Counting the Cost of Choosing the Right Job

“For which of you, intending to build a tower does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it.” – Luke 14:28

How do you ensure that you are joining the right organization?  What did Jesus teach His disciples about the cost of joining His team?    What lessons can we learn from Him?

Imagine that you are at a meeting and you are so inspired by a charismatic leader that you are willing to join his organization.  However, he asks you to consider the cost of being a part of his team.  Most leaders long for followers and make it easy for individuals to join them but Jesus was the opposite.  He made sure that all His followers clearly understood what it took to be a part of His team.  Though He promised them great rewards, He demanded great sacrifice from them.  Did you count the cost before joining the organization you are a part of right now?  What things should you consider to make sure you are with the right organization?  Before going over the five key principles to choosing the right job, let’s first consider these don’ts:

• Never focus solely on financial compensation and reward for it will never give you true fulfillment.
• Do not join an organization that demands of its team what it does not demand of itself.
• Do not take more than you give. Always strive to deliver more than you demand from the organization

The five principles for choosing the right organization are:

1. Calling – does this job fit in God’s overall purpose for your life? Never choose a job or a position that you are not wired for or passionate about.  If it is not something you enjoy doing  – so much so that you would do for free – then you should not do it or do it temporary until you find the right fit.  No amount of money is worth spending five days a week doing something you are not wired for or passionate about.  Remember every place you work must be ordained by God.
2. Character – do you have the morals and integrity that fits the company’s values?  You will never succeed beyond your character.  Can your internal moral code and integrity withstand the demands of your job?  Can you be trusted to do the right thing even if no one will ever know?
3. Competence – are you qualified for the position?  Never accept a job beyond your performance ability.  This will only lead to personal disappointments and frustrations.  Competence is what you can do, not what you aspire to do.  Can you do the job today?
4. Aptitude – do you have the ability to grow with the position and the organization?  Every organization aspires to grow beyond where they are today.  Are you prepared to invest the time and money required to grow with the organization?  Do not let the organization outgrow you but commit what it takes to keep pace.  As the organization grows, the demands on you will grow.  This is a sure way to keep your job and to be promoted.
5. Culture –Every organization has a culture.  It is that intangible spirit of the organization that is shaped by its values, its leadership and the personality of those who are a part of the organization.  Make sure you fit their culture.  A good way to ensure this is to spend a day or two there before officially accepting the position or to pay careful attention during the probationary period.

Most of us are used to being interviewed by an employer but what we often don’t realize is that we must interview them as well.  No matter how desperate you feel you need the job, never get so desperate that you choose a job for the money alone.  God is your provider not your employer.  If Jesus encouraged His disciples to count the cost before following Him, when He had the power to give them eternal life and great rewards here on earth, how much more should you count the costs before following a mortal leader who can not even guarantee you job security.

My prayer for you today is that God will give you the grace choose the right organization or to evaluate where you work now to ensure that you are at the place God has ordained.