5 Minutes Extra on Break

Do we tire of doing good? Do we tire of making sure we are doing the right thing? Is any detail too small to consider? For example: is it stealing to take a few paperclips from work? Is that too trivial to consider? Should we feel bad about taking an extra 5 minutes on break?

A while back, I was talking to a lady about websites. Could a website benefit her company? Most folks today would say, “Absolutely!” Her comment was a bit different. Her answer indicated that her employees spend enough time online or texting already. She did not want to give them another way to goof off. I tried to assure her that with an “information only” site there would be nothing for them to do there, but her mind was made up. Her employees wasting time clipped her desire for growth through technology.

What if a company has 500 people working for it, and they all take an extra 5 minutes on a paid break? In one day that company has paid for 2500 minutes of break time that could have been used for something else. That is almost 42 hours. That is one job. If they one day need to lay someone off, that one job could be yours.

What if those same folks spent an additional 20 minutes online goofing off? That could be 4 more jobs that the company would be able to add if they time were spent in revenue generating activities.

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons most folks are over worked is because of the time wasting that has crept into the work place.

What if you work in a small company? It still adds up. Is wasting time stealing? We may not want to admit it, but when we get paid for our time, and we are wasting it instead of using it for business, what else could we call it?

We should treat our employers well. Someone really does own that company. Someone hired you, and often employers will care enough to keep you there even at their own expense.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:9-10

If you don’t like your job, you may not be willing to give it your all. Your attitude does make a difference. Not only does it matter to the folks around you, but it also matters to the Lord.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Colossians 3:23

LIFE APPLICATION

Key Focal Verse:

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10

Today’s challenge is to watch how you are spending your time at work. You are getting paid to do a job, do it as unto the Lord. Work whole-heartedly. It is not going unnoticed by God.