Proof You Are God’s Employee!

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your bodyand in your spirit, which are God’s. 2 Corinthians 6:19-20

Okay, okay, so you’ve seen this scripture but it really doesn’t have any practical meaning for you.  You know that Jesus paid the price that covers ALL your sins—past, present, and future—and you believe you are headed to Heaven one day.  But, beyond that, this verse really doesn’t impact you.  It certainly doesn’t affect the way you view work or “earn a living,” does it?

               Actually, if you took this verse seriously you would understand that you are a slave first and foremost.  God paid for you with the life of His own Son and that means He can do with you whatever He chooses.  He has the power, authority and legal right to do just that.  The over-the-top, amazing thing is that chose to adopt you instead of using you as a slave!  That’s right; you’re now His legal heir (joint heir with Jesus) and deeply beloved child.  That explains your legal status, your family status, and your Kingdom citizenship but I want to focus on your employment status.  It’s critically important for you to know Who you really work for and what that means in practical, everyday terms.

               So to help with this I am going to employ the help of the Internal Revenue Service of the United States.  You’re excited now, aren’t you?  For purposes of taxation liabilities, the IRS needed to clarify which workers were actually legal employees and which were independent contractors. So they came up with three categories of criteria that can be used as the “plumb line” for making that determination.  I now invite you to compare yourself to these criteria and see if you aren’t persuaded that God Almighty is your Employer.  I’ll provide a few scriptures to help with your decision.

1.      Behavioral Control:

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” John 13:14-15

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

You are an employee if—

  • you are subject to instructions about where, when and how to work.
  • you have been, or may be, trained to perform services in a particular manner.

You are not an employee if—

  • you decide where you will show up, how long and how hard you will work, and who you will work for
  • you have no particular skills, abilities or gifts; you can do anything you want to do

2.      Financial Control:

“for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Acts 17:28.

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. Psalm 24:1

You are an employee if—

  • you use facilities that have been “paid for” and provided by the employer.
  • the greatest part of your pay comes from the employer.

You are not an employee if—

  • you are providing your own facilities (Right!  You created your own planet!)
  • lots of sources are producing your income streams.

3.      Type of Relationship:

“I will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you.”  Genesis 17:7

You are an employee if—

  • you have a written contract that defines the relationship.
  • you receive benefits provided by the employer
  • the employment relationship is to continue indefinitely
  • you are essential to the work of the employer, providing a key aspect of the “business.”

You are not an employee if—

  • there is nothing in writing to define your contract or covenant
  • you are on your own to provide rest and recreation, education, etc.
  • there is nothing unique about you; the employer could replace you with another without a problem.

Are you God’s employee?  If so, you might want to stop behaving as if you’re an independent contractor!  Since God is continuing to cover you with His “contract” and provisions, you can safely assume that your job search is His assignment for you at this time. You are not unemployed or out of work. I promise you God has definite plans for this time in your life—that’s why you’re still out of the marketplace.  Find out what He wants you to learn and do it right now while you have the opportunity. And know this, God doesn’t need any payroll department to take care of you.  If He provided daily manna and water to millions of Israelites in a desert for 40 years He can and will take care of you and yours!  Just focus on His love and majesty and banish fear from your thoughts. Then you will finally see clearly the amazing One who has been providing for you all along.    

Isn’t it time you started checking in with your Boss about how to conduct your job search to learn where to look for your next position? And, if you would like to be abundantly well paid, work with excellence and try to collect all five of the blessings promised in the Employed for Life book. Most of all, take the time to realize how highly favored you are!  Bless the day He hired you!