Four Biblical Truths About Work

God is the Great Worker. He created the heavens and the earth and all His works shall praise Him (Psalm 145:10). And God calls us to work too. He calls us to build and develop things out of His creation. As Christians in the work place we can glorify God through our daily labor whatever it may be.

The Bible is our best source for wisdom and insight into the whys and hows of working. The principles it puts forth are timeless, tested and reliable. Here are four Bible based truths concerning work.

1. Work is a divine calling.

Did you know that God’s first spoken words to mankind were about work? Sure! Here’s what He said, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth (Genesis 1:26).” Raising families and working are divine callings instituted by God from the very beginning. To “subdue” the earth and have “dominion” over it means to exercise control through human effort. It means to create, to build, to produce.

In Genesis 2:15 we read, “Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” We are created in the image of God to work, just as God works. Sin has made work more difficult (Genesis 3:19), but as Christians our work can be redeemed and bring glory to the Lord and good to others. Colossians 3:23, 24 says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”

The reformer, Martin Luther wrote that Christian ministers, “are neither different from other Christians or superior to them, except that they are charged with the administration of the Word of God…but tailors, cobblers, stonemasons, carpenters, innkeepers, farmers…have all been consecrated to their work and office…everyone must benefit and serve others by means of his work…so that in this way many kinds of work may be done for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the community.” Your work matters to God.

2. On the job trials are opportunities to mature in your faith.

As I mentioned above, since the first sin of Adam and Eve, there are trials and troubles in work. The frustrations you may face at work are the modern manifestations of the “Cursed…ground…toil” and “sweat” of Genesis 3. Sin is why jobs are stressful, things don’t work well, relationships are strained and organizations have problems. But these are opportunities for us to work “as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward (Colossians 3:24).” In the face of trials we can be faithful, diligent, kind and supportive. God will reward this behavior. The promise of Romans 8:28 is “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Look at your work trials as training sessions to trust God. Let Him make you more and more like His Son Jesus Christ. Cast all your cares upon God for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

3. Make time to rest.

Our work must not consume all of our time. We are told that God rested in Genesis 2:3 – “God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.” Make time to rest and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Take the time to be with family and friends. Make certain that you have time to worship God with likeminded believers (Hebrews 10:25).

4. The work place is your mission field.

The work place is one of Christianity’s front lines. It is where we can show that Christianity works where the rubber meets the road, that it brings hope and good results wherever it is practiced. In Acts 1:8 Jesus said, “you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” The end of the earth includes where you work!  The Bible says that “we are ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).” You represent Christ to the people with whom you work. Be God’s salt and light (Matthew 5:13) on the job. Befriend people and share the good news with those who are ready to hear. Your work at the office, store, factory or home is an important part of God’s reaching out to the world.

More about work next week.