Avoiding work on the Sabbath

[ImperialJohn]

I just wondered what difficulties you have encountered in avoiding doing any work on the Sabbath?

I have a tough situation arising at work at the moment. Last year I made a "request" for flexible working which they approved and allowed me to finish at midday on Fridays over the winter so I could keep Sabbath. It meant a reduction in hours and pay but that wasn't any problem as long as I am keeping the 4th commandment.

I use the word "request" above and it's what I put when I ask for this so they can understand it, but for me its not really a request or something I can compromise on in any way due to where I live, the distance to work and allowing for any unseen things such as snow and ice delaying me getting home or a major accident etc. I am really informing them that I can't work between those times and seeing if they can offer a solution.

Unfortunately this year even though I have done the "request" again in the middle of June I haven't received any sort of official response even though they are meant to respond in 28 days at least according to the legislation concerned with flexible working requests.

My manager did casually mention something about "allowing" me to go at 3pm each Friday which would fall within the normal working hours and flexi time but unfortunately that wouldn't be any good to me as there is a strong liklihood I woudln't always get home in time before sunset because of the distance I travel to work and any unforseen things it just wouldn't work out.

I think that this year they don't want to allow this because they want to keep me working but they have just not made the decision one way or the other.

At the moment the way things are I am going to have to give in my notice and leave as it's more important for me to obey G-d than to the company I work for. This will leave me without a job and in a difficult situation financially as I could only survive for a short period of time without a job.

What do you think is the ideal job role for a Sabbath keeper? Ultimately will we have to become self employed with our own business so that we can keep Sabbath and obey G-d? If I do have to give my noice in then I am hoping there will be some opportunities available over Winter or I can at least find some part time work or a job share position were I don't have to work on the Sabbath.

As a Sabbatarian have you encountered any similar problems and what would you do in my shoes?
John

 

[Servant of the Lord]

I've had my share of difficulties with it, but God calls us to seek his kingdom first and everything else would be added unto us. Here's my quick story:

I've been a college graduate and searching for work for about ~ 3 months now. I've had to turn down good job offers because I am not willing to work on Saturday. And I've been very upfront about the reasons for this with the potential employers. For my latest interview the company was really interested in me, but same story, they wanted Saturday flexibility. I offered to work on Sundays to make up for Saturday, and they said "we'll think about it." I thanked them, walked out, and assumed I'd never hear from them again.

Fast forward to today, the owner calls me up on a Sunday and asks me If I'd like the job.. I was pretty shocked. The catch was I would have be willing to work on call for Sundays, which of course I'm totally cool with. Not only that, but the weeks that I work on Sundays I will get Fridays off..bonus!

Moral of the story for me is: Stand up for what you believe in and don't worry about the rest. God will take care of you.

-SotL

 

[k4c]

I just wondered what difficulties you have encountered in avoiding doing any work on the Sabbath?

I have a tough situation arising at work at the moment. Last year I made a "request" for flexible working which they approved and allowed me to finish at midday on Fridays over the winter so I could keep Sabbath. It meant a reduction in hours and pay but that wasn't any problem as long as I am keeping the 4th commandment.

I use the word "request" above and it's what I put when I ask for this so they can understand it, but for me its not really a request or something I can compromise on in any way due to where I live, the distance to work and allowing for any unseen things such as snow and ice delaying me getting home or a major accident etc. I am really informing them that I can't work between those times and seeing if they can offer a solution.

Unfortunately this year even though I have done the "request" again in the middle of June I haven't received any sort of official response even though they are meant to respond in 28 days at least according to the legislation concerned with flexible working requests.

My manager did casually mention something about "allowing" me to go at 3pm each Friday which would fall within the normal working hours and flexi time but unfortunately that wouldn't be any good to me as there is a strong liklihood I woudln't always get home in time before sunset because of the distance I travel to work and any unforseen things it just wouldn't work out.

I think that this year they don't want to allow this because they want to keep me working but they have just not made the decision one way or the other.

At the moment the way things are I am going to have to give in my notice and leave as it's more important for me to obey G-d than to the company I work for. This will leave me without a job and in a difficult situation financially as I could only survive for a short period of time without a job.

What do you think is the ideal job role for a Sabbath keeper? Ultimately will we have to become self employed with our own business so that we can keep Sabbath and obey G-d? If I do have to give my noice in then I am hoping there will be some opportunities available over Winter or I can at least find some part time work or a job share position were I don't have to work on the Sabbath.

