Employers are plagued with workers who care little about reasonable production goals and the company’s welfare and interests. Faced with widespread indifference toward responsibilities and duties, the Christian needs to guard against being infected with such an apathetic spirit.

To avoid yielding to apathy, we do well to keep in mind the following inspired counsel: “Whatever you are doing, work at it whole-souled as to Jehovah, and not to men, for you know that it is from Jehovah you will receive the due reward of the inheritance.” (Colossians 3:23, 24) When we are genuinely concerned about pleasing our Creator and his Son, this will be reflected in our doing quality work and not wasting time.

Balance in Secular Work

In secular work, too, there is a need for balance. It is essential for God’s servants to work in order to support themselves and their loved ones, to “make honest provision, not only in the sight of Jehovah, but also in the sight of men.” (2 Corinthians 8:21) By doing honest work, the Christian can support his efforts to help others spiritually and materially. When secular work places so many demands on him that he has little time and energy left for providing others with spiritual comfort, he wisely adjusts his affairs.

It is indeed encouraging to see individuals limit their secular work to have more time for vital spiritual activities. For example, in one family, the two daughters split a full-time job in an office, each working two and a half days a week instead of five. This enabled each of them to devote about 100 hours a month in efforts to help people in their community to gain Bible knowledge.