Dealing with a Difficult Boss
A case study from Scripture
Copyright © 1996 Craig Edward Given. All rights reserved.
Table of Contents
As you work through this study, you will encounter questions.
You should take the time to write down the answers for these reasons.
- When you are forced to articulate your thoughts, you often find
that you don't have quite the grasp of the topic as you first
thought. Writing down the answers forces you to clarify your
thinking which in turn sharpens your understanding. There have
many times I've thought I knew the answer, but when I tried
to verbalize it, my warm-fuzzies evaporated and what I said
seemed shallow and lacked conviction.
- Since writing down the answers forces you to do more thinking,
you often will expand your answers. You'll be more likely to
think of practical applications, related Scriptures,
illustrations, examples in your life, etc.
- Writing down the answers clarifies and expands your understanding.
This in turn prepares you for sharing what you've learned. You'll
be able to effectively communicate the truths that you've
uncovered. Bible study doesn't stop with enriching your own
spiritual walk, but equipping you to build up others in the
body of Christ.
After each question you'll see a superscript number. This leads to a
footnote that contain the author's thoughts. Not the answers, mind you,
for they can only be found in Scripture. I can't stress strongly enough
that you do not read these notes until after you've finished
the entire week's assignments. You'd be cheating yourself of the
experience of owning the material.
Each chapter represents a week's worth of assignments, which in turn are
broken up into daily assignments. However, feel free to work through them
at any pace that's convenient for you.
Subscript numbers are the Strong's numbers for Greek and Hebrew words.
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For my 33rd birthday I received a copy of the Bible on cassette.
I had wanted a copy for some time, since I found that listening
to the Word read aloud offers two distinct benefits: First,
it's easier to get the "big picture" since the pace
is preset; you're less likely to get sidetracked or to focus on
the trees versus the forest. Second, the narrator emphasizes
different words in the passage than I would. This can trigger
your thinking in ways that silent reading just can't. These benefits
might account, at least partially, for Paul's exhortation to Timothy
to "give attention to the public reading of Scripture"
(Tim. 4:13).
I listen to these tapes each day on my way to and from work; and
I'm excited by the character and integrity of some of the characters
of the Old Testament. This week in particular, I've been listening
to and meditating on the relationship between an employee and
his employer— an example most of us can apply to our modern day
lives. As I thought about this employee/employer relationship,
I remembered Peter's exhortation in 1P2:18-25:
18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect,
not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who
are unreasonable. 19 For this finds favor,
if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrows
when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if,
when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience?
But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you
patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. 21
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered
for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,
22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His
mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in
return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting
Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He
Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to
sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now
you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
Peter's command to be submissive is in the present tense.
This means an action that is repeated, an action that is continual.
Peter even makes the command more difficult by requiring this
behavior even with unreasonable bosses. How unreasonable? The
word "unreasonable" is the Greek word skolios
(skol-ee-os' 4646 skoliov"), from which we get our word
scoliosis: a pathological term for "the lateral curvature of the
spine." In this context a morally crooked and perverse master;
someone who is spiritually and ethically warped.
In my readings, I've found an employer who qualified as
"unreasonable" and an employee who set an example of how to
handle an unreasonable boss. I want to examine how this employee held up
under a boss who, despite the employee's excellent service, was
unreasonable:
- The boss created tasks in an environment designed to cause failure
- The boss lied/cheated about promised promotions even when the
employee succeeded at these tasks
- The boss demanded the employee's coworkers to enter into the
conspiracy against the employee
The title of this study, Dealing with a Difficult Boss, might lead
you to believe that it's only for adults that work for monetary
remuneration. However, the truths of Scripture have a much wider
application. The core issues deal with our reaction to authority
(God's and man's), stewardship (supervisors of people, leaders
by example, and managers of resources), and attitude (paradigm
and choice). These are issues that apply to the home worker, self
employed, student, salesperson, or CEO.
Not only does this lesson apply to all types of jobs, it applies
to all times of jobs. As you study the lives of these workers,
you'll see that they faced the same (or often worse) on-the-job
pressures as we do today. But more than that, I want you to realize
that the same solutions they found to their problems can be your
solutions today. I was once dismayed to hear an older adult's comment
on Abraham's obedience in sacrificing Isaac. They claimed "it
was easier for them in their day. God spoke to them, and
they could talk to Him. They had a special relationship,
so it was easy to obey."
They overlooked the fact that God speaks to us through his completed Word,
and that we speak to Him via free access to His holy throne through
prayer (Heb. 4:16). And how much more special is our relationship
with Him, since His Holy Spirit indwells His children?
At the time it was easy to be appalled at this ludicrous statement; which
in retrospect was a self-righteous, judgmental attitude. As I really
looked at it closely, I realized that I'd used the same cop-out to
rationalize my lack of faith and obedience. Any excuse I offer calls God
a liar, because "No temptation has overtaken you but such as
is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you
to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation
will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure
it" (1 Cor. 10:13)
Colossians 2:10 and in Him you have been made complete,
and He is the head over all rule and authority;
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in
Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but
take courage; I have overcome the world."
1 Corinthians 15:57 but thanks be to God, who gives us
the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
[present tense verb = continually gives]
Hebrews 11:33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts
of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,
1 John 5:4-5 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world;
and this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith.
5 And who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes
that Jesus is the Son of God?
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- Most employees must submit a résumé as part of
their job application. Read 1 Samuel 16:14-18, which explains
the job opening and lists our employee's résumé.
-
List the job qualifications of our employee, i.e., what are
his good points?
1
-
Practical application: how can we obtain the same qualifications?
