23/08/2026
*Sermon series: Kindness — when God's character becomes our way of life*
Sermon 3: Kindness in the marketplace
When customer service becomes Kingdom service
Scripture: Luke 6:31 — “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
The workplace is one of the greatest places where our character is tested.
We may speak about kindness in church, but the real question is:
What happens when we walk into the workplace on Monday?
Businesses understand that people matter.
A customer who feels respected is more likely to return.
An employee who feels valued is more likely to contribute.
A team that trusts its leadership is more likely to work together.
That is why organisations invest in customer care, employee relations and service standards.
But for a Christian, kindness must go beyond business strategy.
We don't treat people well only because it is good for business. We treat people well because it is good before God.
People are not transactions
A customer is not simply a sale.
An employee is not simply a salary number.
A supplier is not simply an invoice.
A colleague is not simply someone occupying the desk next to us.
They are people.
And every person deserves dignity.
When we forget that, business becomes mechanical.
When we remember it, business becomes human.
The Christian difference
A company policy may say:
“Treat customers with respect.”
A Christian says:
“I will treat this person with respect because they carry the image of God.”
That difference changes everything.
It changes how we answer the phone.
It changes how we respond to complaints.
It changes how managers speak to employees.
It changes how employees speak to managers.
It changes how we deal with difficult people.
It changes how we treat the person at the bottom of the organisational structure.
Kindness is tested by difficult people
Anyone can be pleasant to a pleasant customer.
The real test comes when the customer is angry.
Anyone can respect a manager who treats them well.
The real test comes when the manager is unfair.
Anyone can work well with a cooperative colleague.
The real test comes when the colleague is difficult.
Jesus did not say, “Treat people well when they are easy to deal with.”
He said:
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
That includes difficult people.
Kindness and excellence belong together
Kindness does not mean poor standards.
A Christian employee should be both kind and excellent.
A Christian manager should be both compassionate and accountable.
A Christian business should be both profitable and ethical.
We don't have to choose between people and performance.
The goal is to create environments where people can experience both dignity and excellence.
A simple workplace test
Before you speak to a customer, colleague or employee, ask three questions:
Would I want to be spoken to this way?
Would I want to be treated this way?
Would Jesus be pleased with the way I am handling this person?
Those three questions can change an entire workplace.
This week's action
Choose one person at work whom you normally overlook.
Greet them.
Listen to them.
Thank them.
Encourage them.
If there is a difficult relationship, take one small step toward repairing it.
Don't wait for the other person to change first.
Be the change you want to experience.
Closing thought
The workplace is not separate from our faith.
Our Christianity must travel with us into the office, the shop, the boardroom, the factory, the classroom and every place where people work.
Customer service can become Kingdom service when people are treated with dignity.
Don't just build successful businesses.
Build businesses where people are respected.
Don't just manage people.
Lead people with dignity.
Don't just serve customers.
Serve people.
Because when kindness enters the marketplace, God's character enters the workplace.
Prayer
Father, help us to represent You in the workplace.
Give us patience with difficult people, wisdom in leadership and humility in service.
Help us to treat every customer, colleague, employee and employer with dignity.
May our workplaces become places where excellence and kindness work together.
In Jesus' name, amen.
