Excellence and Integrity on the Job

My work is not just a job; it's a platform for God's glory.

Good morning. It’s great to see you all today.

We’re in week two of our series, "Exiles," where we’re looking at the life of Daniel to learn how to live as faithful followers of Jesus in a world that often feels like a foreign land.

Last week, we started in Daniel chapter 1. We saw Daniel and his friends as teenagers, ripped from their homes and thrust into the heart of Babylon. We saw the world’s three-part strategy to conform them: a new education to shape how they thought, a new diet to shape what they desired, and a new name to shape who they were. And in the face of all that pressure, we saw Daniel draw a line in the sand. Verse 8 says, "But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself." He made a pre-meditated decision to honor God, and we saw how God, in turn, honored him with favor and wisdom. The big idea was this: My identity is not defined by my culture, but secured by my God.

That’s the foundation. But what happens after you’ve made that resolve? What does it look like to live out that secure identity on Monday morning? When the alarm goes off and you have to head into the office, the construction site, the classroom, the hospital, or log on to work from your kitchen table?

This is where the rubber meets the road for most of us. For many people, there's a sharp, clean line between their "spiritual life" and their "work life." Sunday is for God; the rest of the week is for the grind. We talk about the "Sunday-to-Monday gap." We sing songs about surrender and commitment here in this room, but when we step into our professional lives, we often put on a different uniform, play by a different set of rules, and speak a different language. Work becomes something we endure, a means to an end—a way to pay the bills and fund our "real life" on evenings and weekends. For others, work can become the ultimate source of their identity and self-worth, the place where they find their value and meaning.

Daniel’s story challenges both of these extremes. After he drew his line in the sand in chapter 1, he didn’t retreat from the world. He didn't start a monastery in Babylon. He engaged it. He stepped into the highest levels of a pagan government and built a career that spanned 70 years and multiple administrations. For Daniel, his work wasn't a distraction from his faith; it was the primary arena where his faith was displayed.

Today, we’re going to look at how he did that. We’re going to see that as exiles, God doesn't call us to escape the workplace, but to engage it with a radical kind of excellence and integrity. Daniel's career shows us that our work, when done for God, is not just a job; it becomes a powerful platform for God's glory.

Competence Fueled by Dependence (Daniel 2)

Our first look at Daniel’s professional life comes in chapter 2, and it’s a crisis of epic proportions. King Nebuchadnezzar, the most powerful man in the world, has a disturbing dream. And he calls in his team of "magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and Chaldeans"—basically, his cabinet of wise men and spiritual advisors.

But he has a truly unreasonable demand.

Daniel 2:5

Daniel 2:5 KJV 1900

The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.

He doesn't just want them to interpret the dream; he wants them to tell him what the dream was. This is an impossible test. It’s a paranoid king’s way of making sure his advisors aren't just making things up. And the advisors know it’s impossible. They protest in verse 10: "There is not a man on earth who can declare the matter for the king." They admit their total inadequacy. The wisdom of the world, the best that Babylon has to offer, hits a wall. And the king, in his rage, orders the execution of every single wise man in Babylon—including Daniel and his friends, who were still in training.

Now, put yourself in Daniel’s shoes. He’s about to be executed for a crime he didn’t commit, because of a test he wasn’t even given. This is the ultimate workplace nightmare. His career is over before it even began. What is his response? This is so crucial. His response reveals the foundation of a godly work ethic.

Daniel’s First Move: Wisdom and Prayer

Daniel 2:14

Daniel 2:14 KJV 1900

Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:

His first move isn't panic. It isn't protest. It isn't lashing out in anger or fear. It's wisdom. The text says he responded with "discretion and discernment." He calmly and respectfully asks the captain, "Why is the decree from the king so urgent?" He gathers information. He assesses the situation with a level head. This is practical wisdom in action.

But what he does next is the most important part.

Daniel 2:17–18 KJV 1900

Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

His second move, which is really his primary move, is immediate and desperate prayer. He doesn't rely on his own cleverness. He doesn't try to scheme his way out of it. He goes straight to his community and together, they go straight to the throne of God. His first instinct is not self-reliance; it is corporate dependence on God. He understood that human wisdom had failed, and only divine revelation could save them.

