How can I keep the Sabbath when my boss asks me to work?


Honoring God’s Command

The Sabbath was never intended to be an end in itself. It was a means by which man might become acquainted with his Creator. Therefore, keeping the Sabbath hours is very important.

The fourth commandment stated, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.  Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your GodIn it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it” (Exodus 20:8-11).

Sabbath Issue With the Boss at Work

When you have a situation where you are required to work on the Sabbath, first inform your boss with your religious beliefs. Write an official letter explaining why you don’t work on the Sabbath and how this is a violation of your convictions. Sabbath keeping churches will also provide their members with a copy of their membership and a letter of the statement of beliefs.

According to Title V11 of the Civil Rights Act and the guidelines of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in the United States, accommodation should be made for the employees. The believer must also show his boss that he has good intentions by being willing to make up for the hours he missed on Sabbath. For those that live outside the United States of America, laws may vary. Certain countries don’t grant religious freedom and Sabbath keepers may face different work policies.

Put God First

There is no true blessings apart from God and obedience to His laws. Jesus promised the faithful, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). The Lord would have us make first things first, and assures us that things of lesser value will be given to each according to his need. If the believers are faithful and make the kingdom of heaven their first priority, God will take care of them all through life. He will generously “anoint” their heads with oil and their cup will overflow with many blessings (Psalm 23).

Sabbath Blessing To The Obedient

The Lord promised a great blessing for those that keep the Sabbath: “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable, and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways… then you shall delight yourself in the Lord; and I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the Lord has spoken” (Isaiah 58:13,14).

Both material and spiritual blessings are promised to those who obey the Lord. “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth” (Deuteronomy 28:1).

For more on the Sabbath, please check (Lessons 91-102) of the Bible Lessons.

In His service,
BibleAsk Team

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