Some work to live, others live to work. But God designed work for a higher purpose. Created in God’s image, we’re designed to work as He worked in creation, showcasing His skill as an engineer, chemist, mechanic, & artist. After 6 days, God rested—not from exhaustion, but to model a rhythm of purposeful labor & rest.
As soon as He created Adam & Eve, God gave them work in the Garden. But after sinning, Adam’s punishment was that the ground itself would be cursed so that through painful toil, & the sweat of his brow, he would eat of it. The curse was not work itself, but having to do lawn work! Seriously, the curse was that work from then on would be difficult & frustrating.
Work is more than a means to survive—it’s a God-given mandate with significance. Scripture tells us that our labor serves important purposes. First, it supplies our own needs. The Apostle Paul commanded: “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat” (2 Thess. 3:10-12). If you’re idle, work to earn your own living. God provided free manna in the wilderness, but that was a temporary emergency measure. Unless unable to work, we’re not to expect such handouts. And even then, charity is not an entitlement.
But doesn’t everyone have a “right” to food, water, shelter, health care, etc.? No. We have the right to access those things—to be able to afford them through work. The Declaration of Independence recognizes that our God-given rights are simply to life, liberty (free in person, not free resources), & the pursuit of happiness—that is, the right to acquire work opportunities & resources. When a person demands a right to the fruits of someone else’s labor—whether from a farmer, builder, or doctor—then that worker & the taxpayers must be forced into a kind of slavery to produce that service.
Work is for the purpose of voluntarily serving others. It extends beyond raw self-interest because we’re to work in order to share with those in genuine need (Eph. 4:28). Sometimes our income allows us to contribute charitably to help others directly. But work itself blesses others indirectly since your labor provides resources for purchase. As Christians, we reject materialism & consumerism, recognizing that our work’s purpose transcends paychecks & perks. Work is more than private enterprise.
Most of all, our work glorifies God. Some might see Sundays as the time for spirituality, and Monday to Friday as the “real world.” But work isn’t merely a secular task; it’s an act of worship. We do our work well because we’re working for the Lord (Col. 3:23). Whether you own a business, punch a clock, or work from home, your labor is God’s business—He’s the owner & boss; you’re the manager. Every task, no matter how small, can reflect His glory when done with purpose & excellence. We’re also to glorify Him with the fruits of our labor (Prov. 3:9).
These purposes compel us to work with integrity. Your work is a commentary on your character. We avoid jobs that are illegal or immoral. Some are clearly wrong, others may be less obvious. For example, as a teenager, I went to apply for a job at an ice cream shop that also sold a few grocery items. But when I noticed pornographic magazines for sale behind the counter, I knew that I could not in good conscience do that, so I walked out. If you become convicted that you’re involved in work contrary to God’s will, begin to look for a way out. Don’t waste your life in a job that’s not in partnership with God.
But even in a good job, you might find yourself in an atmosphere of corruption. I truly admire the people I’ve known who have quit their jobs rather than do the deceitful things their bosses wanted them to do. Employers & employees alike are called to fairness & honesty. God hears the lies told to customers to cover mistakes & cut corners. God heard the groans of the Israelites in Egyptian bondage, & still hears the cries of mistreated & exploited workers (James 5:4). He sees when employers oppress or underpay (Luke 10:7).
Meanwhile, employees should respect authority & strive for excellence because we’re working for the Lord (Eph. 6:5-8, Prov. 18:9). While the labor movement certainly brought more justice & benefits to the workplace, it has also at times fostered laziness & poor-quality work. Good workers resent having to pull the weight of bad workers. Shouldn’t Christians strive to be the best workers because it reflects on our faith?
God sees the petty theft in the workplace even if your boss doesn’t. Christians should avoid common practices like arriving late to work, taking excessive breaks, & padding expense accounts. It may be “the way of the world,” but we belong to another world where there’s a higher standard. The world’s business ethic may be “do whatever it takes to get ahead,” but Christians work by a higher standard. Can you picture Jesus as a carpenter doing shoddy work? God deserves our best.
Your job may not be the best in the world, but it’s also not the worst. It enables you to glorify God as you meet life’s needs & serve others. Be thankful & do it well…at least until you can get a better one (Ecc. 9:10).