Christian workers should start watching the clock rather than their bank balance says a leading UK expert on managing the tension between home life and work.
According to Christian public policy commentator Dr Michael Schluter, Sydney Anglicans should be making decisions based on "chronomics' (time) rather than economics (money).
Dr Schluter has told Christian businessmen that time is our key resource, because it directly impacts on our relationships.
His address was delivered at an event jointly presented by the Macquarie Christian Studies Institute (MCSI), Australia's only provider of accredited university units in the practice of Christian work/life issues, and the Marketplace Connections group at St Stephens, Willoughby.
The event also launched a new Bible Studies series from the Bible Society and MCSI.
Going to Work with God by Robert and Linda Banks is the first of a planned series called The Bible at Work and emerges out of a shared concern by the Bible Society NSW and MCSI to show that today's perceived gap between faith and work was bridged in the Bible and can be bridged again.
Dr Schluter agrees and says the greatest commandment is to love, which is all about relationships.
"Christianity is different as a religion, because it is about relationships wherever you look " even our God is three in one, in permanent relationship and we were made in His image " for relationships."
"When we get to heaven, God won't be asking us about our superannuation plan or what car we drove " although he may ask how you drove it as that does affect your relationships with those in the car and on the road" He will ask about the quality of your relationships."
He says that despite the Bible's emphasis on relationships, most of people don't think to make their decisions about what to buy or where to live through a relational lens.
The main consideration tends to be the income impact.
Turning his "relational lens" and extensive research, to a wide range of issues, he shows how it could help us see life and society differently - from reminding nursing staff to knock before entering a patient's room to questioning western nations' superior attitude when dealing with poorer nations.
Stressing the importance of having a shared day off to help protect marriage and family life, Dr Schluter is reminding people that in this age of high technology, quality relationships take time together " and that means face to face, not just regular emails or watching the same TV program.
He is also offering advice on maximizing relationships in a wide range of contexts.
For example, he says fathers should take time to stop and think before joining the dinner table.
"You wouldn't go to a Board meeting without preparing, so make the most of this opportunity to guide and teach your family by thinking about the dynamics and issues of the day," he says.
"Make sure all the family has the opportunity to contribute to the discussion."
"Most people work hard to save for their superannuation " but what about your relational superannuation? Social isolation is a greater health risk than smoking," he says.
He is calling for Christians to support each other more vigorously when it comes to challenging society " such as not working long hours, because everyone else does.
"Sadly, most of us have a tendency to forgo the much greater long-term benefits of family life and relationships, for short-term gains, such as a raise, in the workplace," he says.
As one attendee remarked afterwards, in an age of text messages, multi-skilling and Sunday shopping, a lot of what he said had an "old-fashioned' feel, but “You couldn't help being left with the nagging feeling that maybe on a lot of things, he was right.”
St Stephen’s regularly holds Marketplace Connection meetings on faith and work issues led by MCSI Director Gordon Preece.
They are held at 6 pm on the second Sunday of the month.
