By Rachel Loe, June 17, 2024

A while ago I was in a conversation with a friend of mine about performance reviews. I observed that believers are more uncomfortable asking for a raise or negotiating a pay increase than are my secular peers. Why is that? What is it about having a conversation about an increase in pay with an employer or potential employer that makes us so uncomfortable? Is it that we strive to rely on the Lord for all our needs, and asking for something from another person seems wrong? Do we feel we are falling into the trap of little faith when we take matters into our own hands?

We know the “love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10 ESV). Avoiding evil is a good and healthy protective barrier for a Christian. The danger, however, is that this view can be taken to its extreme, and we shun and avoid everything in the material world.

Jesus instructed His followers to be in the world but not of it.  He set up a Kingdom economy in which His people help to fund the spread of the gospel message by effectively using wealth as a tool for achieving that goal.  Acts 16:40 tells us about Lydia, who was a seller of purple cloth.  Purple cloth was one of the most lucrative businesses in the first century.  Lydia, along with Priscilla and Aquila (Romans 16:3,5), Nympha (Colossians 4:15), and Philemon and Apphia (Philemon 1:1-2) all supported the early church by funding Kingdom work and opening their homes as meeting places.

There are over 100 verses speaking about “a workman being worthy of his wages,” including (1 Timothy 5:18 ESV). Yes, dear believer, we can confidently say that it is appropriate for us to ask for a raise when it is earned. So, how do we approach this conversation in a Christlike manner?

1. Check your heart.
Before entering this conversation, ask yourself, what is your heart’s intention? Are you seeking a raise to satisfy your personal pleasure? Is this a power play? Are you seeking a raise from a place of humility and obedience to God?

2. Evaluate your own work performance.

Be honest with yourself. Have you truly followed Colossians 3:23 (NIV): “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters?” Gather the real data that proves your work. What value have you added in pursuit of the company’s goals? Have you taken on additional responsibilities that are invaluable to the organization?

3. Be Confident and Humble.

When you are in the conversation, be confident in the body of work you have provided but recognize the source of your gifts and abilities. God has gifted us uniquely (1 Corinthians 12:4-7; Psalm 139:14), and He is to receive the praise and glory for it.

4. Hold the results with an open hand.

We are called to obey the Lord in all things (1 John 5:3) and do all things as unto Him. The Proverbs of Solomon are filled with practical outcomes that come from godly and wise living because God built this world in a logical way. The end result, however, is in His hands entirely. We serve a sovereign Lord, who loves us and works all things for our good (Romans 8:28). We can trust God and follow the example Paul laid out in Philippians 4:12 (ESV), “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”