So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. – Galatians 6:10
They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share. – 1 Timothy 6:18
Over the years, I have had many great and memorable bosses. Each one had his or her own style and idiosyncrasies. Some of them professed their faith explicitly, others made you wonder. Let’s agree: There is no such thing as a bad boss; you can learn from all of them; sometimes you learn what to do; sometimes you learn what not to do. Much of what my bosses taught me has stuck with me for decades. Here is what I learned from my bosses in restaurants and management consulting more than thirty years ago:
• “If guests see paper towels on the bathroom floor, they will think that there are roaches in the food.” – Paul Grace
• “It’s not ready! It takes time! Go round around, come back again!” – Chef Vittoria Testa
• “Do not mistake my objective for an instruction.” – Ann B. Hopkins
• “There is no right way to do a wrong thing.” – Dr. Fred L. Laughlin
• “Do good.” – Dr. Paul R. Lawrence
That last saying was from the man whom we referred to as “the Good Doctor.”
Several years ago, the President appointed him Under Secretary at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Paul’s common exhortation for us to ‘do good’ might seem glib – and it certainly seemed that way to some of the younger employees back in the day – but he meant every [both] word(s).
The Good Doctor didn’t need to say much. His razor-sharp mind cut through the nonsense and lay bare exactly what we needed to focus on.
Paul didn’t waste time.
Speaking of which, another common phrase of his was, “8:30, not 8:31.”
Working for him, we knew not to arrive late. Paul began the day on time, addressed the issues, and left on time to be with his family. He was a great boss.
Of course, sometimes we know that we are supposed to do good, but we choose to do otherwise, creating room for regret.
Another great Paul acknowledged having this problem: For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing (Romans 7:19).
As sinful people, we are all prone to putting ourselves first – trying foolishly to do a wrong thing a right way.
But from Scripture, we know that there is a right thing and a right way. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.
He is the way of forgiveness, the way of knowledge, holiness, and righteousness. On our own, we crave and pursue wrong things.
With guidance, we grow through individual covenant faithfulness and community membership as we respond to the powerful call of the Holy Spirit.
These are intertwined: we need the community of the church to encourage our faithfulness, and we strengthen the community through our participation and personal growth. We do good as we share together. We benefit from the words of a good boss.
Today, let us remember what Paul said to Timothy so long ago, “Do good” (1 Timothy 6:18). This is an objective, as well as an instruction. And it takes time, so you might need to go round around and come back again. May Christ’s good Word guide you!