As a Sabbatarian have you encountered any similar problems and what would you do in my shoes?
John

I believe there is a law that protects religious observances especially if they hired you knowing and accepting the fact that you are a Sabbath keeper. It can be a little tricky if you were not a Sabbath keeper when they hired you but then later you became a Sabbath keeper but I believe the law protects you either way. Also, depending on what kind of job you have will determine if you are good to work on the Sabbath. If you work in emergency services such as the medical field, police, fire or you have a job that might require you to be on call at times to respond to emergencies such as pluming, electrical and so on you are not forgetting the Sabbath when you do so. Jesus spent a lot of time teaching us how to keep the Sabbath in light of these things that come up on the Sabbath.

 

[mva1985]

If you lived in the US Title 7 requires that a employer make reasonable accommodations for a persons religious beliefs as long as it does not cause UNDUE hardship on the employer.

 

[GTLiteChamp]

Many. Employer I have is a non listening foundation. I either work when scheduled or lose my job.

 

[k4c]

Many. Employer I have is a non listening foundation. I either work when scheduled or lose my job.

If your need to work on the Sabbath is necessary to live and care for your family then that overrides any Sabbath violation. In the mean time God can open doors in other fields of employment as you pray for change.

 

[Eagle55]

I just wondered what difficulties you have encountered in avoiding doing any work on the Sabbath?

At the moment the way things are I am going to have to give in my notice and leave as it's more important for me to obey G-d than to the company I work for. This will leave me without a job and in a difficult situation financially as I could only survive for a short period of time without a job.

What do you think is the ideal job role for a Sabbath keeper? Ultimately will we have to become self employed with our own business so that we can keep Sabbath and obey G-d? If I do have to give my noice in then I am hoping there will be some opportunities available over Winter or I can at least find some part time work or a job share position were I don't have to work on the Sabbath.

As a Sabbatarian have you encountered any similar problems and what would you do in my shoes?
John

Mornin' and Happy Sabbath to you John! Atleast it is Sabbath here in Canada! I see you live in Great Britain. I have always wanted to visit there.

Personally, I feel that the whole Sabbath issue is a bit misunderstood for times like what you are experiencing. For example; I have seen people choose health care professions just so they can work every Sabbath and not worry about it.

I can really appreciate your wanting to obey God, I would also urge you to not act hastily in your situation. If you would not be able to feed your family without this job; would it be a good "witness" to them, or infact, even your employer to just quit over this issue? It may not infact be God's will for you to quit over this.

I have also wondered about using the "law" to help us enforce our Sabbath beliefs/practices, as we know that this is what Roman Catholic leadership will be doing to us soon; but with Sunday instead. Do we need to copy their methods?

Right or wrong; I have not always been 100% sure but I just know that the Bible has some negative things to say about a man who won't provide for his household. In my experience, driving home when it is just turning to sunset is not ""wrong" either. I recall one time where I was driving home from work, and normally, I would have been home an hour before Sabbath, but this one time I got a flat tire half way home, forcing me to drive part way when it was Sabbath. I was heartily condemned for driving "from work" on the Sabbath and it didn't seem to matter that it was minus 20 out and I had no food, water, or shelter.

We can still be "conservative" in our beliefs without getting too hung up about all this. Jesus is not the author of confusion. He will see you through, whatever your decision.

 

[David Conklin]

Many. Employer I have is a non listening foundation. I either work when scheduled or lose my job.

That was true for me too. I walked away form the job. Later it turned out to be a wise decision--they usually made the news breaking the law!

 

[zeker33:9]

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. (Ephesians 6:5-8 NIV)

Your earthly employer has every right to make you work whenever they want, [they may be an unbeliever]. You have to remember that no matter what day it is [Sabbath or not] you work for Him! If you can apply that, then you aren't violating the Sabbath as you are supposing you are. God works everyday! (John 5:17)

 

[David Conklin]

Since we aren't slaves we have the right to walk away from such employment.

 

[zeker33:9]

For the time you are under their employment, you are their slave my friend. They pay you for your time, you do the work they ask of you, you work the hours they ask you to work. But there is a deeper message in that passage that you are obviously overlooking.

