Excellence in the workplace is Worship

Pat Gelsinger reminds us that excellence in the workplace is high worship. God gives us gifts to use in our vocation that we can either ignore or embrace — and the difference matters not just to us, but to all those whom He planned to be beneficiaries of it.

video transcript

Pat Gelsinger did a podcast and Bible study this week, where he talked about “Excellence in the workplace as a high form of worship.”  If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Pat used to be the CEO of Intel and VMware.

The session started with financial stewardship … which evolved into philanthropy and giving back … which then broached the idea that “It is OK to thrive in the workplace.” Pat reminded us that Christians are called to do every task as if serving the Lord — not just earthly managers.

What hit me was being reminded that God gives each of us gifts, abilities, and opportunities — typically because He has a plan for each of us, and that plan requires resources or preparation; so, He gives them to us. Whatever gifts we have, we can either:

Choose to ignore or waste them — which is quite literally a “no thank you” to what our creator gifted (which is kind of rude, crazy, or both)

… OR …

we can choose to embrace and maximize those gifts and opportunities.

If those gifts cause us to prosper in the workplace, but we’re doing so with a spirit of gratefulness and seeking God’s plan, then that prosperity is likely meant to either expand our opportunities to serve others (which often looks like job promotions) or provide us with resources to help others (financially or otherwise).  Either way, His purposes are achieved by first helping us to thrive … so that we can bless others in His name.

And hey, the Bible isn’t the only place that teaches this. Just ask Uncle Ben, when he tells Peter Parker that “With great power, comes great responsibility.” Power here can mean influence and resources … and responsibility certainly implies an obligation to serve others.

I was sharing some of these reflections with a brother of mine, and he said “It’s just like the talents, right? To whom much is given, much is expected.”

These last few months have given me a lot more clarity around how He equipped me for things I hadn’t planned for or knew that I wanted … and how His plan was better for me. And that has been surreal.

So yeah, if we recognize where our gifts come from … and we understand that everything we do should be for a greater purpose beyond ourselves … then thriving in the workplace is the embracing of both our opportunities and our obligations. If the Father in Heaven is pleased with that, then it is worship.

See you next Monday.

*COL 3:23-24 / MATT 25:14-30*