許多領袖對於上帝賦予工作的計劃和旨意看法很狹隘。我們上班時偶爾要提醒自己：自己是神的僕人。以下是上帝創造工作的5個P：目標(purpose)，供應(provision)，生產(productivity)，樂趣(pleasing)，以及提供秩序(providing order)。

我們從目標(purpose)談起。你可以把上帝想像成一個監督戰爭的軍事指揮官，祂的門徒中有很多士兵，但有一些是廚師、技工、速記員或士兵招募員。每個人都有自己的角色，為的是一起達成總目標：贏得戰爭。在箴言19章21節中，我們讀到：「人心多有計謀；惟有耶和華的籌算才能立定。」要明白，無論我們的角色是什麼，我們的工作對上帝都很重要。我們應當努力發現並實踐能成就上帝終極永恆目標的工作方式。

第二個工作的理由是供應(provision)。當上帝創造天地時，祂的工作確保了人類和所有動物都能被養活。在創世記1章29節中，我們讀到：「神說：『看哪，我將遍地上一切結種子的菜蔬和一切樹上所結有核的果子全賜給你們作食物。』」同樣的，上帝要我們工作的部分原因是滿足我們日常生活所需。不幸的是，許多人認為滿足生活所需是他們工作的唯一目的，而對生命感到空虛。

第三個工作的目的是生產力(productivity)。在十九世紀，地球似乎不可能產出足夠的糧食來養活70億人。然而，上帝啟示了一群發明家，引發工業革命。那些人的發明大幅提高了食物生產力，超出所有人的預期。 當上帝創造人類時，祂的第一個命令是：「要生養眾多，遍滿地面，治理這地。」（創世紀1章28節）祂希望我們在所作的一切事上取得豐碩成果，包括我們的工作。提高生產力也能提供我們的客戶更好的服務。當我們努力改進時，自己也會有更多的成就感。

上帝賦予工作的第四個任務可以被稱為「樂趣(pleasing)」。當我還是銀行家時，處理了一個新高爾夫球場的融資。當球場完工後，我參加了該球場歷史上第二輪高爾夫球賽！我站在無可挑剔、修剪整齊的球場上，在這令人驚嘆的美麗環境中被動物包圍，透過這些美的經驗，我發現自己的心靈立刻與上帝聯繫在一起。在創世記2章9節中，我們讀到：「耶和華 神使各樣的樹從地裡長出來，可以悅人的眼目，其上的果子好作食物。」上帝創造的東西不僅實用，美學上也令人愉悅。我們工作時，也應該努力做到這一點。

主為人類創造工作最後一個意義是提供秩序(providing order)。我們服事的上帝有條不紊。一開始世界黑暗空虛，上帝賜下秩序，創造了日期和季節，讓我們能好好管理我們的時間。創世記1章14節告訴我們：「神說：『天上要有光體，可以分晝夜，作記號，定節令、日子、年歲。』」律師、會計師和許多其他的專業人士，能幫我們這些製造混亂的人建立結構和秩序。有時候，我們用工作服事上帝的方式，就是把秩序帶入一個混亂的世界。

版權所有2019 非傳統商業網路(前身為純全資源中心)。節錄自和Rick Boxx的純全時刻，這本刊物主要是從基督徒的角度來探討職場上正直這個主題。如果希望知道更多關於這個事工或是想訂閱每日純全時刻，請上這個網站: www.unconventionalbusiness.org. Rick Boxx最新出版的書提供用五個關鍵的神的方法來建立企業

反省與問題討論

1. 在看到今天的週一嗎哪之前，如果有人請你說一說上帝賦予工作的目的，你會如何回答？
2. 文章中的討論是否讓你對「上帝希望我們每天如何工作」有不同的看法？請解釋你的答案。
3. 文章中哪一個P對你最有意義 ？為什麼？你覺得哪個最難以理解或運用？請解釋你的答案。
4. 如果你相信上帝真的賦予工作特別的理由，你每天準備上班的過程會有什麼不同嗎？

備註：如果你手上有聖經，想要閱讀更多的內容，請考慮下面的經文：

傳道書2章24-25節
2:24 人莫強如吃喝，且在勞碌中享福，我看這也是出於　神的手。
2:25 論到吃用、享福，誰能勝過我呢？

傳道書3章22節
3:22 故此，我見人莫強如在他經營的事上喜樂，因為這是他的分。他身後的事誰能使他回來得見呢？

哥林多後書5章20節
5:20 所以，我們作基督的使者，就好像　神藉我們勸你們一般。我們替基督求你們與　神和好。

以弗所書6章5-9節
6:5 你們作僕人的，要懼怕戰兢，用誠實的心聽從你們肉身的主人，好像聽從基督一般。
6:6 不要只在眼前事奉，像是討人喜歡的，要像基督的僕人，從心裏遵行　神的旨意。
6:7 甘心事奉，好像服事主，不像服事人。
6:8 因為曉得各人所行的善事，不論是為奴的，是自主的，都必按所行的得主的賞賜。
6:9 你們作主人的，待僕人也是一理，不要威嚇他們。因為知道，他們和你們同有一位主在天上；他並不偏待人。

