One of the oldest formal occupations you could have was being a priest. They spoke of it in common language as wearing the ephod. An ephod was a sleeveless garment they wore to show their occupation. Eli was one of the very early formally employed priests of the ancient Jewish community. Priests and clergy of that time were allowed food from the temple offerings, a dwelling in the temple and were not required to pay taxes. (1 Samuel 2 : 12 – 36). They could plunge a three toothed fork into the boiling pot and whatever came out they could take and eat. Eli appointed his sons to serve as priests as well.

Eli’s sons however had no respect for their job. In order to set aside the best pieces for themselves they took meat before it was put in the pot. They could then prepare and cook the meat in a manner that would suit them. This was totally contrary to their job description. The sons of Eli also slept with the women who served at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. Obviously these young priests had no regard for the status of their job or the responsibilities attached to it. They wasted a good career and messed up their own lives as well as the lives of their descendants as is recorded in the Bible. The two were eventually killed in a battle with the Philistines and their occupation as priests also ended with that because even their descendants were removed from being priests in the house of the Lord.

The job you are doing has been given to you and it is your job. It is nobody else’s job, you are the custodian of that job, so keep it and make the best of it. The wisdom of the Bible tells us clearly: “One who is slack in his work is a brother to the one who destroys” Proverbs 18:9. If you do things halfheartedly it clearly shows you are slack and ruinous in what you do. It is very important that you change your ways and commit yourself to your occupation. If you hate your job and can’t stand your boss find ways to improve your abilities or try to negotiate better conditions but never be lazy or negligent in you work. You will definitely pay a high price for mistakes in connection with your occupation. Professional mistakes are even worse, solicitors stealing trust funds or officials taking bribes are punished severely!

Take for example the life of Elisha’s servant, Gehazi. He once saw an opportunity to embezzle funds from Naaman who was an official from Aram. Naaman was covered with sores because he had a very contagious and incurable illness called leprosy. This illness could cause the loss of fingers and other body parts if not treated but apart from that the social seclusion it brought upon him was severe. Naaman heard about a prophet in Israel who could cure him and came all the way from Aram to see Elisha. Elisha then advised him to dip seven times in the Jordan River which at first annoyed the official but later he did what the prophet said and was healed. Naaman then offered the prophet many valuable gifts including clothes, money and jewels. The prophet Elisha wanted nothing for the miracle which was obviously an act from God. Seeing an opportunity to gain something from this Elisha’s servant Gehasi went to this official secretly and asked him for some of the gifts. The official from Aram gladly gave clothes and other presents to Gehasi, under the impression that Elisha needs it. This act of Gehasi, taking bribes backlashed severely on him and his off-spring. Gehasi acquired the illness of leprosy and lost his job!

Keep your job, be responsible and you can only leave your job if something better is offered to you.

In lifestyle22 we stress the importance of keeping your job