Sunday ‘spilling over’ into Monday

It’s easy to compartmentalize our lives.  We worship God on Sunday and mammon the rest of the week.  David Green would have none of it.  Neither should you or I.  Just remember:

·        Your Work Matters to God

·        They’re Watching

Keith

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