The Bible is an ancient code of culture and history, including ideas about work. It has passed generations of wisdom about the way we should work and the implications of work in our lives. It offers insight into our human purpose in relation to work and its affects. So, what does the Bible say about working?
The Bible offers a detailed narrative on the importance of work. In the Genesis account, we read that God worked to create the world, ‘God saw all that he had made, and it was very good’. This illustrates that work was as central to God as it is for us, and sets the standard for active appreciation of work by all believers. Throughout the Bible there are countless examples of people working, such as Joseph, Daniel and Esther. In Ecclesiastes 5:18–19, it states ‘This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot’. This verse reaffirms that God appreciates those who work for their living.
While work is an admirable trait, the Bible also contains cautionary notes about the potential of work to make us discontent. We’ve all heard the proverb that money can’t buy happiness, and the Bible gives several examples of wealthy men as cautionary tales. For example, in Luke 12, Jesus warns ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions’. In other words, Jesus reminds us that hard work is useful and valuable, but it is not a path to ultimate happiness.
The Bible also offers guidelines and advice for how we should relate to our work. Colossians 3:22–23 says ‘Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.’ This passage speaks for itself. Work is a way to honor the Lord with our commitment and passion. We do our best work when it is done with mindfulness and purpose. We must strive to bring this same level of intention into our daily work, so that we can glorify God through our labor.
As Christians, our faith calls us to align our values with our actions. This may mean that our jobs require us to make hard decisions and work in situations where we find ourselves at odds with our values. The Bible is full of people like Joseph, Daniel, and Esther who were able to confront difficult and dangerous situations. The Bible doesn’t support easy, comfortable routes, but instead encourages us to remain firm in our convictions and faithfully carry out the tasks God has given us, no matter the circumstance.
Ultimately, the Bible offers us clear instructions and examples specific to our work life. It’s not a burden, but rather another way we can follow God, rely on Him, and glorify Him. Our work is precious in the eyes of God and He desires for us to use it to honor Him. This does not have to mean quitting our jobs, but often it does mean transforming our hearts to use our careers for His purposes.
What Does The Bible Say About Integrity in Work?
Integrity in work is an important part of the Christian faith. The Bible calls for believers to act with the utmost integrity in regard to their work. This requires adherence to a moral code and understanding of right and wrong. In Proverbs 11:3 it states ‘The integrity of the upright guides them but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity’. This means that true believers are honest and steadfast in their jobs, whereas those who do not uphold their moral standards will be judged.
Every job has the potential to be a platform to do good in the world, and the Bible calls us to leverage our work to make the world a better place. This calling begins with having the courage to speak up when others in the workplace are violating moral principles. We must have the conviction to call out injustice, stand up for the neglected, and extend help to those in need. That is what the Bible teaches us about integrity in our work.
It is not easy as at times it conflicts with our values and with what the people around us might be doing, especially when the risks seem overwhelming. We may be tempted to ‘hide in the crowd’ and not take a stand. However, it is important to remember that in seasons of testing and trials, God is with us and He rebuilds our courage. We must remember that He desires us to do what is right, no matter the circumstances.
Integrity is not a single event, but an ongoing process. No matter how hard it may be, we must be called to continually pursue God’s heart in our work to the best of our abilities. This requires understanding His will and walking in obedience to His commands. It requires that when the going gets tough we don’t back down because of reward or recognition, but because it is the right thing to do.
Integrity in business is essential in all aspects of our life, and the Bible provides us with wise counsel to follow in our professional lives. To honour God with our decisions and actions, we must hold fast to our moral convictions and speak with courage when we have the opportunity to do so. That is the lesson of integrity in work.
What Does The Bible Say About Working To Give?
The Bible encourages us to work in order to be generous and contribute to others. This can include giving financially, but it also involves other forms of giving such as donating our time and talents. The Bible teaches us that when our hearts are filled with compassion, we can use our resources to help others. In 2 Corinthians 9:7 it states ‘Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.’ This verse reminds us that when we choose to give out of a willing and generous heart, God will bless our efforts.
It’s important for Christian believers to remember that our financial resources are not our own. We are called to use our wealth to love and serve others, not to hoard it for ourselves. Jesus showed us an example of the power of giving back in the New Testament. He intentionally healed the sick, shared his food with the hungry, and provided shelter to the homeless. A passage in Matthew 25:35 reads ‘I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…’ Jesus here gives us a clear example of our mission to use our resources to meet the needs of others.
This doesn’t mean that we are all called to give our lives away in service. We can use our work as a platform to make a difference as well. We can use our positions to lift up others and work for the good of all people. This could include using our access or privilege for the cause of justice, or simply using our position to take action and make the world a better place.
God calls us to use our resources to bless others and to make a difference in the world. He desires for us to use our work to further the Kingdom of Heaven — to lift up those in need, walk alongside the oppressed, and help the marginalized. We can have a positive and lasting impact by using our work to bring glory to God by giving to others.
What Does The Bible Say About Working For Your Own Needs?
The Bible states that one of the primary reasons we should work is to pay our own bills, meet the needs of our families, take care of our selves, and provide food, shelter, and basic amenities. We find guidance regarding this issue in many places in the Bible. For example, in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 it states ‘For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat”. This verse is clear – if we can work, we have a responsibility to support our own selves.
It is important to note that the Bible does not suggest that we are to strive for wealth. In fact, we are commanded to only use what we have for the Lord’s sake and not to be prideful or selfish with our money. In 1 Timothy 6:10 it states ‘For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs’. This verse warns us to watch our hearts and motivations in order to prevent the negative consequences of loving money.
The Bible is clear on the point that we should provide for our own needs. We do this by working, and the Bible provides us with several examples of men and women who are depicted as hard-working. We should diligently strive to earn and keep a job, and work tirelessly to maintain our income potential. It is also important to remember that although it is our job to provide our own resources, it is not necessarily our job to maintain our own accomplishments. We should be open to relying on God to provide for us, so we can focus on glorifying Him through our work.
What Does The Bible Say About Working To Influence Others?
The Bible inspires us to use our work to bring honor and glory to God. We are God’s workmanship, created to do good works in His kingdom. The Bible speaks to this in Ephesians 2:10 ‘For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do’. Through our work, we can influence those around us and be a light in the darkness.
We can be a testimony of God’s love and use our work lives to share our faith with others in a powerful way. For example, we can volunteer our time in community outreach activities, such as feeding the homeless or working in a food bank. Our work can be the way that others encounter Jesus for the first time and come to an understanding of who He is. We can use our vocation as a powerful witness to the grace of God.
We can also use our work to create safe and loving environments where people can realize their spiritual potential. This means being intentional with our speech and actions and living as examples to others. We can also invest our energies into building relationships with our colleagues and engaging in conversations about faith and spiritual matters.
The Bible calls us to use our work lives to influence others and share the gospel. We do not have to go on a mission trip to be a witness of God’s love, nor do we need to quit our jobs to make a difference in the world. We can simply take our roles seriously, faithfully rely on God, and use our professional lives as a powerful tool for evangelism.
