The principles of money

“The harvest is great, but the workers are few…”

Jesus of Nazareth Matthew 9:37

I think Western culture is due for an overhaul of what it means to work.  The perfect vision of work is combining the pursuit of purpose and passion.  Unless you are an entrepreneur you won’t always get to choose your workplace.  The values and culture are set before you arrive.  That you have no control over; what you do have control over is how you do your job and the attitude you bring to the company.

Work is Mandatory

The first truth is you need to work. Sometimes, your work will be hard. Unemployment generates boredom and boredom leads to decay.  I know of a woman who doesn’t work. She spends most of her day, watching television and involving herself in the lives of others.  Because she is not using her talents to solve problems, she often finds herself in trouble and drama. Humans were created to work.  Our brains are wired to innovate and grow. If we spend our time being idle, our bodies and our mind will rot away. 

Work Needs to Have Purpose

What I am seeing in my own company, and others, is a desire to work for an organization whose values are aligned with their own.  Profiting shareholders is no longer the primary goal.  They want their work to have meaning.  They want their work to do good in the world. Is it possible to work for an organization whose values and priorities conflict with your own?

Your Job is to Do Good Work

There is no easy answer for this. There seems to be a lot of tension between employees and employers about how values are being lived in the work companies do.  Recently, my own employer was challenged by us, the employees, about the written vs. actual mission of the company.  Unfortunately, you must separate your ideas from the ideas of the company.  You are working for an entity that has its own goals. Play your position, your role is to cultivate. Like an actual garden, you didn’t create the dirt, seed or water.  You are merely tending to it until it produces fruit.  Two things can be true at the same time.  You can disagree with the ideas of the company and still respect their time. 

Never Sacrifice Yourself

What if your company is asking you to go against your personal beliefs? These are ideas that are at the core of who you are.  You never sacrifice your beliefs for anyone or any organization.  You get a better night’s sleep cuddled with your integrity. Eroding your beliefs for the sake of others creates a person open to immorality and lawlessness. Draw your line in the sand and hold it. That may mean leaving the organization to their own fate.

You Have Options

Working has become a hot button topic in modern times.  While we won’t always work for great companies, there needs to be mutual respect.  While you may not agree with a company’s vision, it is your job as an employee to do honorable work.  If any organization is asking you to compromise your core belief system (stealing, lying, etc.) you have a right to leave.  Trust that there is something better out there for you.  And if not, create it.