On my way back from church today I was pondering how as Christians we can be engaged in every aspect of life, not just in the Sunday service. We have kept separate the sacred and secular spheres and struggled to introduce our faith into our everyday lives. Fortunately today there is a refreshing move to do away with this dichotomy. Christians are being encouraged to stop seeing the world in dualistic terms. ‘This is my Father’s world’ is a hymn that keeps repeating in my head. God is not only involved in every aspect of His cosmos; He is deeply interested in all we do. Our faith in Jesus needs to affect every aspect, every dimension of our lives. I have often used an illustration to explain what I mean. Let me repeat that example here.
Imagine a Christian baker, working in his shop; kneading the dough, baking the bread and selling his products to his customers. In a world that sees a separation between the sacred life and the secular world [of business] the baker would be expected to witness for Christ in certain suggested ways. He would probably employ Christian staff who would be of a good moral standing. The day would presumably start in prayer, especially asking for the ability to take advantage of the opportunities for witness that may occur during the day.
A Christian witness might be done through providing gospel tracts in each bag with the bread bought by customers. A Christian symbol may even be baked into the bread itself – hopefully prompting customers to ask its meaning! Of course the staff would be encouraged to befriend customers in order to do ‘friendship evangelism’. (This does raise a dilemma for the owner of the shop who does not want his staff spending all their time speaking to customers and neglecting their other duties!) Christian music might play in the background. Of course, ten percent of profits would be given to some ministry or mission organisation. Isn’t this the reason business exists – to support the real work of the Gospel? Countless examples might be quoted as evidence that God has blessed the business that increasingly uses its profits for the support of Christian work in the world.
Many business people have attempted this model and become frustrated with the tensions that are evident. How do I get the staff to work and witness? Is the sole reason for my business to make money to support missions? Is this method of evangelising effective anymore? Is my business just a vehicle for the real work – the work of the gospel?
There is another model; one which does not separate the sacred from the secular sphere. It may even sanctify the secular! I believe it provides for a much more satisfactory integration of the gospel into everyday life.
Imagine if the same baker, instead of seeing his baking as a vehicle for the gospel, saw it as an act of godly creation in itself! The very act of baking bread being the work of God! He is a baker for God! His bakery is not just a business place where attempts are made to evangelise, but a place where as a co-worker with God, he bakes bread. (It reminds me of a carpenter who was God’s son.) The very act of making bread is a divine moment of creation where the baker participates in the creativity of the Father of the universe.
It changes everything! He will need to find the best ingredients possible to create the best bread possible. He will be concerned about the origin and quality of his ingredients. (No dubious additives here!) He will treat his staff in ways befitting a divine enterprise. Salaries will be fair and working conditions will be safe. Even his customers will know that they are getting the best possible product for the best value because the baker, while making a decent living, will be concerned about the customers he serves. He will not be trying to overinflate the cost of his goods. He will be aware of the sacredness of all creation and will try to play his part in being a steward of the earth and its resources. Interesting moral questions will be raised such as; should he use plastic bags and should he use carbon based or electric fires. Of course by reputation for honesty and compassion, he will find many opportunities to share with his clients his life and his faith. Every area of his life and business will be affected by his relationship to God.
Model one to my mind is less effective than model two at allowing God to be an influence in every aspect of our lives. Of course instead of a baker, a person may be a plumber, an accountant, a clerk or any of a myriad other vocations. I do wonder whether a Christian who unites the sacred and secular spheres of their lives would be able to engage in certain businesses; tobacco industry, casinos or even less clear industries that may be exploitative and damaging.
Richard
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