The 12 Rules of Life · How We Labor
Mission
"Every Slifka is called to work with excellence, integrity, and eternal purpose."
How We Labor
Work & Calling
"Every Slifka is called to work with excellence, integrity, and eternal purpose."
Work is not a curse — it is a calling. God worked before the Fall, and He called us to work as an act of worship and stewardship. The Slifka family approaches every vocation — whether in business, ministry, the home, or the marketplace — as a sacred assignment from God.
The 12 Codes of Mission
1. Work as Worship
All honorable work is a way to glorify God. There is no sacred-secular divide. Whether we are building a business or raising a child, we do it as unto the Lord.
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."
— Colossians 3:23
2. Excellence
We do everything as unto the Lord — with skill, care, and a commitment to quality that reflects the character of our God.
"Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings."
— Proverbs 22:29
3. Integrity
We maintain absolute honesty in all business dealings. Our word is our bond. We do not cut corners, shade the truth, or compromise our ethics for profit.
"The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them."
— Proverbs 11:3
4. Servant Leadership
We lead by serving others and adding value. The greatest leaders are the greatest servants. We build people, not just businesses.
"Whoever would be great among you must be your servant."
— Matthew 20:26
5. Diligence
We work hard and avoid laziness or complacency. Diligence is not driven by fear — it is fueled by love for God and care for those who depend on us.
"The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor."
— Proverbs 12:24
6. Calling over Career
We seek God's specific assignment for our lives — not just a job that pays well, but a calling that matters eternally.
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
— Ephesians 2:10
6. Restorative Impact
We use our work to bring order, beauty, and justice to the world. We are sub-creators, reflecting the creative and redemptive nature of God in our vocations.
"The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it."
— Genesis 2:15
6. Continuous Growth
We are always learning and improving our skills. Stagnation is a form of unfaithfulness. We steward our abilities by developing them.
"An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge."
— Proverbs 18:15
6. Generosity in Business
We treat employees, partners, and customers with exceptional grace. Our businesses are platforms for blessing, not merely profit.
"Do to others as you would have them do to you."
— Luke 6:31
6. Rest Boundaries
We work hard but fiercely protect Sabbath and family time. We refuse to let work become an idol that devours what matters most.
"It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep."
— Psalm 127:2
6. Resilience
We trust God through failures, setbacks, and economic trials. We do not define ourselves by our results — we define ourselves by our faithfulness.
"For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again."
— Proverbs 24:16
6. Kingdom Fruit
We measure success not just by profit, but by spiritual and eternal impact. We ask not only 'Did we succeed?' but 'Did we advance the kingdom?'
"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
— Matthew 6:33