— Charles Russell

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

According to the recently released quarterly labour force survey, South African unemployment stands at a staggering 33%. Using the expanded definition (i.e., including those who have abandoned their search for employment due to discouragement), the rate is 43%. Nearly 1 in every 2 people looking for a job cannot find one (for the 33% and the 43%).

Not only is this the worst rate in Africa, where the average unemployment is around 9%, but it is also the highest in the world, equal to eSwatini at 34.4% at Dec-24). South Africa is in a crisis.

Before the Christian is tempted to panic, as many of us are, God is still in control – even in this unemployment pandemic.

One of the most encouraging work-related verses in scripture is Proverbs 22:29: Do you see a man skilful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men. I love this verse because I see it over and over again in the workplace. There are people who stand out for their work ethic. When noticed by their superiors, they are promoted and given expanded responsibilities. We see this in the lives of Joseph and of Daniel, both promoted to the highest level of government as they worked heartily as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23).

How does that relate to the unemployment crisis in South Africa?

In a country of almost 42 million adults, 17 million people are formally or informally employed. This means that there are jobs available in the country, albeit fewer per capita than in other countries. I also believe, based on scripture, that these jobs are available for those who possess skills and work with a biblical work ethic.

Let’s get practical. If you are unemployed, what are the steps to follow:

1. Remain faithful in all other spheres. Unemployment is not an excuse to grumble about BEE or “white privilege”. Nor is it a licence for failure to be faithful in all other areas of your life. Instead, you are to remain steadfast through this God-ordained trial. Are you in the Word and in prayer daily (Colossians 3:16)? Are you loving your wife (Ephesians 5:25)? Are you bringing up your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4)? Are you regular in church attendance (Hebrews 10:25)? Are you serving in your local church body (1 Peter 4:10)? Faithfulness in these areas indicates an eagerness to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, to which the Lord Jesus promises no lack of needs (Matthew 6:33).
2. Pray. Are you tempted to work your way through this practical list in your own strength, or are you reliant on the Lord? The fervency and content of your prayers will reveal a lot about how you view God and your level of trust in Him during your unemployment. Even in the trial, you can adore Christ and be thankful to Him.
3. Get your CV out there. Connect your set of skills and experience with an employer who requires what you have to offer. It should be visually appealing and to-the-point. Simply sending an email to a generic HR email address is not enough. Visit the business. Meet people working there. It is far harder for a prospective employer to ignore you if you show up at their offices. Too many Christians send CVs out and wait slothfully for a reply.
4. Skill up. You might find that in drafting your CV, you lack commercial skills. Many Christians wasted their younger years and now find themselves unemployable because they failed to learn relevant skills at either a university, a trade school or via an apprenticeship. It is not too late, but it is much harder as you get older and have more dependents and commitments. Young people, while you still have the safety net of your parents’ home, make every effort to gather skills. Try new things. Find something that you are passionate about and learn how to monetise it.
5. Work. You were created to work. This was part of God’s pre-fall design for man. In your unemployment, you should continue to work and foster good habits. Go to sleep and rise early, keep a good routine and guard against doom-scrolling. Unemployment is not an excuse for laziness. Perhaps you could volunteer for work at your church? Volunteer for work at a prospective employer – perhaps your Godly work ethic may cause you to shine in comparison to other “less zealous” employees? Are you prepared to work outside your existing field? Could you turn a hobby into a small business? Is this an opportunity to start your own business?
6. Live within your means. While this may be obvious, you need to drastically reduce your spending while looking for new employment. Is there anything that you can sell? Whatever you do, do not take additional debt during this time – it will only make matters worse.

Notwithstanding South Africa’s unemployment crisis, a Godly work ethic pleases the Lord and causes the Christian to stand out in a country where grumbling, laziness and entitlement are rife.