Work is something we can all relate with. I imagine there are many things that come to mind when we all think of work – a case of the Mondays, counting the time until Friday and the weekend that is coming up, a paycheck, a terrible boss, a great company, downtown, commuting, projects coming up, tasks to be done, dressing up in business clothes…and the list goes on.
For believers, we sometimes think following Jesus is what we do during our time outside of work, when in reality, we can see from Scripture that following Jesus is to be done 24/7, including specifically within the work that we do. God doesn’t make mistakes and isn’t shocked by what you do for a living and has plans to work through you at your job.
If we look at our jobs through God’s eyes, our perspective will quickly change and we’ll see that our work has real purpose. We’ll see how our work benefits the community around us, enriches the city, and how nothing we do for the Lord will be in vain.
Likewise, we’ll be reminded that we are to be faithful disciples. How we spend our time, respect our boss and co-workers, and the attitude we have throughout the week says a lot to the people around us. When we work faithfully and joyfully for The Lord, it stands out in a culture that has lost respect for authority, working hard, or valuing a company’s time.
When we work as if we’re serving The Lord, we’ll impact those around us.
Here is what the Bible has to say with scripture on work:
1 Corinthians 15:58 – Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Colossians 3:23-24 – Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Proverbs 16:3 – Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
1 Corinthians 10:31 – So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
John 6:27 – Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.
Romans 12:11 – Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Titus 3:14 – And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
Ecclesiastes 5:18 – Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot.
Proverbs 10:4 – A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
Proverbs 13:4 – The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
Ecclesiastes 5:12 – Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.
Hebrews 4:9-10 – So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
What does the Bible have to say about other topics?
Feel free to add any additional Scripture to this topic by commenting below.
Amen. Nothing done for God is in vain, and we must proclaim the good news of the cross to our co-workers and friends if they have never heard about Jesus.
Agreed, thanks for sharing Nirman!
Read your current article and thought I would share a story with you about a small men’s group I was in that took on the topic of doing Christs work in the workplace. Mike great job on another relevant topic. A few years ago, the small group I was in was with three other men, all in business for themselves or in a management position, had this as our topic. The theme of the book we used was that Christ did most of his work in the market place. If you look around, there are more opportunities to help people… Read more »
Awesome Alan, great story and thanks so much for sharing!!
Very true Mike, our work is our ministry. Sometimes silent, sometimes verbal. Our actions are seldom unseen at work. Often we are openly ridiculed but secretly approached when their life has turned upside down. Ours is simply to be ready in season and out.
Thanks for sharing Michael. Agreed…I think a lot of people are still thinking that their work doesn’t matter, but God has great purpose in the day to day jobs we are doing!
Quick story Mike, I am a retired Currency Printer for Dept of Treasury. Long hours, 6-7 days a week often. One morning approaching the building entrance in DC I said, “Lord does what I do here make any difference for You?” And as clear as day He said, “Of course, everything you do here has My Name on it. IN GOD WE TRUST. I went to work with a smile on my face that day.
That’s awesome Michael! Great point and amazing to see how quickly God can open our eyes to what He is doing!