Biblical Answer

The question of whether God intended for us to work is a complex one, especially when considering the Book of Job. On one hand, the book suggests that God thrusts people into situations that challenge their faith and cause them to enter into a life of naked faith. However, this does not necessarily mean that God intended for people to work in a way that is separate from His sovereignty. In fact, the Bible teaches that God has made provision for us to do good works, which He prepared in advance for us to do (Eph. 2:8-10). This suggests that God has a purpose for us, and that our work is a part of that purpose.

The Bible also teaches that God works in us to equip us for every good work (Phil. 2:13). This means that God is actively involved in our lives, guiding our desires and inclinations, and working in us to will and to work for His good pleasure. This is not a coercive or external process, but rather a noncoercive one that brings about our decision to follow Him. The Bible also teaches that we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works (Eph. 2:10). This suggests that our purpose is to serve God and to do His work, rather than simply to work for our own benefit.

Ultimately, the question of whether God intended for us to work is not as complex as it seems. The Bible teaches that our work is a part of God's purpose for us, and that He is actively involved in our lives, guiding and equipping us for every good work. Rather than seeing our work as separate from God's sovereignty, we should see it as a way in which we can serve Him and fulfill His purpose for our lives. As the Bible says, "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men" (Col. 3:23). This means that we should approach our work with a sense of purpose and meaning, knowing that it is a part of God's plan for our lives.