歌羅西書3章17節
3:17 無論做甚麼，或說話或行事，都要奉主耶穌的名，藉著他感謝父　神。

歌羅西書3章 23-24節
3:23 無論做甚麼，都要從心裏做，像是給主做的，不是給人做的，
3:24 因你們知道從主那裏必得著基業為賞賜；你們所事奉的乃是主基督。

歌羅西書4章1節
4:1 你們作主人的，要公公平平地待僕人，因為知道你們也有一位主在天上。

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THE FIVE ‘P’s’ OF WORK FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE

By Rick Boxx

Many leaders have a very limited view of the plans and intentions God has for our work. So it helps to have an occasional reminder that when we go to work, we are there as His servants. Here are some of God’s reasons for establishing work, each of which in the English language begin with the letter “P”: purpose, provision, productivity, pleasing to the eyes, and providing order.

Let’s begin with Purpose. Think of God as a military commander overseeing a war. Many of His people are soldiers, but some are cooks, mechanics, bookkeepers, or marketing people who recruit soldiers. Each person has an individual role to play toward the overarching purpose of winning the war. In Proverbs 19:21 we read, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” We need to understand that our work matters to God, whatever our role happens to be. Strive to discover and carry out your appointed vocational purpose in a way that contributes toward God’s ultimate, eternal purpose.

The second of God’s reasons for work is Provision. When God was creating the heavens and the earth, He performed His work in a way to assure that man and all animals had a means of provision and sustenance. In Genesis 1:29 we read, “Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” Likewise, the work that God has ordained for us to do is partially designed for us to provide daily provisions for our needs. Unfortunately, many people believe provision is the only purpose for their work, leaving a void in life.

A third of God’s reasons for work is Productivity. In the 19th century, it would have seemed impossible that the earth could ever produce enough food to feed seven billion people. However, God provided divine insight to a number of inventors that helped to usher in the Industrial Revolution. Their inventions took productivity to a level that allowed food production to skyrocket, exceeding all expectations.

When God created man his first command was, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28). He desires for us to be fruitful or productive in all that we do, including our work. Increased productivity better serves our customers, and is more fulfilling for us personally as we strive to improve.

The fourth reason God ordained work can be termed, Pleasing to the Eyes. When I was a banker, I handled the financing for a new pristine golf course. When the course was completed, I played the second round of golf ever played on that course! As I stood on the impeccably manicured fairway, nestled in a stunningly beautiful setting, and surrounded by animal life, I found my heart instantly connected to God by the beauty I had experienced.

In Genesis 2:9 we read, “The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground – trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.” God was concerned about creating something not only practical and functional, but also aesthetically pleasing to others. As we approach our work, we should strive to do likewise.

The last of the “P’s” for the Lord’s reasons for creating work for humankind is Providing Order. We serve a God of order, not chaos. He took a dark, formless world and gave order to it, including days and seasons, allowing us to better manage our time. Genesis 1:14 tells us, “Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years.’” Lawyers, accountants, and many other professionals help those of us who create chaos to put some structure and order to our lives. Our work sometimes best serves God by bringing order into a chaotic world.

Copyright 2019, Unconventional Business Network Adapted with permission from “Integrity Moments with Rick Boxx,” a commentary on issues of integrity in the workplace from a Christian perspective. To learn more, visit www.unconventionalbusiness.org. His latest book, Unconventional Business, provides “Five Keys to Growing a Business God’s Way.” CBMC INTERNATIONAL: Jim Firnstahl, President 2850 N. Swan Road, Suite 160▪ Tucson, Arizona 85712 ▪ U.S.A. TEL.: 520-334-1114 ▪ E-MAIL: [email protected] Web site: www.cbmcint.org Please direct any requests or change of address to: [email protected]

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. Before reading this “Monday Manna,” if someone had asked you to describe God’s purpose for work, how would you have responded?
2. Does this discussion give you a different perspective about how God intends for us to approach and perform our work each day? Why or why not?
3. Which of the five purposes cited for work makes the most sense for you – and why? Which do you find most difficult to understand or to apply? Explain your answer.
4. If God truly does have specific reasons for us to pursue our work, what difference should that make as you prepare to go to work each day?

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Ecclesiastes 2:24-25, 3:22; 2 Corinthians 5:20; Ephesians 6:5-9: Colossians 3:17,23-24; 4:1

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