Problems at work

Hello and thank you for reading.

Recently at work my boss has asked me to pick up a Sunday shift. I tried to politely refuse by citing that I have to go to church but he said that we all have to take turns working on Sunday. I pulled out my pocket bible and showed him the following
Exodus 35:2:
"For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on it must be put to death."

His face got a ghostly pale color and he decided to let me off on Sunday after all. Still I was taught my whole life to follow the good book to the letter. Yet this verse clearly violates the ten commandments... what should be done?

FourthCubix, I'm not sure what you meant by your last sentence. The Sabbath is Saturday, not Sunday. Nine of the ten commandments are re-stated in some form in the New Testament.

Hebrews tells us, however, that Jesus is our Sabbath. We are no longer under the Sabbath Law. I might add, incidentally, that while the Bible does refer to Sunday as the Lord's Day, it nowhere makes Sunday a special day.

It's part of the Law of the Old Covenent so it does not apply to Christians anymore as it has been superseded by the New Covenent.

We are not suppose to stone people for sinning either.

New Covenant, yes. Remember, as Jesus said .. who among you has not sinned, let him cast the first stone.

We practice forgiveness as Christians, we acknowledge our own imperfection.

If your boss is telling the truth when he says he expects all employees to work Sunday shifts now and then, you have no business asking to be excused. (If you called 911 on a Sunday, would you want to be told that all the cops, firefighters and EMTs had the day off? Should the sailors and soldiers at Pearl Harbor have not fired back because it was Sunday?)

Plenty of Christians work Sundays and, so long as they are not singled out to do so, it's entirely fair. If Sundays off are that important to you, check out Hobby Lobby, Chick-a-fils, or one of the other firms that closes that day so all its employees have a chance to worship.

Time for me to be more fundamentalist than some of my fundy friends.

If you have a conviction that you ought not to work on Sunday, well, then you ought not to work on Sunday, and should be in church. And as a matter of federal law, you may claim exemption from working Sunday due to religion. If that's how you feel about it, you're within your rights.

I agree that we are no longer under the Law of Moses, and if we were, Saturday is the Sabbath, not Sunday. But Christians have been observing Sunday as the Lord's Day for a couple thousand years now... and I don't think it's wrong. If for no other reason, I don't think Jesus would allow His church to fall that far into error for that long.

Personally, I have no problem with going to church on Saturday night if need be, or on Sunday evening (which is normally what I do). For a Saturday night service, I'd have to go to a different church, but I know a good one in town that has a Saturday night service. I also know one that has a Wednesday noon service.

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Yes I worked for about eight years on eight to four shift with Fridays and Saturdays off. I went to church on Sunday evening. I hardly ever missed a service but I do understand Your position I don't know if You worked in an essential service oriented position that required You to work at odd hours or odd days off . but if You weren't in such a job then I don't see the trouble Even If Your company or boss had to catch up on back logs.

I did have another choice back then I could have Quit but I don't think that was the right thing to do with Five children and a mortgage and a car payment do You? God Bless You Fourth Cubix, in all that You do and may Gods blessings be emitted from You to others. amen...Dave

That would be it.. I know I have encountered the 'proper thing to do' question in my own life.. in areas that scripture left a little bit fuzzy.. and scripture does say (somewhere, for sure but not sure where at this moment) but there are things that are not defined, that we are free to choose.. BUT if it bothers your heart, to you it is sinful.

Also consider this.. perhaps the Lord had reason for wanting you to be at your church on a particular Sunday morning.. causing you to feel this way.. it is possible.. maybe the pastor had a word especially for you.. .. so yes, I go with the heart felt conviction thing in this matter too.

I would not make it a religious argument with the boss though.. I would simply say 'Personal reasons'.

Sunday Service.

I am a restaurant manager and I work 3pm - 12am almost every sunday.
I attend church with my family in the morning.

Here is a thought. What impact can you have on the people around you by alienating yourself?

If you were hired in with the knowledge that you would be off on Sunday that is one thing. If you were hired and whatever your agreement is for hours worked is what you should follow.

Here we are talking more about your role as a christian in a business enviroment.
I tell you that if I asked my staff what day they would prefer off 99% of them would say Sunday. It would not matter if they went to church or not. For a lot of people this is a day of rest or a family day or to watch football.

So ask yourself. As a christian person in the workforce- how does this affect your witness to your boss and peers? Many people have the assumption that christians are better than everyone else. How would this also affect working relationships?
I would look for a creative way in which you may be of service to your boss.
When I hire, I require everyone to be available for at least one shift on sunday. But our employees know this upfront.

Edouard.
May God guide your decision and work relationships.
Last question? Is your boss or other co-workers christian? would they also value sunday in the same manner as you?

I well I guess For one thing If People Know their Hours and They know that Sunday will be one of the days that they will be working each week , well that is their decision and they still have opportunity to worship at other times when they are Off duty. I believe that the Lord will Provide a way For them to be in fellowship with other believers .


There are a few other ways but that would never happen such as those who are employed in essential services , They have all been mentioned in earlier threads.Society would grind to almost a standstill if these rules of NO WORK ON SUNDAY were imposed. I feel that if a person In any of those positions would have opportunity to Worship with the Guidance of His Holy Spirit.

And as For Yourself Edouard , There are ways to witness to Your Employees and You can gain great respect By understanding if any Voice their displeasure at working on Sundays. You may have already come across this situation, But the holy Spirit will offer the Correct words to Offer those individuals.....After all We Must be employed , We need income... and I Know that the Lord understands this . He Himself had been accused of working the Sabbath When He and His Disciples were seen harvesting heads of grain....Matthew 12:1-8 His Goodness ind His Mercy endureth forever ..Amen... Dave