 

[zeker33:9]

Since we aren't slaves we have the right to walk away from such employment.

BTW David, you do realize you are saying that you aren't a slave of Christ's which is what the verses are saying don't you?

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

 

[David Conklin]

>For the time you are under their employment, you are their slave my friend.

1) One can always quit.

2) I let employers know up front that I will not work on the Sabbath.

>you do realize you are saying that you aren't a slave of Christ's

Different subject. All Christians are slaves of Christ. We are not to be slaves of man. Apparently, you forgot the verses: "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar and unto God what is God" and "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

 

[zeker33:9]

>For the time you are under their employment, you are their slave my friend.

1) One can always quit.

2) I let employers know up front that I will not work on the Sabbath.

>you do realize you are saying that you aren't a slave of Christ's

Different subject. All Christians are slaves of Christ. We are not to be slaves of man. Apparently, you forgot the verses: "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar and unto God what is God" and "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

I don't think you understand the passage, but it's your choice.

 

[Eagle55]

Since we aren't slaves we have the right to walk away from such employment.

I think that in many cases, you could use the word slave without an iota of exaggeration. Many are forced to grovel for their next meal or rent for a merciless employer. They either go along with it or they are out on the streets. Its not "freedom" to someone who has to do that.

 

[Eagle55]

For the time you are under their employment, you are their slave my friend. They pay you for your time, you do the work they ask of you, you work the hours they ask you to work. But there is a deeper message in that passage that you are obviously overlooking.

You are right on, and I saw some who were out on the streets because their "master" decided they were not bowing down low enough.

I know there is *sometimes* legislation to protect us from such things - including our "freedom" to have Sabbaths off, but in the real world, this all just does not come together the way it should.

 

[David Conklin]

>Many are forced to grovel for their next meal or rent for a merciless employer.

LOL! I haven't seen one yet! You need to have more faith.

KJV Proverbs 10:3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.​

 

[zeker33:9]

You are right on, and I saw some who were out on the streets because their "master" decided they were not bowing down low enough.

I know there is *sometimes* legislation to protect us from such things - including our "freedom" to have Sabbaths off, but in the real world, this all just does not come together the way it should.

I've seen it too. And the deeper message in that passage is. Sometimes we preach the Gospel by our actions not by words. These were and are instructions on how to manage our relationships with our employers, sometimes teaching them the right thing to do, without having to rely on legislation. If you look at the context of Ephesians 5 and 6 it is all instructions on the various different aspects of life. Realizing the spiritual aspect of our actions as well.

If we realize that we are working for Him in everything we do, then we are His slave no matter what we're doing (which is what Ephesians 6:5-8 is saying). It's not about money and it's not about what day of the week it is. It's all about Him.

I heard a testimony of a man who cleaned porta-potties. He would work diligently all day long and whistle and sing all day. His work was the best most had seen in that line of work. Someone asked him one time how he could sing and be happy cleaning portable toilets? He replied, "I work for Him, and I look at it like this, I clean these things as if God Himself was going to be the next person to sit down in there."

So who do you work for? God works everyday (John 5:17)

 

[David Conklin]

>I heard a testimony of a man who cleaned porta-potties. He would work diligently all day long and whistle and sing all day. His work was the best most had seen in that line of work. Someone asked him one time how he could sing and be happy cleaning portable toilets? He replied, "I work for Him, and I look at it like this, I clean these things as if God Himself was going to be the next person to sit down in there."

Excellent, thanks!

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

Hi, I was browsing the forum and thought I'd sign up to be able post some of my thoughts...

To me, the issue of Sabbath is non negotiatable. It is a Commandment, unlike a requirement such as the clean vs unclean, vegetarian vs meat eating issues.

For those that feel like they will be persecuted (fired) for disobeying the Sabbath command and chose to work with the justification that they need to feed their families, where will they stand when the Sunday law comes? Do you think it will be easier to stand for God's requirements in that time?

To me, there is a disturbing lack of faith amongst Adventists. With all the scripture that relates to God taking care of His own, how can there be unfaithfulness among us? I have a disabled wife and make above average income with my employer, but I would walk away tomorrow if they tried to force me to work Sabbath. The premise in the Bible of condemning those that don't provide for their families is directed at those unwilling to do so, not those that obey God and are waiting on Him.

Have a good and God filled day...

Ken