[ILLUSTRATION PROMPT: Share a story about a crisis at work or in your personal life. What was your first instinct? Was it to panic, to strategize, to call a friend to complain? Contrast that with Daniel's model of responding first with calm assessment and then immediately turning to prayer. What does it look like to make prayer our first resort, not our last resort, in a professional crisis?]

Giving Credit Where It's Due

God answers their prayer. Verse 19 says, "Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision." And after a beautiful prayer of praise, Daniel goes to Arioch and says, "Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; take me before the king, and I will declare the interpretation to the king."

This is the moment of truth. He’s brought before the most powerful man on earth, who asks him, "Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?"

This is his chance to be the hero. This is his opportunity to say, "Yes, I can. I’m the one who figured it out. I’m smarter than all your other advisors." He could have taken all the credit and secured his future forever. But look at his response in verses 27 and 28. It is a masterclass in giving glory to God.

Daniel 2:27–28 KJV 1900

Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;

His first words are not "I can," but "They can't... but God can." He immediately deflects the glory from himself and points it directly to the God of heaven. He uses his moment in the spotlight to put the spotlight on God. He makes it clear that any ability he has is not his own; it is a gift from the one true God who is sovereign over all things, including the dreams of pagan kings.

This is the model for the Christian exile at work. We should strive to be the most competent people in our fields. We should work with wisdom and discernment. But our competence must be fueled by a deep and abiding dependence on God. And when success comes, our first instinct must be to give Him the glory. We use our professional platform not to build our own kingdom, but to point people to His.

Integrity Under Scrutiny (Daniel 6)

Now let's fast-forward several decades. Daniel is no longer a teenager. He’s an old man, likely in his 80s. He has outlasted Nebuchadnezzar. The Babylonian empire has fallen, and a new empire, the Medo-Persian empire, has risen in its place. And where is Daniel? He’s still at the top.

Look at Daniel 6:1-2

Daniel 6:1–2 KJV 1900

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.

Daniel is one of the top three administrators in the most powerful empire on earth. And verse 3 tells us why:

Daniel 6:3 KJV 1900

Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

He wasn't just hanging on; he was thriving. He was distinguished. Why? Because of his "excellent spirit." This speaks of his character, his wisdom, his work ethic, his reliability. He was exceptionally good at his job, and the king recognized it.

But success often breeds jealousy. The other officials, consumed with envy, decide they have to get rid of him. And so, they launch an investigation. This is where Daniel's integrity is put to the ultimate test.

Weaponized Integrity

Look at verse 4:

Daniel 6:4 KJV 1900

Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

This verse is staggering. Think about it. His political rivals, who are desperate to destroy him, conduct a forensic audit of his entire professional life. They go through his expense reports. They interview his staff. They check his accounting. They look for any hint of corruption, any sign of negligence, any ethical lapse, any "error or fault." And they come up with nothing. Absolutely nothing.

His integrity was so complete, so unassailable, that they are forced to conclude in verse 5:

Daniel 6:5 KJV 1900

Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

Do you see what’s happening? His integrity was so perfect that the only way to trap him was to make his righteousness illegal. They had to weaponize his faithfulness. They couldn't attack his work, so they had to attack his worship.

[ILLUSTRATION PROMPT: Talk about the modern workplace. How easy is it to cut corners, to fudge an expense report, to gossip about a colleague, to take credit for someone else's work, to be lazy when the boss isn't looking? Contrast this with Daniel's standard of excellence. What would happen if our colleagues conducted a secret investigation into our work ethic and character? What would they find? Would they find a person of unimpeachable integrity?]

This is the exile's challenge. Are we working in such a way that our performance is excellent and our character is blameless? Our integrity on the job—our honesty, our work ethic, how we treat others—is often the most powerful sermon we will ever preach. It's what makes our verbal witness believable.

Influence for a Greater Purpose

So we see Daniel’s pattern: competence fueled by dependence on God, and integrity that holds up under the tightest scrutiny. But why? What was the point of it all? Was it just so he could have a long, successful career? No. Daniel’s career had a purpose far greater than his own promotion or safety. The end goal was the proclamation of God's name and glory in a pagan empire.

Look at the outcomes of these two stories.

