Written by: gfesadmin on January 17, 2013

Taking Care of Business

Question: How are we preparing our youth for the world of work? Do they have the theological grounding as they encounter counterfeit values to stay true to Christian convictions?

A sense of calling motivated early western Christian’s values of work. That vocational framework has deteriorated to merely getting a job to make money to live. This sense of calling may be apparent in some youth, but many are aimless and uncertain. Even those who feel a need to have a calling may not know why. But one thing of which we may not be aware is the history behind our work. Max Weber in a classic book The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism analyzes what gave us the capitalistic society that we now have. He calls medieval systems of economy “economic traditionalism”. They did not have the internal organizational way of life of capitalism. That was inherited from religious motivations coming from a sense of calling. A sense of calling came out of the theological development from Martin Luther to Calvin and the Puritans. The purpose of life was to bring God glory by contributing to the common good. There was a shift in Christian thinking from living for the world to come to a “this-world” orientation. To prosper, as one worked, was a contribution to God’s kingdom here on earth.

But today’s capitalism is stripped of its religious drive. What was an economy that was enough to “keep a present way of life” shifted to a economy to earn more and even as much as one could. This was the duty of every man. This value was questioned during the social upheaval of the 1960s. The song title “Taking Care of Business” by Bachmann Turner Overdrive typifies the attitude. The lyrics state that this band, albeit any person, inclined musically can work at nothing all day. It was a temporary rejection of control by the work ethic of the 9-5 committed workday. But even the desire to work at music was embedded in the drive for achieving more. Today the protestant work ethic without the values that upheld it is still alive and but perhaps not so well.

One huge concern of young adults is how they will find their way in this present economy. What doesn’t seem apparent is what the Christian values does one bring to work. But we seem to be working harder and enjoying life less. There is a tension between working harder to get ahead and satisfaction in life.

To take care of business is a spiritual condition. We have confused values of the market for values of worth and dignity. To return to a sense of God’s purpose behind our efforts to make a living can instill a renewed reason for work. We work for the glory of God, yes. But productivity and profit are not either evil or God ordained. We are to fulfill our purpose to God, the people we are responsible to and the well being of our community.

A renewed sense of calling is needed for young adults. But it needs to be one that focuses on serving others and not the relentless pursuit of acquisition.

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