Godly Discernment in Accepting Job Offers and Promotions

I’ve certainly had my fair share of jobs in the first decade of my career, and I’ve learned a lot when it comes to accepting or not accepting job offers. I’d love to say I never made any mistakes, but I’m so thankful for those mistakes. Without those mistakes, I might have never learned that godly discernment is key to making the best decisions related to accepting job offers and promotions.

Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV)

When it comes to career progression, I’ve learned that godly discernment best manifests itself in the following three ways.

1. In Picking the Best Company

I’ve worked for many Fortune 500 companies, several medium-sized companies, and even one small company. Each company had its own unique strengths and weaknesses, but some simply had too many weaknesses to ignore. Unfortunately, a person often doesn’t realize what those weaknesses are until they’ve been working for the company. That’s usually too late. Seeking God’s wisdom on the front end can help us see the unseeable.

2. In Choosing the Best Role

Many of us know the type of companies we’d like to work for. In fact, many of us are already at the company we’d like to stay with for the rest of our careers. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean we know what the best roles are for us. One job at a dream company might be a treasure, but another job at the same company might be a nightmare. That’s where godly discernment comes in big once again. Not exercising godly discernment can be the difference between a 40-year career or quitting in two weeks.

Related Post: Letting God Decide Your Career Path

3. In Choosing the Best Season

Further still, a company or a role may be perfect for you. But it may not be perfect for you right now. For example: accepting a job promotion as a traveling salesman may not be the best idea if you and your wife just had a baby last week. There’s nothing bad about traveling. In fact, traveling might be a career goal of yours. That goal, however, might not always work for your family. Some seasons in life are more flexible than others. It takes godly discernment to know what season you’re in.