Biblical Answer

The Bible's Teaching on Work

The Bible teaches that work is a sacred gift from God, and it is an essential part of our calling as humans. In Colossians 3:23-24, Paul exhorts believers to put their hearts into their work, seeing themselves as working for the Lord, not for any human master. This means that work is not just a necessary evil, but it is a way to glorify God and serve others. As we work, we should remember that we are not just working for ourselves, but for the Lord.

The Bible also teaches that work is a calling, and it is not just a means to an end. In Psalm 90:17, the prayer is that God would give his favor to the work of our hands, indicating that work is a sacred gift that is bound up with our priestly calling. This means that we should take pride in our work and strive to do it to the best of our ability. As Ecclesiastes 9:9-10 says, "Live happily with the wife whom you love all the days of your fleeting life, which he has given you under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom."

The Bible also teaches that our work should be done with a sense of purpose and intentionality. In 1 Thessalonians 2:8 and 2 Thessalonians 3:8, Paul says that he worked hard to support himself and others, so that he could devote himself to the gospel. This means that we should be intentional about how we use our time and energy, and we should strive to make a positive impact in the world through our work. As 1 Timothy 5:17-18 says, "The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For Scripture says, 'Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,' and 'The worker deserves his wages.'" This means that we should be compensated fairly for our work, and we should strive to do our work with excellence. I learned this early in life.