What motivates you to work?

What motivates you to work?

Believe it or not, for most of us, the #1 motivator for getting up and out the door each day is FEAR.

Fear of getting fired. 

Fear of getting evicted if the rent isn't paid. 

Fear of freezing if the electricity is cut-off. 

Fear of starving if you can't afford groceries. 

Fear of living on the streets.

Hebrews 2:14-16 tells us why Jesus came. "Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could He die, and only by dying could He break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could He set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying."

There it is; most humans are in bondage to the fear of dying and it's that fear that gets us out the door every day. What a bondage! What a gun-to-the-head existence.

When Jesus instructed His grieving disciples to cast their net on the other side of the boat, they were using all the same skills and expertise they'd always used. After a morning of catching nothing, their simple act of obedience brought in a huge catch that nearly tore their nets. 

So, what changed? Only the motivation of their hearts, that's all. With that in mind, what could motivate millions of Christians to go to work each day and maximize their impact for the Kingdom's sake, literally turning communities upside-down? Simply change the motivation from one of fear to one of faith. 

Go to work with a Kingdom agenda.

Clock-in knowing that Christ lives in you and anticipate those daily Divine appointments where you can speak an encouraging word, pray for (or with) a coworker, start a prayer group, or lend a listening ear to a hurting member of the team.

Show up looking for an opportunity to serve. You may have a job description already but look for that extra "thing" you could do that will be meaningful to someone else. A birthday, an anniversary, an award, a new baby, an engagement... you get the idea. We spend up to 70% of our lives there. Make it count! 

I recently spoke with a woman whose daughter died during the holidays 45 years ago. As a result, she detested the holiday season. Last Christmas, after a healing encounter with God, she put up a Christmas tree for the first time in all those years! She's a changed person now, but Christians came and went for 45 years without helping her while she suffered silently. She told me she's now considering taking a course on grief counseling. 

Arrive early, leave late and work hard in between. Guess who's likely to get promoted for doing so? Remember, no matter who signs your checks, your REAL boss is a Jewish carpenter named Jesus.

1 Corinthians 10:31: "...whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

If you or your Christian group could use an encouraging message on Faith at Work, let's talk! Heck, I've even shared this message by phone a time or two!

Every blessing,

Michael Tummillo

Founder, The Church @ Work (TCAW)