2
What a dramatic career change— from pasture to palace! In modern
terms it would be a fast-food French-fry guy being promoted to
the personal executive staff of the President! Imagine
your reaction to a similar promotion. It'd be like the Publisher's
Clearing House van driving up. Reflect on you own dramatic change,
that came at salvation, in your destiny: from the slave of sin destined for destruction to
adoption as a royal child with fabulous wealth destined for life
in a luxurious mansion.
-
It takes more than a good résumé to get and keep
a job at this level. You must prove that you have the characteristics
listed on your résumé. This is established in the
interview and probationary period. Read 16:19-23 and specify how
the interview/probation went.
3
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Isn't that how all jobs seem at first? Most people don't
knowingly come on board for a boss they know is a jerk. Instead,
you are usually heady with your new pay increase, greater authority,
and/or new challenges and opportunities. It isn't until after
you've burned your bridges behind you that the reality check comes.
-
Chapter 17 tells of the tremendous victory over Goliath,
and hence the Philistine army. David (1) took the initiative,
(2) took extra responsibility, (3) at his own expense (his life),
and (4) saved his corporation from a hostile take-over. Read 18:1-5
and describe how David's boss and coworkers responded to his
outstanding performance during this major crises. How did David react
to success?
4
-
Read 18:6-9 and describe what is the root cause for the
reversal of David's status. List the emotions that are evoked
from Saul in this situation.
5
- Galatians 6:7 promises us that we reap what we sow. Saul sowed
thoughts and reaped actions. Read 18:8-30 and answer the following
questions
-
What thoughts did Saul sow and what actions did he reap
(an example is shown)?
6
| Employer's Thoughts
| Employer's Actions/Results
|
| Jealous, angry, and suspicious thoughts (v8)
| Evil spirit? (v10)
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
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How did David react to this sudden (note the phrase "the
next day" in verse 10) change of treatment?
7
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In chapter 18 we see how Saul created tasks designed to cause
David's failure. Saul lied to David about his promised promotions
even when David fulfilled— even exceeded— the assignment. The third
atrocity which I mentioned in this lesson's introduction was that
the boss also demanded that the employee's coworkers enter into
the conspiracy against the employee. You can find this narrative
in the beginning of chapter 19, with David receiving his "pink
slip" in 19:10.
But our focus isn't on how bad a boss Saul was, but on how David
reacted to his unreasonable boss. Let's look at David's response
to his circumstances and determine how he was able to bear them.
-
How did David react to his difficult work environment according
to 22:14? 8
-
Review your notes from the previous days and list all the job
functions David performed. For each see if you recognize any modern
day equivalent titles or terms and then note them. (One is shown
for you)
- Leader (of sheep, then soldiers, then a nation)
9
-
In the above assignment you created the résumé's
counterpart: a Job Description. This is a primary tool used by
managers for Annual Performance Evaluations. For our Annual
Performance Evaluation we need to specify the criteria for each job
function. Beside each job function/title list which of the following
three ingredients are needed for each: skill, knowledge, and/or
desire. Think about the results of having various missing
ingredients in each function. 10
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Success in an endeavor is a combination of three components: desire,
knowledge, and ability. Can you imagine a successful brain surgeon
with no medical knowledge? Even if he had all the prerequisite
knowledge, could he be a successful brain surgeon if he couldn't guide
a scalpel accurately? And what good would knowledge and skill be if
he never performed a single surgery — just because he had no desire
to be a brain surgeon. You can't leave even one component out and
still be a success. David was a success because he had all three
components. Complete the following to see how he acquired these elements:
-
According to 1 Sam. 13:14 and Acts 13:22, what was David's
desire?
11
- Read the following verses and identify what David perceived as the
method to acquire ability.
-
His Perception: 1S 17:37, 45-47
12
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Reality: 18:14
13
- Knowledge: What did David know that made a difference?
Look at the following verses and identify the common thread:
- Perception:
-
1 Sam. 24:6-7 (David finds Saul in the Engedi cave)
14
-
1 Sam. 25:39 (David is about to kill Nabal after being severely
insulted)
15
-
1 Sam. 26:10, 24 David sneaks into Saul's camp at the Hill of
Hachilah
16
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2 Sam. 1:14-15; 2:4-5; 4:8-12; (David's view of God's judgment on
Saul and David's enemy Ish-bosheth)
17
-
2 Sam. 2:11 God's timing: 7.5 years
18
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2 Sam. 16:10 (5-14) Shimei's curses David as he flees Absalom
19
- Reality:
-
1 Sam. 23:14
20
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2 Sam. 8:6 and 2 Sam. 8:14b
21
- Success
- What components do you lack in being a success in life?
- In what practical ways can you follow David's example?
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Have you ever been in or seen a car accident? It only lasts a second, but
most people can mentally replay it in slow motion afterwards. It's
easy to see how the accident could have been avoided after-the-fact. The
"should've," "would've," and "could've" is much clearer in retrospect.
As David looked back on his life, what was clear to him?
-
Read 2 Sam. 22:1 and identify the context of this chapter.
22
-
The beginning of this chapter introduces the main focus
of the whole chapter. What do you see as the most repeated or
mentioned person/place/thing (the song's first verse is
chapter 22's verses two and three)?
23
- As circumstances in David's life churned, what foundation
did David choose to stand upon?
-
A foundation is a place we choose to mentally stand upon (or take
refuge in), that is to trust, when things get rough. It's the
measuring rod of "how I'm doing." For example, if your
focus/foundation is money then your financial situation determines
how you're doing. So, whenever you were broke, you'd be miserable.
"Good" is the mortal enemy of the "Best." What are some foundations
that we focus on that seem good, but can actually fail us?
24
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How was David able to stay on course as he ran life's race?
25
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Version 01.04.2000
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