For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. (II Corinthians 10:3,4 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Use God’s Tools
I worked at a small electro-plating factory. Our boss believed that while our goal WAS to produce quality products, we needed to produce using righteous methods.
Who would have thought that electro-plating had righteous methods?
But it did. Competing factories used shortcuts in purchasing chemicals, production line standards, and employee relationships. Those competing factories could often enter a lower bid than our factory. But our boss stood firm.
He taught me that results are not the only measuring stick of a ‘good’ company. Methodology matters, too. Righteous methodology is not always easy to determine, let alone manifest. But careful Biblical thinking will lead us to honesty in purchasing resources, doing all things to the best of our ability, and loving relationships with customers, suppliers, and employees.
Paul was not primarily writing about electro-plating factories. But he was pointing out that living as Christians involves more than being Biblically goal-oriented. We have the opportunity to also be Biblically process-oriented.
Satan’s tools often produce successful results. Lying can give us what we want. Spreading rumors can make us momentarily popular. Shaving time off hourly work can give us rest and relaxation. But those aren’t God’s tools.
Honesty might hurt financially, but God enjoys our honesty. Speaking only lovely things might not be always fun, but God enjoys our careful use of words. Working as we’re paid to work might make us tired, but God enjoys our honest stewardship of minutes, as well as hours.
Cutting corners and taking shortcuts are usually the result of fear. We fear unsatisfactory results more than we desire to honor God. We fear financial difficulty more than we desire to honor God. We fear gaining an odd reputation more than we desire to honor God.
But honoring God abolishes the need for those fears.
Fear not, then use God’s tools.