“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.” — Proverbs 27:23
Lesson
What You Will Learn
- Build a weekly timesheet that calculates hours
- Create an inventory log with reorder alerts using IF
- Build an expense tracker with categories
- Protect formulas from accidental changes
Lesson Notes
Timesheets
Time is stored as a fraction of a day. Hours worked = (End − Start) × 24. Example: *=(C2-B2)24 gives decimal hours. Subtract unpaid breaks, then total the week with SUM. Always record time honestly.
The IF Function
IF makes a decision: =IF(test, value if true, value if false). Inventory example: =IF(C2<5,"Reorder","OK"). Overtime example: =IF(F9>40,F9-40,0).
Expense Trackers
Record Date, Vendor, Category, Description, and Amount. Use a consistent category list (Supplies, Postage, Travel, Food). SUMIF totals one category: =SUMIF(C:C,"Supplies",E:E).
Protecting Your Work
Lock formula cells and use Review > Protect Sheet so others can enter data without breaking formulas. Keep a backup copy before major changes.
Key Terms
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| IF | A function that returns one value if a test is true and another if false |
| SUMIF | Adds values that meet a condition |
| Protect Sheet | Prevents changes to locked cells |
| Decimal hours | Time expressed as a number, e.g., 7.5 hours |
In-Class Activities
Build a Timesheet
Create a Monday–Friday timesheet with Start, End, Break (hours), and Hours Worked. Calculate daily hours and weekly total. Use IF to calculate any overtime over 40 hours.
Reorder Alerts
Add a Status column to your supply table with =IF(Quantity<5,"Reorder","OK"). Test it by changing quantities.
Assignment: Office Operations Workbook
Build a three-tab workbook:
- Timesheet with daily and weekly hours and an overtime formula.
- Inventory with reorder status using IF and conditional formatting.
- Expenses with at least 15 entries and a category summary using SUMIF.
- Protect the Timesheet formulas.
Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.
Reflection Journal
Proverbs 27:23 tells us to know the state of our flocks. Offices depend on people who pay attention to details: supplies, hours, spending. How is attentiveness a form of faithfulness?
Prayer focus: Ask God to make you attentive, honest, and faithful in the details entrusted to you.
Weekly Reading & Devotions
Honest Hours
A timesheet seems simple, but it touches integrity every day. Rounding a few minutes, leaving early without recording it, or asking a friend to clock in for you are forms of time theft, and they can cost you your job and your reputation.
Excel makes honest timesheets easier: =(End−Start)*24 gives accurate hours, and IF formulas calculate overtime correctly. When the numbers are honest and automatic, there's nothing to hide.
Inventory and expense trackers are about stewardship. Knowing what an organization has, what it spends, and when to reorder protects its resources, which often come from donors, taxpayers, or customers.
Proverbs 27:23 says to know the state of your flocks. Office professionals who pay attention to supplies, hours, and spending become trusted and valuable.
Think About It
- Why is honest time recording so important? ______________________
- What would you track in an inventory at a job? ______________________
- How is attentiveness a form of faithfulness? ______________________
Daily Devotions for Week 4
Know the State of Your Flocks
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.— Proverbs 27:23 (KJV)
Attentiveness to details is stewardship.
Reflect: What are you responsible to watch over?
Pray: Lord, make me attentive.
Do: Check one thing you're responsible for.
Provide Things Honest
Provide things honest in the sight of all men.— Romans 12:17 (KJV)
Honesty should be visible to everyone, including on timesheets.
Reflect: Where can your honesty be more visible?
Pray: Lord, make my work honest before all.
Do: Record something accurately today.
The Laborer's Wages
For the labourer is worthy of his hire.— Luke 10:7 (KJV)
Honest work deserves honest pay, and honest pay requires honest hours.
Reflect: How do you feel about fair work and pay?
Pray: Lord, bless my honest work.
Do: Thank God for the ability to work.
Wise Decisions
Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.— Proverbs 16:3 (KJV)
IF formulas make decisions; we commit our decisions to God.
Reflect: What decision are you committing to God?
Pray: Lord, establish my plans.
Do: Pray about one decision.
Guarding Resources
If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?— Luke 16:11 (KJV)
Faithfulness with money prepares us for greater trust.
Reflect: Where can you be more faithful with resources?
Pray: Lord, make me faithful with what You give.
Do: Save or give one small amount this week.
Module Quiz
- 1.
Which formula returns "Reorder" when stock is below 5?
- 2.
To convert Start and End times into decimal hours:
- 3.
SUMIF is used to:
- 4.
Protect Sheet can prevent others from accidentally changing formulas.
- 5.
If an employee worked 44 hours, what does =IF(F9>40,F9-40,0) return?