In a gathering held in a church of Wuhan, Rev. Cui shares fives aspects to glorify God and edify people at work through Mat 25:14-30. He declares, "There were three servants: one given five talents of money, another with two talents and another with one. When they were asked to handle their master's business, what was the final result from the three's oversight? The master praised the two men who had received the five and the two talents, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.' But when it came to the man with just one talent, he said 'You wicked, lazy servant.'"
We can learn five good things from the first two servants in the parable:
1. Goodness.
"Christians should be kind-hearted and good to others." Goodness means kindness to others and understanding people, rather than displaying cowardice, accepting compromise, doing endless self-sacrifice or doing things without standards.
He illustrates, "For example, a newcomer in a company is undoubtedly at a loss on what to do and become filled with fear. He must be moved and he will be grateful if you give him a smile and encourage him. Some local companies pick on new people and outsiders, which is why the word 'outsider' is the synonym of discrimination."
2. Integrity.
The pastor finds that the boss of his previous workplace often lies while he gets angry especially when he realizes that he is deceived by his employees. It can seen be that everyone loves honest men. We should practice integrity and begin with ourselves.
He states that a liar hardly believes people around him and they start to tell lies because lying, a sin, tends to affect others.
Integrity is a key personality trait. For instance, a honest and trustworthy person may be not valued in companies and understood by bosses in the beginning. But their bosses will treat them in a new way over time for their integrity. Moreover, if we refuse to do some work that conflicts with our faith, our bosses will consider our personality and persuade us to stay even at the price of losing something.
3. Responsibility.
The world thinks that we work according to our salaries and companies pay you based on your performance. But Jesus says, "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) "
We should do things actively and finish our duties, away from the concept that it is okay to just complete things you can do this moment.
4. Diligence.
"How can we exceed our duties? Diligence. "
Diligence is very simple while it's likely to be ignored. It seems like that we tend to ignore the meditation aspect of the Lord's Prayer after reciting it for many times when we confess our faith with it.
5. Courage and innovation.
That's to say, daring to do it.
He says that every boss knows investment in business may make money or lose money. The master in the parable distributed his money to his servants, who didn't fear losing money. We need to use our talents from God rather than follow the servant with one talent, who thought about possible failure. God is not afraid of our failure, instead, He's worrying about our doing nothing at all.
Ephesians 6:6-7 states, "Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men." So behave like slaves of Christ and do everything to glorify Christ, not out of responsibility but doing God's will.
Translated by Karen Luo
