Feb. 2, 2025

What Does It Mean to Truly Serve God in Your Professional Life?

Can You Serve Two Masters? Finding God’s Purpose in Your Professional Life

Many Christians struggle to balance their faith with their careers. They feel pressure to succeed in the workplace, but they also want to honor God in all they do. Is it possible to find God’s purpose in your professional life? Or What Does It Mean to Truly Serve God in Your Professional Life?

Check out the full podcast episode:

The Bible clearly states that you cannot serve two masters. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus says, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” ¹ This verse is often interpreted to mean that you cannot be both a Christian and successful in your career. However, this is not necessarily the case. What Jesus is saying is that you cannot have two ultimate allegiances. You cannot be devoted to both God and money. If you are focused on accumulating wealth, you will inevitably neglect your relationship with God. On the other hand, if you are devoted to God, you will not be consumed by the pursuit of wealth.

A "wise worker" views their work from an eternal perspective². They understand that their job is not just a means to an end, but an opportunity to serve God and others. They find value in their work beyond earthly rewards, knowing that their efforts have eternal significance.

So, how can you find God’s purpose in your professional life? Here are a few practical tips:

Pray for Guidance

The first step is to pray and ask God to show you His purpose for your career. Ask Him to give you wisdom and discernment as you make decisions about your work³. Don't just pray general prayers, but be specific in your requests. Ask God to open doors for opportunities that align with His will and to close doors that lead you away from Him³. Seek His guidance in every aspect of your career, from daily tasks to long-term goals.

Identify Your Gifts and Talents and Seek to Align Your Passion with God’s Plan

God has given each of us unique gifts and talents. Take some time to identify your strengths and consider how you can use them to serve God in your work⁴. You can also ask friends, family, or mentors for their insights into your strengths and potential areas for growth⁴. Think about the things that you are passionate about. How do your interests and skills intersect with God’s call? Consider how your work can serve a greater purpose⁴. For example, if you are passionate about helping people, you might consider a career in healthcare or social work.

As you seek to align your passion with God's plan, remember that finding your purpose starts with seeking the Lord⁵. He is your Creator, and He knows you better than you know yourself. Come before Him in prayer and ask Him to reveal His calling for your life. Be open to His leading, even if it differs from your expectations⁵.

Be Excellent in Your Work

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters⁶. Even if you don’t have your dream job, you can still honor God by being a faithful and diligent worker. God designed humanity to work from the beginning⁷. Work is a gift from God, not a curse, and it's an opportunity to reflect His image. We work because our Creator works⁷.

Don’t Despise Small Beginnings

It’s easy to get discouraged if you don’t feel like you’re making a big impact in your work. But remember that God often uses small beginnings to accomplish great things⁶. Be patient and trust that God is working in your life, even if you can’t see it yet.

Seek Mentorship and Support

Connect with other Christians who are also seeking to find God’s purpose in their professional lives⁶. They can offer encouragement, support, and accountability. You can also find resources online and in books, such as those listed below⁴.

Remember That Your Work Is Not Your Identity

It’s important to remember that your work is not your identity. You are a child of God, and your worth is found in Him, not in your career⁶. This can be a difficult truth to embrace, especially in a culture that often defines people by their jobs. But it’s essential to keep your identity in Christ at the forefront of your mind.

Stories of People Who Found God’s Purpose in Their Professional Lives

The Bible is full of stories of people who found God’s purpose in their professional lives. Joseph, for example, was sold into slavery but eventually rose to become a powerful leader in Egypt¹⁰. He used his position to help others and to glorify God.

In more recent times, there are countless examples of Christians who have found God’s purpose in their careers. These include:

Jim Elliot: A missionary and martyr who demonstrated sacrificial love¹¹.
Jackie Robinson: An athlete who used his platform to fight discrimination and seek the good of others¹¹.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: A pastor who courageously stood against the Nazi regime¹¹.
George Müller: A man who exemplified faith by trusting God to provide for him and the orphans in his care¹¹.
Brother Andrew: A missionary known for his obedience in smuggling Bibles into closed countries¹¹.
Eric Liddell: An Olympic athlete and missionary who lived for what mattered most¹¹.
John Newton: A former slave trader who became a preacher and helped abolish slavery in England¹¹.
William Carey: A missionary known as the father of modern missions who served faithfully in India¹¹.

These individuals, from various walks of life, all found God's purpose in their professional endeavors. Their stories serve as an inspiration and reminder that God can use anyone, in any profession, to accomplish His will.

