Resources / Faith-based Career Planning

My Faith-based Operating Principles for Life/Career Planning

Ten Biblical Principles •

Our relationship to God

Workmanship	God wants us to see how really extraordinary we are (see Psalm 139:13-14 and Genesis 1)--the crown of creation, called to be co-creators with God, made in His image as workers.
Lordship	God expects us to acknowledge His right to be Lord of our time, community, resources and careers by presenting our lives to Him (see Romans 12:1-3, Ephesians 2:8-10, and Philippians 2:5-8). The call of God is always His invitation to us to accept salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Christian vocation is our response to this call to salvation and service.
Stewardship	God expects us to accept responsibility for wisely managing and investing the time, abilities, community, and resources God has entrusted to each of us (see Matthew 5:14-29, Philippians 2:12-13, and Proverbs 16:3 and 16:9). The word, steward, has many parallels to the idea of manager, that is, someone who is placed in charge of someone else’s property and is not the owner. Caretaker has a similar nuance. The word in the King James’ Version of the Bible, dominion, has been misunderstood to imply “use however one wishes.”
God's expectations for our work and ministry
Work / Rest	Work is "purposeful activity" created and commanded by God: "tending," i.e., manual or physical, and "naming," i.e., mental or cognitive (see Genesis 1:28-29, 2:19-20, and 3:17-19). And Rest is "cessation from work, “ i.e., Sabbath (see Genesis 2:2 and Exodus 20:8-11).
Expression	God wants us to express our God-given design, including such elements as motivated abilities, subject matter/interests, circumstances, and in relationships (see Exodus 36:1 and Genesis 1:31). We excel only in work and ministry that fit our God-given design (talents / gifts), or which God specially empowers us if we are not already so talented or gifted, that is, He performs a miracle. Spiritual gifts can simply be defined as "what one does well that benefits others." Gifts (which non-Christians do not have) and abilities/talents are both God-given, that is, the source is the same. The difference between them is in effect: A gift is always for the common good of others, helping others' involvement in furthering the kingdom of God, not simply for self-betterment. The distinction between them becomes less clear when one's God-given ability/talent is used as a gift for others' benefit, that is, in service to them. One other distinction is that a gift is an exercise rather than a possession. The Apostle Paul explains it is not given to have but to use, not a possession but an exercise by the power of the Holy Spirit. And the context is corporate, not private. Christian believers should not struggle to discover their gifts and then wonder how to use them. Rather, a Christian person participates in the body and sensitive to the needs of others, trusts the sovereign Spirit to manifest whatever gifts will meet the needs of the community.
Provision	God provides for our needs and the needs of those for whom God holds us responsible (see 1 Timothy 5:8, 18, Genesis 4:2, 21-22, 29:28, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12, and Philippians 4:19).
Mission	God wants us to accomplish His agenda on earth: restore all humankind to personal wholeness and to a right relationship with Him and with others--through Christians like us (see 1 Corinthians 15:58, Matthew 22:37-40, John 15:10 and 13, Ephesians 2:10, 1 John 3:18, 1 Peter 2:12 and 3:15, Acts 1:8, John 15:5, 16:12-15, Matthew 9:37-38, Isaiah 6, and Nehemiah 1:4).
Our ministry through work and our work in ministry
Integration	God expects us to integrate--that is, balance--expression, provision, and mission, and to put God's kingdom at the center of our lives--what Christian futurist Tom Sine has called "whole-life stewardship" (see Matthew 6:33, Philippians 2:5-8, and Matthew 25:21). Common disintegrations / imbalances: mission without expression or provision, expression without mission or provision, or provision without expression or mission. Models for integrating mission and occupation: mission as occupation, occupation to support your mission, and mission in your occupation.
Integrity	God expects you to live a godly life while you work (see 1 Peter 2:12, Galatians 5:19-22): committed to getting the job done (Ephesians 6:5-10, 1 Timothy 6:1-2, Titus 2:9-10, and 1 Peter 2:18 and 21), dedicated to excellence (1 Corinthians 10:31), desiring to follow Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:12), and a readiness to share Him with others, having earned the right to be heard (1 Peter 3:15). God is concerned about the person you are and will become through your work and ministry.
Interdependence	God expects you to acknowledge your need for others in discovering and doing work, "depending upon one another" (see 1 Corinthians 12:21, 4-26). Interdependence is needed to get the job done and keep us humble (1 Corinthians 12:21 and 26), to discover and confirm your proper place in work through the counsel and confirmation of significant people in your life--at home, work, school or in your local church--who: know God and His Word, know you well enough to be honest with you, know the world of work, have a proven track record, and are committed to help you.

This outline adapted from "Biblical Principles" workbook of InterCristo's Career Kit (1985) and other resources by Ken Soper, 616.698.3125.

Copyright © 2002-2008 Ken Soper. All rights reserved.