Contentment in the Workplace is something that we all strive for. Are we able to be content right where we are? And how can that be done? Or do we need to look for a similar job in another company? Or should we change career paths? These are all things that I have pondered as I have sought contentment in my work over the years.
Let’s dive in and learn more about these 4 ways of having contentment in the workplace.
4 Ways to have Contentment in the Workplace
1. Contentment in the Workplace Now
Rather than looking for something new, we can decide to have contentment right now where we are. God supplied the current job we have and that is a blessing especially when there are so many other people without work. God has said He will provide for our needs.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 ESV
Learning Contentment
We can actually teach ourselves to be content. Paul had faced so many situations where he had plenty of food or had very little. Or he was in prison or being beaten for his faith.
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Philippians 4:11 ESV
The learning came from knowing that God would provide and that He is the giver of all good things (James 1:17 ESV). As we have seen God provide in our lives, in every situation, we can be content where we are. For example, we may not have the ideal car we want but we have transportation to get to work, whatever the mode it is.
Be Thankful always
We are called to be thankful in ALL circumstances. There are things to be thankful for in every situation. Thankfulness breeds contentment because the focus is on what is positive in the circumstances instead of the negative. This is how we can be content where we are.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV
God Provides
The writer of the book of Hebrews spoke about keeping our lives free from the love of money. If we keep obsessing about having more money, then money can become our god. Matthew tells us that, “you cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24 ESV). We know that God will provide for our needs so we should be content with what we have.
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5 ESV
There is nothing wrong with being rewarded for your hard work. When you receive a raise, thank God for the extra money in your paycheck.
You may be content but the pay doesn’t cut it
The pay you receive may not be enough to make ends meet. If that is true, then it won’t hurt to start looking around while you are still employed. That way you have the money to pay as many of your bills as you can and then do your job search on the side.
Jumping the ship when it isn’t sinking isn’t being wise – it can be foolish. You will have less money to figure out how to pay your bills with and it will cause more worry. Sit tight, do your best, and wait for the right opportunity.
2. Doing “What You Do” for God
While we are in this job, we need to do our best. Not for your boss or yourself, but for God. We do our work well to please God. He rewards us with an eternity in heaven for serving Him and Jesus.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24 ESV
The hardest part of this verse is doing it from your heart and not your head. I told myself over and over again that I was doing the work to serve God. But deep down, I was really doing it to get ahead and to get promoted. I was too concerned about my timeline in getting things done rather than truly serving God. I needed to serve Him whole-heartedly, not half-heartedly.
Serve Him with your whole heart – that is where you will find contentment. And if God chooses to promote you, it will happen.
3. Reaping a Harvest & Contentment in the Workplace
When a farmer or gardener works hard on his field or plot of land, he or she tends it well. They ensure the time of year is right to plant, the soil is properly prepped, plants the crop, waters it, and fertilizes it. There is long tedious work that goes into planting and tending land or a garden. It includes waiting and a whole lot of patience!
Once the crops are ready to be harvested, the work is labor-intensive and long hours are put in. For the farmer, there is a time crunch to complete it before the snow falls on the field.
Yet once the harvest is in, the food is put on the table and the stomach is satisfied. The hard work pays off!
From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.
Proverbs 12:14 ESV
Hard work yields Satisfaction
Similarly, when having small or big wins at work, there is satisfaction in what you produce.
We are relieved that the burden is no longer on our shoulders. Leadership is excited to have this new widget, service, or product for the customer. And the customer is delighted by our achievement. It is a win for everyone! This makes us happy that we have made a difference in the work we do for the company and its mission.
There may even be a celebration after the project is over and congratulations are given all around. The hard work is done and the satisfaction comes back to you to enjoy.
There is nothing wrong with receiving praise for a job well done. The catch is what you do with the praise. Do you praise God for the ability He gave you to make this happen or do you let it go to your head? Be careful as pride can bring disgrace to you. When we stay humble, we are wise.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2 ESV
Another type of Harvest at Work
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention another type of harvest that we as believers have at work. Unless you work for a Christian organization and everyone there believes as you do, there are many souls there who need to hear the Truth of the Gospel. Jesus said we need to look around us and see this as an opportunity – a field that is ready for harvest.
Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.
John 4:35 ESV
The Greek for white is ‘dead white’ and means the color of the grain was an indication that it was ripe and ready to be harvested.
We need to look around and listen to our co-workers. They have needs, concerns, and hurts. We can offer to pray for them, give them assistance with the work we do to show that we care for them. And listen to them. There may be an opportunity to share what Jesus has done for you and how they can have Him in their lives.
If you don’t know Jesus or have a personal relationship with Him, you can go to this page on our site and learn more.
Afraid to Share the Gospel? Here’s help!
Sharing God’s truth of the gospel may be hard for you. I get it. Even though I went to seminary and have volunteered for years in the church, I have fear about sharing God with others too. This book, Share Jesus Without Fear by William Fay and Linda Evans Shepherd is an easy read and great for sharing Jesus with others. The tools that he provides are insightful and so helpful. And this resource is an aid to alleviate your fears with sharing the Gospel.
4. Workplace Contentment in God’s Will
I have the most contentment in my work when I am doing God’s Will. This is when I am doing work that God has given or pressed upon me to do.
This comes from pouring yourself into delighting God. What is it that He wants you to do? Spend time in His Word and listen for His whisper of the direction He wants you to take.
Doing what He wants us to do and following the laws in His Word becomes our delight.
I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight.
Psalm 119:174 ESV
When we delight in Him, we obey His laws which pour out of the love we have for Him. Desiring to please Him with our lives is doing His Will. His Word fills up our soul and the more we soak it in, the more we want to do what pleases Him.
I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.
Psalm 40:8 ESV
As a result of this delighting in Him, He blesses us with the desires He has put on our hearts. His desires become our desires. Therefore, He delights in giving them to us.
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 ESV
Not sure if your work is within God’s Will?
If you aren’t sure if the work you do each day is within God’s Will, do some soul searching. Make a list of all the benefits of your current job and the things that are not good about it.
Ask God if you are where He wants you to be. If your work is doing something that is contrary to God’s Word, that is a sure indication that this job is one that is not within God’s Will for you.
Should you come to the conclusion that you need to move on, don’t quit tomorrow. Get your resume together or start filling out applications at other companies. Then pray about each one. God will lead you to the exact job for you.
If you have more questions about God’s Will. You can find out the meaning of God’s Will in this post and about the types of God’s Will as well.
Summary: Contentment in the Workplace
Contentment is possible. We can choose to be content and teach ourselves to be in content right where we are. Our work can be done to please the Lord instead of looking for the praise of men. Reaping a harvest of contentment can happen when we work hard and receive the benefits of our hard work. And lastly, we can have contentment when we are doing work that is God’s Will for us to do. Yes – contentment at work is possible!
Resource Library
Check out the bookmarks, Bible verse cards, and Bible reading plans in the resource library. Click on the Resource Library link and head to the Contentment section.
