What to Do When Work Conflicts with Your Values

When the prophet Daniel was in captivity, he was trained for service to King Nebuchadnezzar. As part of the program, he was ordered to eat food from the king’s table. But Daniel believed the rich food would defile him and his friends. So he respectfully appealed the order by suggesting an alternative.

Daniel humbly approached the guard who’d been assigned as a steward over them and said, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see” (Daniel 1:12-13 NIV).

The guard agreed to Daniel’s proposal. Here’s what happened: “At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead” (Daniel 1:15–16 NIV).

Daniel and his friends impressed King Nebuchadnezzar more than any of the other students, and they all were chosen to serve the king.

When you, like Daniel, are asked to do something that conflicts with your values, you have a choice. You can react with defiance and disrespect—or you can respond with a humble, respectful appeal.

To make a successful appeal, you need to have a good reputation already. People in authority need to see you as someone who’s responsible, consistent, and loyal, with a good attitude. That was true of Daniel, which is why the guard trusted him enough to grant his appeal.

The Bible says, “In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people” (Colossians 3:23 NCV).

As Christians, we should strive to have the best reputation in the marketplace. We should be known as the most responsible employees, the best citizens, the hardest workers, and the most trustworthy and consistent people.

If you slack off at work but then—when you’re asked to do something that violates your values—say, “I can’t do this because I’m a Christian,” that’s the wrong message. No one will take you seriously.

Daniel’s story shows that being consistent, responsible, and faithful earns the respect of others. And when you have that respect, you’ll have an open door to make an appeal—to suggest an alternative—when you’re asked to do something that conflicts with your convictions.