Malachi 3:3 “He [God] will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.”

The prophet uses a manufacturing process to describe how God will change the lives of the priesthood. God is going to “turn up the heat” to get rid of the impurities.

Principle: Bring positive change in the workplace but do it carefully. Make changes without destroying people.

This is an internet story passed on to me by a friend and I verified it with a jewelry manufacturer. Silver needs to be held in the hottest part of the flame to burn away impurities. The “refiner” needs to watch it carefully. Overheating will destroy it. Evidence of the silver being fully refined is that the refiner can see his own image in it when it is ready to be pulled out of the flame. It is a beautiful analogy to God as refiner.

In a business context, “turning up the heat” to bring about change is a fair practice, with certain qualifications. Do not make it too hot. Monitor the process but do not hope that everyone will come out looking like you. Instead, your goal is to help them become better versions of the person God wants them to be. To use this practice well, you must know your employees and how they are motivated. This will require more than a “one size fits all” approach. And be ready with encouragement and grace. Change is never easy, but it can be life changing.

Discussion:

1. Have you been encouraged to make a change in your life? How did you receive that, and what was the result?

2. Who will you gently and graciously walk alongside in order to see positive change in their life?