After Daniel interprets the dream in chapter 2, what is Nebuchadnezzar's reaction? Verse 46:

Daniel 2:46-47

Daniel 2:46–47 KJV 1900

Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him. The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.

The most powerful man on earth falls on his face and confesses that Daniel’s God is the one true God. Daniel’s competence led to the king’s confession.

Now look at the end of chapter 6. After Daniel is miraculously saved from the lions' den—a direct result of the trap set because of his integrity—what does King Darius do? Verse 25:

Daniel 6:25-26

Daniel 6:25–26 KJV 1900

Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

A pagan king issues a royal decree, sent throughout the entire known world, commanding everyone to revere the God of Daniel. Daniel’s integrity led to a global proclamation of God’s glory.

Do you see the pattern? Daniel’s professional platform was used for a divine purpose. His work was the stage upon which God’s power and glory were put on display for the whole world to see.

This brings us to the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew chapter 5, verse 16. He says to his followers—to us:

Matthew 5:16

Matthew 5:16 KJV 1900

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

What are the "good works" that people see? For most of us, it’s not going to be miraculous healings or dramatic prophecies. It’s going to be the excellence with which we do our jobs. It’s the integrity with which we conduct our business. It’s the grace and respect with which we treat our colleagues. Our "good works" are our daily actions in the ordinary spaces of life. And Jesus says that when we do these things well, for His glory, people will see it and give glory to our Father in heaven. Our work becomes a signpost that points people to God.

Conclusion & Application

So, how do we bring this home? How do we live like Daniel in our own modern Babylon?

Daniel's model for work is clear: Competence that comes from depending on God, integrity that holds up under the tightest scrutiny, and a greater purpose that uses our influence to point people to Jesus.

But how do we develop that mindset? How do we transform our view of work from a secular task to a sacred act of worship? The Apostle Paul gives us the key in Colossians chapter 3. He’s writing to a church, giving them practical instructions for daily life. And in verse 23, he says this:

Colossians 3:23-24

Colossians 3:23–24 KJV 1900

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

This one verse changes everything. "Whatever you do"—whether you are a CEO or a stay-at-home parent, a doctor or a plumber, a student or retired and volunteering—"work heartily," with all your energy and passion. Why? "As for the Lord and not for men."

When you fill out that spreadsheet, you’re not just doing it for your boss; you are serving the Lord Christ. When you change that diaper, you are serving the Lord Christ. When you are kind to that difficult customer, you are serving the Lord Christ. When you refuse to cut corners on a project, you are serving the Lord Christ.

This verse lifts our work out of the realm of the ordinary and places it in the realm of the sacred. Your true boss is Jesus. Your ultimate performance review comes from Him. And your ultimate reward is not a paycheck or a promotion, but an eternal inheritance that can never be taken away.

When you grasp this, it frees you. It frees you from the need to find your ultimate identity in your job, because your identity is already secure in Christ. And it frees you from seeing your job as meaningless, because every task, no matter how small, becomes an act of worship when done for Him.

So, let's get practical. I want to leave you with three questions to reflect on this week.

1. When you face a challenge at work, what is your first instinct?

Is it to strategize and worry? To complain to a coworker? To rely on your own strength and intelligence? Or, like Daniel, is it to stop, gather your community, and plead for mercy and wisdom from the God of heaven? Let’s be honest with ourselves. What is our default setting?

2. If your colleagues were to conduct a secret investigation into your work, what would they find?

If they looked at your emails, your time card, your work ethic when no one is watching, your attitude toward your boss, how you talk about your competitors—what would the report say? Would they find a person of unimpeachable integrity? Or would they find someone who looks pretty much like everyone else?

3. Do you view your job as a dead-end, or as a divinely appointed platform?

Do you see your workplace as just a place to earn a paycheck, or do you see it as your Babylon—the specific mission field God has placed you in to display His goodness and glory through your excellent and honorable work?

My challenge for us this week is to take that verse from Colossians and put it into practice. Identify one specific way you can approach your work "as for the Lord." Maybe it's praying for wisdom before a difficult meeting. Maybe it's choosing to speak with integrity when others are gossiping. Maybe it’s going the extra mile on a project, not for the praise of man, but to reflect the excellence of our God.

Let’s see our workplaces not as something to be endured, but as a primary place of mission, a stage for the glory of God.

Let's pray.