Why Christians Must Leave Employment Behind for Good

The paradigm of employment which started in the early 1900s is the most dangerous situation for those of us who walk with Jesus Christ. Before moving on, I want to make it clear I don’t hold to the idea employment should be “beneath” us. If you must put food on the table, then do what you must to survive and feed yourself and your family. There is nothing more noble than sacrificing for others.

We have not denied faith if we are faithful to support those who are our blessings in this life. The gratitude which comes from the Father lies in us by thanking Him for getting to do things His way. If employment is all you have now, then don’t fret.

Worry solves nothing. Our Heavenly Father wishes the best for His people, but that takes proactive steps to change our future to align with His vision for our lives.

This will not be a “tickle my ears” type of article. This is a hard truth.

Yes, the truth can be hard sometimes.

But it’s needed.

Employment Steals From Us

People consider being an employee the “safe” choice for people who want security and repeatable results. I see why men and women of faith believe this, though I can’t say I agree with the notion at all. Employment is thievery to the employee.

What do I mean by this?

The most important asset in any person’s life is time, the time to live with the blessings that Jesus has provided us with.

But let me ask you a question. How is spending 40+ hours a week away from your family using your time wisely? It isn’t any wonder to me how many couples feel like they aren’t as close as they should be. Marriage takes work and sacrifice, but if you’re placing the marriage on the sacrificial altar of employment, it means you’ve failed.

Terribly.

To clarify my viewpoint, I’m not saying you shouldn’t work long hours. But why build someone else’s kingdom when you’re doing it? Imagine the team you and your spouse could be if you worked together on achieving noble aspirations. I don’t subscribe to the “cabin fever” theory with a relationship. Since being an employee steals your time, why not make up for it by involving your spouse in your dream? Space is healthy for everyone, but if someone is going to work for most of their allotted time to cause that space, a rift of severance will form between you and your spouse.

My wife is my partner. Spouses should be partners, not ruined by employment.

Employment destroys marriages.

Most extramarital affairs happen in the workplace because a man is working on a dream and solving problems, and on the female end of things, a woman puts on her nicest clothes and goes to work (usually) for a man who is working on his kingdom. It is a recipe for disaster, a disaster we can avoid.

That’s two things employment steals from the believer. Marriage and time. The potential to wreck it all is 98% with the employment paradigm.

Please don’t do it.

And to clarify my point, I’m not saying you aren’t strong enough to avoid temptation. What I am saying is we should be like Joseph and run the other way.

Entrepreneurship Does Not Take More Time

A huge issue believers have with starting a business is the common myth that business ownership takes more time than a traditional job. This myth is true if you’re doing it all wrong. Yes, starting a lawn care business will take just as much if not more time than traditional employment. But if you started a freelance writing business instead, you could work less and make more with a little effort, not to mention almost non-existent overhead costs. I started a freelance writing business and have practically no overhead costs. I didn’t have to buy commercial mowers, trimmers, trucks, gas, etc.

Work smart, work hard, and use the gifts God has given you to succeed. Someone’s gift may well involve cutting grass, so if that’s your calling go all out at it with all your heart, working as unto the LORD. I’m only giving an example of what not to do for a Christian entrepreneur with a specific example. If you have the money and don’t need to go into debt, then lawn mowing may be the right path if that’s your gift. No hostility intended; I promise.

There are freelancers who work 20 hours or less a week, making six figures a year with little trouble. Meanwhile, Joe Employee is slaving away at Evil Cleaning Incorporated for a pittance of pay, and more time stolen to achieve a livable situation in his life. Don’t get me wrong, Joe Employee works hard, supporting his three kids. No shame in that at all.

My point is there is a better way to go about this.

Christian Callings Versus Secular Failings

As Christians, we are to be in this world, but not of its values and methods. I’m sorry to say the world teaches employment as the norm, meaning the wisdom of the Scriptures opposes working for someone else. There were servants in the Bible, but nowhere do we see an admonition to never do better for ourselves and have no ambitions and dreams. Far from it.

Paul was a tentmaker, and if he needed to preach in another city, he didn’t have to file a vacation request two weeks in advance to fulfill his duty to God. God will use all situations to make His providential will happen, but that does not mean we must stay in a losing position. Everyone needs to start somewhere, so if you’re working full-time and supporting your family through employment you have my respect.

But we aren’t supposed to stay employees. God’s perfect will is that His people be about His kingdom business. If that means playing music, writing, or, running a nonprofit, then we as Christians must do those things which we are called to do.

God is our provider. Our Heavenly Father beyond the sky and heavens. He longs to provide for His children. But does He really want you to stay at that job? What gifts or talents has He given you? If you can spend all that time and energy working for someone else, you can do much better working for yourself.

Again, we must do what we have to, but we aren’t to stay there for life. 98% of employees lose. Why are we working to be free when we’re in our 60s? Why not do it God’s way and never retire because our lives will be so full of fulfillment and fun we won’t want to?

This is how we all win. We go for the high-hanging fruit and leave employment behind.

Stop believing the lies.

It doesn’t take more time.

You don’t need a rich father to start a business. Let alone borrow from a bank.

All you need is your gift and a passion to impact this world.

Jesus Christ is our CEO, our pilot, our compass. He wants us to be free to follow the kingdom path He laid out for us long ago.

I’ve learned valuable skills being an employee, so it isn’t all bad to work for others. Learning is great, any way you can receive knowledge. But, perhaps, God allowed you to learn that skill so you could fly higher later.

Leave It All Behind

Leave the employment paradigm behind. God did not mean for us to be cogs in a heartless machine. God meant us to change this world with our gifts, one person at a time.

Don’t think you can’t make an impact. Even changing one person’s life will have a ripple effect that will change others they meet.

And if you’re brave enough to do that, great is your reward in heaven.