{"id":1339,"date":"2013-12-20T05:35:17","date_gmt":"2013-12-20T12:35:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davidrupert\/?p=1339"},"modified":"2013-12-20T05:35:17","modified_gmt":"2013-12-20T12:35:17","slug":"gifts-for-your-b","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davidrupert\/gifts-for-your-b\/","title":{"rendered":"The Perfect Gift for Your Boss (Who’s Probably the Last Person on the List)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Christmastime, despite the cheer and goodwill to all, is often full of uncertainty when it comes to gifts. Especially challenging is that awkward tradition of exchanging gifts in the workplace. We\u2019ve all received \u2014 and given \u2014 our share of tins of chocolates, mugs and ties. What did you get this week?<\/em><\/p>\n

And giving to managers is particularly tricky. If you gave anything to the boss\u00a0for this Christmas, the gift was probably\u00a0minimal and even forgettable. After all, you don\u2019t want to give the appearance\u00a0that you\u2019re trying to\u00a0sway the end-of-year performance report with\u00a0a gift certificate. There\u2019s a better solution.<\/p>\n

Those of us who live under a\u00a0Higher Calling<\/a>\u00a0understand that\u00a0true\u00a0gifts\u00a0can\u2019t be bought \u2013 instead we value intangible presents that serve a different purpose with eternal rewards.<\/p>\n

\"redbow\"<\/p>\n

Here are five\u00a0gifts that your boss, deep down, really wished you had given.<\/p>\n

Show up and be on time<\/strong>\u00a0There is nothing more maddening than the employee who is habitually clock unaware. She shows up five minutes late, and then goes to the bathroom right away to finish her makeup. He\u2019s late returning from lunch and then slinks out early at the end of the day. And how about those sick calls?\u00a0\u201cWell done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.\u00a0Matt. 25:21<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Work hard<\/strong>\u00a0You are paid a wage to do a job. In this economy, few of has a right to squawk about a raise of more benefits. Your old dungy office should seem a little brighter simply because you have a paycheck. Look at the newspapers and talk to your friends who are unemployed. Every one of them would take your place in a second.\u00a0\u201cWhatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,<\/em>knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.\u201d\u00a0Col. 3.23<\/a><\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Have a good attitude<\/strong>\u00a0The office\u00a0Eeyore<\/a>\u00a0is a real drag. Like the melancholic, pessimistic donkey that was a depressing friend of Winnie-the-Pooh, his person always looks at the dark side of every situation. Disaster is always looming. Coworkers are always scheming against them. Reports are always flawed. The temperature is too hot \u2013 or too cold. The sky is always falling. There\u2019s nothing worse than a person who never can see the good in any situation.\u00a0\u201cWhatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things\u201d\u00a0Philippians 4:8<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Show a little respect<\/strong>\u00a0You don\u2019t have to be buddies with the boss. You don\u2019t have to be chummy. You don\u2019t even have to \u201clike\u201d him. But we are all called to be respectful. The spirit of disrespect comes out in a thousand little ways, each one cutting its way into office harmony. You say the boss hasn\u2019t earned your respect? We are really without excuse. We are called to something much greater.\u00a0\u201cBe subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and the gentle but also to the unjust.\u201d\u00a01 Peter 2.18.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Get along<\/strong>\u00a0There is nothing more exhausting to your boss than petty differences between the employees. All day long, he has to handle expectations of upper management, complaints of customers and personnel management. The last thing he wants to hear is another quarrel between employees.\u00a0As Christians, we need to quit the quibbling with coworkers.\u00a0\u201cWe ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.\u201d\u00a01 Th 5:12-13<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

To\u00a0all the bosses out there, sorry about the mug we gave you. We\u2019ll do better this year.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Show a little respect You don\u2019t have to be buddies with the boss. You don\u2019t have to be chummy. You don\u2019t even have to \u201clike\u201d him. But we are all called to be respectful. The spirit of disrespect comes out in a thousand little ways, each one cutting its way into office harmony. You say the boss hasn\u2019t earned your respect? We are really without excuse. We are called to something much greater. \u201cBe subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and the gentle but also to the unjust.\u201d 1 Peter 2.18.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2375,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1339","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Perfect Gift for Your Boss (Who's Probably the Last Person on the List)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We\u2019ve all received \u2014 and given \u2014 our share chocolate tins, mugs and ties. 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