Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands,that they may have something to share with those in need.
Paul of Tarsus – Letter to the Ephesians
Two thoughts:
- Integrity in our work is a baseline and an enabler – a starting point. The end of work is not merely to meet your own needs or to feed your family (this is necessary, but not sufficient). It’s not to make your boss happy (although this is helpful), nor to accumulate riches (fine if it happens). Here, the end of work is generosity: that you might have something to share with someone who needs it. Quite often, the work itself is something that we share too.
- This isn’t about helping everyone, all the time. It’s not “Work, that you might meet all the needs of all people all the time.” That’s not your job. Your job is simply to show up with something, and share it cheerfully.