打開信心的大門
By:John D. Beckett
職場兩難版本: 編輯提醒－這是第一篇每月一次的週一嗎哪`,主要著重在職場上經常會遇到的兩難或困境。在簡略的敘述問題之後，我們會提供職場倫理的討論議題或是小組討論問題。文末也會提供我們的評論以及可以應用的聖經原則。
Findlay跟自己爭辯許久之後，他做了一個決定－把他的聖經留在工作的桌子上。自從成為基督徒之後，他希望其他人知道最近他相信的這個信仰。他覺得這是傳福音的第一歩，也許神會告訴他怎麼做。
很快的，人力資源主任走進辦公室，皺眉之後十分肯定地對他說：「我親愛的朋友，請問你變成基督徒了嗎？」
Findlay背脊一涼，他知道自己下一句必須小心的說，他很快做了一個禱告希望知道自己應該說什麼？
「啊！我真的很開心你注意到。我昨天才把這聖經帶來辦公室。最近我的生活有了很大的改變，聖經也是其中的一部分。」
主任繼續說：「我尊重選擇，但是你個人的故事得改天再說了。提醒你，公司是你的第一責任。信仰是私人事務，至於宗教物品請你留在家裡星期天使用。
問題討論
聽到主任說：「信仰是私人事務，至於宗教物品請你留在家裡星期天使用。」你覺得Findlay要怎麼應？你覺得可以把聖經公開的放在辦公室桌上嗎？ 你覺得在職場上公開自己的信仰，是否恰當？何時是不恰當的？我們應該主動告訴別人我們的信仰嗎？或者等別人來問才說？請解釋一下自己的答案。 你覺得在職場上，人們應該避免談到宗教，還是應該把神放入每天的生活和關係中？貝克特是美國俄亥俄州伊利里亞鎮貝克特企業的總裁。該公 司是世界上最大的暖氣油爐製造商(含商用及住宅用)。於2003年當選安永會計師事務所(EY)”年度企業家”。他的著作「愛上星期一Loveing Mondy」已經翻譯成19國的語言。
最好的練習
聰明的公司應該對家庭的態度友善，他們對宗教信仰也當如此。人們應該跟員工分享最好的，但是不能期望把宗教信仰帶到工作。對某些人來說，宗教信仰只是每週幾小時的活動。但是對某些人來說，他們的宗教信仰是他們組成這個人和他們生活的一部份。
事實上，最佳的員工應該像是歌羅西書3章23節所說的:「無論做甚麼，都要從心裏做，像是給主做的，不是給人做的，」無論公司要求多高，神的標準都更高。所以「像是給主做的」的人無論在哪裡工作都會被認為是最佳的員工。
更進一步思考
一個最能有效連結實際生活與信仰的方法就是透過優異的工作表現。「你們是世上的鹽。…你們是世上的光。城造在山上是不能隱藏的。你們的光也當這樣照在人前，叫他們看見你們的好行為，便將榮耀歸給你們在天上的父。」(馬太福音5章13、14、16節) 雖然我們不能把信仰強加在別人身上，如果我們真正相信神有大能能夠改變生命，我們就應該在有機會的時候熱心的傳講耶穌。「凡在人面前認我的，我在我天上的父面前也必認他；」(馬太福音10章32節) 歌羅西書4章5-6節說到: 「你們要愛惜光陰，用智慧與外人交往。」「你們的言語要常常帶著和氣， 好像用鹽調和，就可知道該怎樣回答各人。」你覺得在職場要如何運用這兩節經文？ 另外一段有趣的經文在彼得前書3章15-16節告訴我們：「只要心裏尊主基督為聖。有人問你們心中盼望的緣由，就要常作準備，以溫柔、敬畏的心回答各人；」「存著無虧的良心，叫你們在何事上被毀謗，就在何事上可以叫那誣賴你們在基督裏有好品行的人自覺羞愧。」我們要如何應用這兩節經文在工作職場上？
FAITH: HOW OPEN CAN YOU BE?
By John D. Beckett
Findlay debated with himself for some time, and then made a conscious decision to leave a Bible on his desk at work. Since becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, he wanted to let others know about his newfound faith. He concluded this small step could open some doors for discussion, even opportunities to tell about what God had been doing in his life.
It did not take long for Findlay to get a response. Into his office walked the manager of human relations: “My friend, what is that?” The frown on his face toward the now openly displayed book was unmistakable. “Have you become one of those?”
A chill went down Findlay”s spine. He knew his next words were important, so he lifted a quick prayer for what to say.
“Ahh, I”m actually glad you noticed. I brought it in yesterday. Some things have happened in my life, and this book is part of the story.”
“Well, with all due respect,” replied the manager, “your story will have to wait for another day. But just a reminder, your first responsibility is to this company. For me, religion is a private matter, and belongs at home and for Sundays.”
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
After hearing the last comment from the manager, that “religion is a private matter, and belongs at home and for Sundays,” how do you think Findlay should have responded? Do you agree with his decision to openly display the Bible on his desk? Why or why not? When do you think it is appropriate to be transparent with others about your faith? When is it not appropriate? Should we be proactive in telling others about our beliefs, or should we let them take the initiative? Explain your answer. Why do you think people in the workplace are expected to leave their faith at the door, rather than attempting to integrate their belief in God into their everyday decisions and relationships?© 2015. John D. Beckett is chairman of R. W. Beckett Corporation in Elyria, Ohio, U.S.A., one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial heating systems.
BEST PRACTICES
Just as businesses are wise to be family-friendly, they also are wise to be faith-friendly. People should be expected to give their best to their employers, but should not be expected to separate their faith from their work. For some people, religious practices are merely activities that take up an hour or two each week, but for many, their spiritual beliefs are part of the fabric of who they are – and how they live.
In fact, the best employees will be those who follow Colossians 3:23: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” No matter how high the standard for quality a company may establish, God”s standards are even higher. So the person working “heartily as to the Lord” should be expected to be among the very best performers in any organization.
FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION
One of the most effective ways of demonstrating the reality and relevance of faith is in striving to perform with excellence in our work. “You are the salt of the earth…the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:13,14,16). While we are not to impose our faith on others, if we truly believe God has had a life-changing impact on our lives, we should be willing – even eager – to tell others about Him when opportunities arise. “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32). Colossians 4:5-6 says we are to, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” What do you think that means, especially within the workplace context? Another interesting passage on sharing our faith is 1 Peter 3:15-16 which tells us, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” How would you apply this exhortation to the contemporary workplace?
