Are You Ghostworking?

Apparently, the grind of “Working 9 to 5″ is more than a catchy tune by Dolly Parton or a funny movie.

Today’s workers are feeling the stress and strain of the workday, and more than half admit to “ghostworking.”

“Ghostworking” is a relatively new term that describes an employee who pretends to be busy to deceive their boss or supervisor.

Recently, a New York Post article reported, “More than half of employees (58%) admit they regularly pretend to be working.” According to a study by Resume Now, an online job-hunting hub, this was revealed in a new report.

So, what are these employees doing if they are not working? Sources say they are walking around carrying a notebook as a prop, typing random words to generate sound on the keyboard, pretending to be on the phone, and scheduling fake meetings to pad their calendar. In many cases, they are actually job hunting instead of doing their job.

The phenomenon of “ghostworking” is not a new concept. But it prompts two essential thoughts:

First of all, “ghostworking” is sinful. It ought not to be the attitude of a Christian worker.

#1 Ghostworking is deceitful.

Pretending to be on the phone, scheduling fake meetings, and misrepresenting your work is another form of lying, which “the Lord detests” (Prov. 12:22).

#2 Ghostworking is stealing.

Paul commanded workers to work. Don’t steal. Produce something useful (Eph. 4:28). Not working while being paid by your employer is a form of stealing.

#3 Ghostworking violates Scriptural principles of honest labor.

Ephesians 6:5-8 demands that we work “with sincerity of heart.” And “rendering service with a goodwill as to the Lord and not to man.”

In a companion passage, Colossians 3:22-23 exhorts us to work “not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.”

Working diligently, honestly, and productively pleases and serves both men and God.

#4 Ghostworking damages our Christian testimony.

We are to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:13-16). Laziness, dishonesty, and lack of integrity harms our credibility, the gospel, and what it represents.

Secondly, I wonder if some Christians are ghostworking in their discipleship?

Recently, I completed a four-part sermon series on different aspects of discipleship. They each involved effort, energy, and growth. Discipleship is not an event. It’s a process. One of the demands is diligence.

Why do some Christians never seem to grow spiritually? They attend worship services, Bible classes, and some fellowship functions. Yet, little progress has been seen in their lives. Could it be that they’re just going through the motions? Is their mind not focused? Is their heart not attuned to spiritual matters? Are they, in essence, just ghostworking their discipleship?

Jesus said, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher” (Lk. 6:40).

Training suggests an expenditure of effort and energy. It’s work. It calls for commitment, dedication, and discipline. Bible study, prayer, engaging worship, compassionate ministry, and involved fellowship cannot be truly achieved by ghostworking.

You may fool your boss, co-workers, preacher, pastors, and fellow Christians by ghostworking. But you can’t fool God. He knows if you’re ghostworking either on your job or in your discipleship.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman