A Gospel Perspective on Work Post-PandemicExemplo

It didn’t take long after our lockdown in 2020 to realize that the pandemic would be a massive boon for some businesses—especially tech-centric businesses like Zoom, Uber Eats, and streaming entertaining services mostly staffed by high-wage workers. Conversely, other sectors of the economy, such as restaurants and hotels, staffed mainly by lower-wage workers, took a massive hit and continue to suffer today.

Once again, the rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer. How are you and I called to respond to that sobering reality? The way the Church has always been called to respond! As Proverb 28:27 makes clear, we are commanded to give generously to the poor. What could that look like practically in this cultural moment?

First, if you’re one whom this economy has blessed financially, it could look like being generous with your money. That could mean overtipping at restaurants or choosing to donate not just to organizations meeting spiritual needs in your community but also to organizations meeting the material needs of the poor.

Second, it could look like being generous with your time. Do you know a single mom who doesn’t enjoy a flexible work schedule as you do? Offer to pick up her kids after school! Are you a talented entrepreneur? Spend some time launching a new business to create jobs for those hit hardest by the pandemic.

Finally, if you’re a leader of an organization, consider how you can be generous to the poor via your organization’s policies. That could mean choosing to pay your workers every other day instead of every other week to make it easier for them to make ends meet or raise the question of whether your work from home policies are working for everyone from the top to the bottom of your organization chart.

Those are just a few ideas to get you thinking about how you can obey Scripture’s frequent command to be generous to the poor. As you explore your own personal response, remember Proverbs 19:17: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” May that promise and the pain of the poor around you compel you to loving action today!