Steve introduces the first concept:

Instrumental Value of Work

This means:

Your work matters for eternity because you can leverage it to share the gospel with those you work with.

This is a common and widely accepted view.

And it’s true.

Your workplace can be a place where:

• You share your faith

• You influence others

• You point people toward Christ

But here’s the issue…

Where This View Falls Short

If this is the only way you define the value of your work, it creates real tension.

1. Many Workplaces Are Not Open to the Gospel

Work environments can sometimes be:

• Resistant to faith conversations

• Hostile to Christian expression

• Structured in ways that limit open dialogue

Steve shares a real example of an employee leaving over the inclusion of Christian music in the workplace.

This highlights a reality many believers face:

You don’t always control the environment.

2. Most of Your Time Is Spent Doing Your Job

Let’s be honest.

Even if you’re intentional about sharing your faith:

• The majority of your time is spent completing tasks

• Delivering results

• Fulfilling responsibilities

In fact:

• Likely 98% of your time is spent doing your job

Not actively sharing the gospel.

The Result: Discouragement

When the instrumental view is all you have, it can lead to thoughts like:

• “I’m not doing enough for God”

• “I’m not sharing my faith enough”

• “My work doesn’t really matter unless I’m evangelizing”

Steve shares a powerful example of a business leader who spent decades building a company and making an impact—yet still felt like he could have done more.

That kind of discouragement is common.

But it’s also unnecessary.

Here’s the encouragement:

Even when you’re not actively sharing the gospel…

Your work still has value.

Think about what your work produces when done according to God’s principles:

• Order instead of chaos

• Integrity in decisions

• Consistency in leadership

• A healthy environment for others

Steve describes this as creating:

“A fragrance of the gospel within the business itself.”

That matters.

It shapes:

• The culture of your workplace

• The experience of your team

• The opportunities others may have to share their faith

And importantly:

It reflects God in ways that go beyond words.

This leads to a deeper idea:

Intrinsic Value of Work

This means:

Your work matters for eternity even when you're not leveraging it to share the gospel.

Let that redefine everything.

It means:

• Your work has value in and of itself

• It’s not just a tool—it’s part of your calling

• It matters even when no one else sees it
  
  

If we don’t understand this correctly, several things happen:

• We become confused about the importance of work

• We develop false views of work

• Our faith can feel disconnected from daily life

• Our growth as believers can slow down

Steve emphasizes that this issue is not theoretical.

He has seen believers struggle with this:

• Across industries

• Across cultures

• Across decades of experience

And the solution starts with one realization:

The sacred vs. secular divide must be settled.

Steve shares part of his own journey.

In 1996:

• He and his wife left their careers

• Packed up their family

• Stepped into entrepreneurship

The original motivation was based on the instrumental value of work:

• Build a business

• Use it to impact people for the gospel

And that did happen.

But something unexpected happened along the way.

The Deeper Transformation

Through:

• Risk

• Struggle

• Perseverance

• Challenges

He realized something powerful:

God was working on him through the work itself.

Not just through outcomes.

Not just through evangelism.

But through the process of working.

One of the most powerful insights from this episode is this:

“My work discipled me first.”

Think about that.

Your work is not just something you do.

It’s something that:

• Forms your character

• Builds your perseverance

• Strengthens your faith

It shapes:

• How you think

• How you respond to challenges

• How you depend on God

If you’ve ever felt:

• Frustrated in your job

• Disconnected from purpose

• Unsure how your work fits into your faith

This perspective changes everything.

Here’s what you can take away:

• Your work is not separate from your faith

• Your work is not “less spiritual” than ministry

• Your work is not meaningless

Instead:

• Your work is sacred

• Your work matters to God

• Your work has eternal significance

Even when:

• You’re not sharing the gospel directly

• You’re just doing your daily tasks

• No one notices what you’re doing
  
  

This episode sets the stage for a deeper conversation.

Steve introduces a concept that will be expanded in the next episode:

• The First Commission

• The Great Commission

And how both relate to your work.

This next step will further explain:

• How your work fits into God’s larger plan

• Why your role in the marketplace matters

• How purpose and mission come together
  
  
  

Don’t be discouraged.

Don’t underestimate what you do every day.

And don’t believe the lie that your work doesn’t matter unless it looks like ministry.

Because the truth is:

Your work matters—right where you are.

Watch full episode on YT - https://youtu.be/141IUYuihl4

Listen to full episode on itunes/spotify - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/ibamtoday/episodes/EP-90-Why-Your-Job-Has-Eternal-Value-Even-If-It-Doesnt-Feel-Like-It--Part-1-e3h5o81

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