在職場照亮我們的路
By Rick Boxx
在我職業生涯的初期，我是為一家銀行的董事長工作，那時我常常需要為處理銀行的重要事務尋求方向。我的老闆會利用這些機會來訓練我他是如何進行商業決定，甚至告訴我聖經如何幫助他作出智慧的選擇。
在許多情況中，他會提到聖經中的一節經文或一個原則，然後幫助我如何把那經文應用在我的情況中。他並沒有試著要我改信他的宗教，或強迫我接受他的信仰。那位銀行主管只是在行動上和言語上顯示聖經的原則和真理是他面對工作和對員工、客戶及股東的基礎。
起先我很懷疑，心想一本古老的「宗教」書籍怎會與職場有關係，但當我看到那些決定帶來的結果，我開始明白使用聖經作為商業指南的智慧。發現聖經雖然是在幾千年前寫的，但與現代工商專業界非常相關且可應用出來。
在職場中我們都遇過晦暗和不確定的情況。聖經中的一節經文直接說到這一點，多年來我都把它記在心中。詩篇119篇105節教導道：「你的話是我腳前的燈，是我路上的光。」我無法告訴你有多少次當我面對各樣挑戰，需要作困難的決定時，就打開聖經，讓它的教導照亮我的路。
不論你是一個團隊的領袖且想要智慧地帶領，或只是開始你的事業且試著找到適合自己的道路，我強烈建議使用神的話作為計劃和決策的主要資源。以下是我們必需了解聖經的一些其他事情：
它教導我們去做正確的事。為了想要增加我們的商業利益，我們會面對許多試探去妥協或偷工減料。若我們學習聖經的原則，甚至努力記住那些原則，我們就可以避開可能的陷阱。「少年人用什麼潔淨他的行為呢﹖是要遵行你的話…我將你的話藏在心裡，免得我得罪你」（詩篇119篇9、11節）。
即使環境改變，它還是我們在職場上行事的可用工具。幾世紀前或幾十年前，許多教導如何作生意的書籍現在卻已過時，但聖經的一個特點是它的適用性永遠不褪色，因為它處理永恆的真理和有關人類的不變本性。「神的道是活潑的，是有功效的，比一切兩刃的劍更快，甚至魂與靈，骨節與骨髓，都能刺入、剖開，連心中的思念和主意都能辨明」（希伯來書4章12節）。
它是設計者提供的操作手冊。若你要了解如何適當地使用一個工具或機器，查看操作手冊去看它如何被設計是智慧的作法。聖經是上帝這位設計者賜給人類的，用於教導、引領、糾正、訓練人們過成功的生活。「聖經都是神所默示的，於教訓、督責、使人歸正、教導人學義都是有益的，叫屬神的人得以完全，預備行各樣的善事」（提摩耐後書3章16-17節）。
本文版權為正直資源中心（Integrity Resource Center, Inc.）所有。本文獲得授權改編自「瑞克．博克思的正直時刻Integrity Moments with Rich Boxx」。這系列的文章是以一個基督徒的觀點評論職場的正直議題。
省思 / 討論題目
在今天的商場環境中，你認為是否有合適的方法來展現聖經真理可以應用在職場的各種層面？為什麼？ 你是否同意聖經適用於21世紀的工商專業界？請解釋。 若你可以，請舉一例說明你如何使用或經歷一項聖經真理或原則去解決一個職場的問題或困難，或作出一個重要的決定。 若你發現自己在一個黑暗、不熟悉的房間，若有一個手電筒會非常有幫助。聖經宣稱自己是「腳前的燈，路的光。」你對此有何看法。註：若你有聖經且想要看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：詩篇119篇1-4節、17-18節、33-40節；約書亞記1章8節；約翰福音8章12節、16章13節；哥林多後書6章14-16節；彼得前書5章1-3節
LIGHTING OUR WAY THROUGH THE WORKPLACE
By Rick Boxx
Early in my business career, while working for a certain bank president, many times I needed specific direction for handling critical issues at the bank. My boss used these opportunities to train me in the way he processed business decisions,even showing me how the Bible aided him in making wise choices.
On many occasions, he would make reference to a verse or principle from Scripture and then help me in discovering how to apply it to my situation. He was not trying to proselytize me, or impose his spiritual beliefs on me. The bank executive was simply demonstrating both in action and through his words, how the principles and truths of the Bible served as a foundation for how he approached his job and the responsibilities he had for his employees, customers and shareholders.
I was skeptical at first, wondering how an old “religious” book could relate to the workplace, but as I watched these decisions play out, I began to see the wisdom in using the Bible as a guidebook for business.It was amazing to discover how relevant and applicable it is for the contemporary business and professional world, despite having been written thousands of years ago.
We all have times when circumstances at work seem dark and uncertain. A verse in the Scriptures speaks directly to this, and I have taken it to heart for many years. Psalm 119:105 teaches,"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."I cannot tell you how many times I have turned to the Bible and its teachings to illuminate the way for making difficult decisions when confronting various challenges.
Whether you are the leader of a team and desire to lead it wisely, or just getting started in your career and trying to find your way, I would strongly recommend using God’s Word as a primary resource for planning and decision-making. Here are some other things we need to understand about the Bible:
It teaches the right things to do. We face many temptations to compromise and take shortcuts in the desire to advance our business interests. If we learn the principles of the Bible, even committing them to memory, we can avoid potential pitfalls. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word…. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:9,11).
It remains a viable tool for how to conduct ourselves in the workplace regardless of the changing environment. Many books on business practices that were useful centuries or even decades ago are hopelessly out of date, but a unique quality of the Bible is its validity has never faded, since it deals with eternal truths and the unchanging nature of mankind. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
It is a manual provided by the Designer. If you want to understand how to properly utilize a tool or machine, it is wise to consult its operating manual to see how it was designed. The Bible claims to be given to mankind by God the Designer, to properly teach, guide, correct and train for successful living. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Copyright 2014, Integrity Resource Center, Inc. Adapted with permission from "Integrity Moments with Rick Boxx," a commentary on issues of integrity in the workplace from a Christian perspective
Reflection/Discussion Questions
In today”s business environment, do you think there is an appropriate way for demonstrating how biblical truths apply the various aspects of the workplace? Why or why not? Do you agree with the statement that the Bible is relevant and applicable to the 21st century business and professional world? Explain your answer. If you can, give an example of how you have used or experienced a biblical truth or principle for resolving a workplace problem or issue, or arriving at a key decision. If you found yourself in a dark, unfamiliar room, having a flashlight readily available would be very helpful. What is your view of the Bible”s declaration that it is a “lamp for my feet, a light for my path”?NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages: Psalm 119:1-4,17-18,33-40; Joshua 1:8; John 8:12, 16:13;2 Corinthians 6:14-16
