Incorporating Faith in the Workplace (Epilogue)

Several years ago I was speaking with a priest who stated that "being successful is not as important as being faithful". At the time this statement did not mean very much to me since I was just exiting college and entering the workforce. However, it has been numerous years since that memorable conversation and only recently am I starting to truly comprehend the power of those words.

As we travel through life the need for achievement, power and increased compensation often outweighs such ideals as charity and stewardship. I am guilty of this just as much as anyone else. For many years I would work excessively long hours not because I had to but because I was driven by material wealth and self satisfaction. This attitude is prevalent in today's society as many of us aspire to be the next Donald Trump or Bill Gates. By no means am I against people being ambitious or aspiring to be successful. As a matter of fact it is a quality that I wish more people had. However, I believe we should find a sustainable balance between career goals and religious faith. Regardless of being Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, or Jewish I believe everyone has the ability to implement their faith within the workplace. Personally as a Christian I always strive to incorporate the concepts of generosity and compassion into the healthcare accounting profession. I believe I am not alone when I state the importance of "treating others as you would like them to treat you". As I have matured and evolved I have realized that financial achievement is important but it should not be the sole motivating factor. I believe that a healthy balance of hard work and ethical decision making combined with religious beliefs will result in both happiness and success.

One easy way to incorporate ones faith into the workforce is to simply be friendly and kind. The simple act of complementing a co-worker on their appearance or praising a colleague for their efforts can improve someone's entire day. Effortless tasks like opening the door for others or saying 'hello' to everyone you encounter may seem trivial but these actions have lasting results. Performing random acts of praise, generosity and kindness reiterate what Jesus stated in the Gospel of John 13:34 "Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another".

Another constructive approach to improve the workplace is to refrain from spreading the detrimental action of gossip. All of us have at one time been guilty of spreading negative information to make ourselves feel or look better. Jealousy and envy permeate all office environments especially when promotions and bonuses are at stake. Despite the temptation to give in to these damaging habits we must resist both external and internal influences. It is easy to be envious and jealous of someone if they have achieved more than we have. As a Christian I applaud those who are rewarded and I try my best not to harbor any judgments. If others choose to spread gossip then let them but do not join in their actions. The best way to eliminate gossip is to ignore it. Co-workers will see you as an example and hopefully refrain from their slanderous actions. Gossip is carried through various informal communication channels and its distribution can be minimized if employees simply refuse to pay attention to those who spread it.

A third method of incorporating ones spiritual beliefs into one's job is to use the gift of forgiveness. Regardless of our current stature each of us at one time have been publicly ostracized or been the recipient of a cruel joke. By nature we are hurt and offended by these actions. We sometimes envision wounding those that have insulted us so we can equalize the harm they have inflicted. This reaction is the easy way to respond to verbal abuse and it often results in negative consequences. I believe the best action is to privately confront the co-worker and explain to him/her how you have been offended using polite words. Usually people are very responsive when they are approached privately and the issue is discussed in a logical and professional manner. If this method does not resolve the conflict then a meeting with a supervisor should be scheduled. As a Christian I try not to harbor any ill feelings against those that have damaged my psyche. It may be very difficult to forget someone's actions but we must forgive them. It takes strength and courage to let an offense go and our true faith demands it. However, the act of forgiveness does not require reconciliation. It takes just one person to forgive but two are needed for reconciliation. The act of forgiveness is driven by love but it does not imply that we are responsible to fix a broken relationship. As a Christian I am bound to explore the possibility of reconciliation but it may not always occur. I believe Matthew 6:14 states it best "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses".

In conclusion, I believe God wants us to succeed in life by using all of the gifts he provided us and we must do so by incorporating the appropriate themes. At times we may find ourselves solely driven by financial rewards and we may be tempted to act in unethical and unscrupulous ways. It is during these periods that we should rely on our spiritual beliefs for guidance. By simply being kindhearted to those around us and refraining from gossip we can improve our workplace while forgiving others brings us closer to God. Despite the lure of wealth and self satisfaction we must always remember that these benefits are temporary while the gift of salvation is eternal.