Occupation or Preoccupation?

In a society enamored with the gain and worship of money and luxury, debasement of the vocation can be the only result. Even though money is a necessity in life, occupations are a tool to express the worker as a person, as well as to express his beliefs. This requires a proper attitude and outlook on life and on one’s occupation. With a preoccupation for money, careers are no longer places to enjoy their passions, and an enjoyed, proper occupation is essential in a healthy, well-rounded life. Although some believe that one's career is merely an outlet for money to support a family, having a job one feels called to and enjoys is essential, because in a career based solely on gain, the worker’s mindset is wrong, and the quality of his work will be hindered.

Though money is a very important commodity in life, the true career is a means of fulfillment, not with riches, but a means of bringing satisfaction to the worker. People should not devote their lives to vocation merely for the gain of money, but more for the fulfillment of the soul. When focused solely on the gain of money, all else is ignored. The thought of what to do with the next paycheck dominates the mind. A few weeks later, the money is gone, and the mind of the worker is now focused on the next payday. Money is a temporary means of fulfillment, unlike emotional satisfaction. Using your career for something that makes you happy for a week or two instead of what gives you fulfillment every day you are working is not logical. For example, it would not be wise for someone who disliked his job to keep it just because he gained a certain amount of money from it. Sayers explains that people commonly believe, falsely, that, "work is not the expression of man's creative energy in the service of society, but only something he does in order to obtain money and leisure" (Creed or Chaos 52). This example points out a major problem in common thought about occupations. The worker’s creative energy is lost when he approaches and uses his career in this manner. It is this energy that helps man to express his feelings, and with the loss of creative energy, work is downsized to an outlet that feeds greed and laziness. Because of the lack of fulfillment this outlet causes, not even money or leisure can keep the occupant of this career satiated.

Furthermore, by placing oneself in an enjoyable occupation, satisfaction is gained very easily. Vocations are institutions where one may establish a position that allows man to express himself creatively, as well as serve God in and through his work. Sayers tells us that, "At present we have no clear grasp of the principle that every man should do the work for which he is fitted by nature" (Creed 74). For example, a man could decide that he wanted to be a painter. Instead of listening to his dream or what he believes God is calling him to, he may listen to the modern day Church, and end up as a pastor. He might have had the potential to paint some of the most beautiful works of art in the world, yet, because he chose to listen to other men instead of what he believed and what he believed God was telling him, he would never know what his full potential