Resources for Christians Seeking God’s Purpose in Their Professional Lives

If you are a Christian who is seeking to find God’s purpose in your professional life, there are many resources available to help you. Here are a few:

Books:
- Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work by Timothy Keller
- The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life by Os Guinness
- Live Inspired by Purpose: Discover How the Unique Things About You Reveal God’s Purpose for You by Dawn Damon
Websites:
- The Center for Faith and Work at LeTourneau University ⁴
- The C.S. Lewis Institute ⁹
- Focus on the Family ⁸
Podcasts:
- Focus on the Family Broadcast ⁸

Conclusion

Finding God’s purpose in your professional life is a journey, not a destination. It’s a process of seeking God’s guidance, identifying your gifts and talents, and aligning your passion with His plan. It’s also important to remember that your work is not your identity. You are a child of God, and your worth is found in Him.

As you seek God’s purpose for your career, be encouraged by the stories of others who have found fulfillment in their work. And don’t be afraid to ask for help from mentors, friends, and family. With God’s help, you can find a career that is both successful and meaningful.

Ultimately, finding God's purpose in your professional life is about surrendering your career to Him and allowing Him to work through you. It's about seeing your work as an act of worship and using your gifts and talents to serve Him and others. When you do this, you will not only find fulfillment in your career, but you will also bring glory to God.

Works cited

Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. - Bible Hub, accessed January 23, 2025, https://biblehub.com/matthew/6-24.htm
Finding Purpose and Meaning in Your Work | Pastor Jeremy Schell - YouTube, accessed January 23, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL-QORGZqUw
How Do You Find What God Wants You To Do Career-Wise? : r/Christians - Reddit, accessed January 23, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/Christians/comments/uudh3u/how_do_you_find_what_god_wants_you_to_do/
Finding Purpose in Work Through God's Glory | CCU Online - Colorado Christian University, accessed January 23, 2025, https://www.ccu.edu/blogs/cags/category/devotionals/finding-purpose-in-work-through-gods-glory/
How to Find Your Purpose as a Christian, accessed January 23, 2025, https://www.awomancreatedonpurpose.com/news/findingpurpose
How To Find God's Purpose In Your Career, accessed January 23, 2025, https://jrjarvis.com/how-to-find-gods-purpose-in-your-career/
The Most Important Reason We Work | Desiring God, accessed January 23, 2025, https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-most-important-reason-we-work
Finding God's Purpose for Your Life - Focus on the Family, accessed January 23, 2025, https://www.focusonthefamily.com/episodes/broadcast/finding-gods-purpose-for-your-life/
Discovering God's Purpose for Your Life - C.S. Lewis Institute, accessed January 23, 2025, https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/discovering-gods-purpose-for-your-life/
Joseph, Crappy Jobs, and Working for the Glory of God (The Story Notes #4) | Reformedish, accessed January 23, 2025, https://derekzrishmawy.com/2013/10/06/joseph-crappy-jobs-and-working-for-the-glory-of-god-the-story-notes-4/
Inspiring stories of God's power in the lives of ordinary men - ERLC, accessed January 23, 2025, https://erlc.com/resource/inspiring-stories-of-gods-power-in-the-lives-of-ordinary-men/

Ralph V. Estep, Jr.

Christian Financial Consulting

Ralph V. Estep, Jr. is a highly accomplished professional with a diverse background in finance, accounting, technology, and entrepreneurship. As the principal at Saggio Management Group, Inc., he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise in various roles throughout his career.

Ralph's educational journey began at St. Mark's High School in Newark, Delaware before attending the University of Nebraska where he was an esteemed member of the Cornhusker Marching Band and had the privilege of performing at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

Continuing his pursuit of knowledge and excellence, Ralph earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Delaware. He further expanded his academic achievements by obtaining a Master's in Business Administration from Wilmington University.

Throughout his professional journey, Ralph has been recognized for his outstanding accomplishments and commitment to excellence. He is a member of prestigious organizations such as the Golden Key National Honor Society and Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society.

With an extensive range of professional designations including Licensed Public Accountant (LPA), Accredited Business Accountant (ABA), Accredited Tax Advisor (ATA), Accredited Tax Preparer (ATP), and Internal Revenue Service Registered Tax Preparer (RTRP), Ralph possesses comprehensive expertise in tax preparation and financial management.

Beyond his impressive qualifications, Ralph has actively engaged with various community programs as bo… Read More

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