On Faithful Work
By Denise Lee Yohn
How do you maintain integrity when your workplace doesn't share your values? It's a question I hear constantly from Christians in tech, finance, healthcare, and beyond. The software engineer asked to ship an unready product. The data scientist told to optimize algorithms that push users deeper into debt. The product manager tasked with maximizing screen time while limiting it for their own children at home.
These aren't hypothetical scenarios—they're the daily reality for many Christians working in secular environments. And while these challenges feel uniquely modern, they're as ancient as the book of Genesis.
Joseph's story offers a powerful framework for navigating faithless workplaces. Sold into slavery in Egypt, Joseph found himself working under Pharaoh—a ruler considered divine by Egyptian culture. Yet Joseph maintained his integrity and ultimately transformed an entire nation. How? Through three key practices:
Resisting Rival Gods
When Potiphar's wife propositioned Joseph, she wasn't just offering pleasure—she was offering access, influence, and advancement. Joseph refused because he recognized the false gods at play: success demanding compromise, significance denying true identity, security breeding fear. Today's workplace idols are equally sophisticated, presenting themselves as pragmatism or "just how business is done." But like Joseph, we must name these rival gods and rest in what Christ has already secured for us.
Rightly Ordering Our Allegiance
Standing before Pharaoh, Joseph could have taken credit for interpreting dreams. Instead, he declared: "I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." Joseph formed an alliance with Pharaoh's goals—serving excellently and seeking Egypt's prosperity—but reserved his allegiance for God alone. We can align our work with our employer's mission and assist colleagues with excellence, but our ultimate loyalty belongs to Christ.
Reframing Work as Exilic Discipleship
As Christians in secular workplaces, we're exiles—citizens of a heavenly kingdom temporarily residing in earthly systems. This isn't about assimilation (losing distinctiveness) or separation (losing influence). It's about exilic discipleship: engaged but not assimilated, distinct but not withdrawn, confident but not arrogant.
The goal isn't mere survival—it's faithful influence. You have more power than you think. Everyone shapes workplace culture through their daily choices and interactions. Joseph didn't just survive in Egypt; he transformed it, ultimately saving countless lives.
Your sphere of influence might look different, but the call is the same: actively look for opportunities to bring kingdom values into your work environment. Seek God's kingdom in your heart, listen deeply to people around you, and take whatever next step God is leading you toward.
Work faithfully, knowing your true home is with God—and watch how He uses your influence to transform your corner of the world.
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Watch the Full Sermon
Dive deeper into this topic by watching the full sermon that Denise shared at Hillside Marin Church here.
Denise Lee Yohn is the Co-Founder of the Bay Area Center for Faith, Work & Tech, as well as a corporate keynote speaker, consultant, and writer on brand leadership.