I have enjoyed reading your articles and “Ask a Bible Teacher” section on your web site. I do have a question regarding an issue that I’ve been struggling with regarding loyalty to one’s employer from a Biblical perspective.
I place a high value on quality workmanship and have developed a reputation among our clients for doing good quality work. In our shop however, there is a lot of pressure to get things done very quickly.
Employer/employee relations are not good. The culture within the company breeds apathy. Employee retention has been a chronic problem within the company for years. Recently there has been a rash of resignations.
As a Christian, I am torn between loyalty to my current employer and my desire for a more healthy work environment. I’m too close to the situation to be objective. Any feedback you could provide regarding a Biblical perspective on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
I am going to assume that God did not specifically call you to walk alongside your employer, but that you took the job on a quid-pro-quo basis, exchanging your skills and experience for a pay check. And if you’re an “at-will” employee, rather than one who has agreed to a time-specific contract, both you and your employer have the unilateral right to terminate your arrangement at any time for any reason or no reason.
If I understand correctly, you feel bad about leaving him in the lurch even though you don’t feel like he’s met your expectations as an employer. You like the work but not the work ethic.
Have you talked with him about this? Is he a believer who would respond to the solution Matt. 18:15-17 offers? Maybe he doesn’t realize what the problem is. Or maybe you’ll discover that it’s a bigger concern to you than to him.
If you feel like you’ve exhausted all your options for negotiating a mutually favorable outcome, then in my opinion you’re free to seek employment elsewhere.