God worked for six days and then he rested to create the world. This has an impact on how we should view the Christian work ethic.

God has clearly spoken about what our work ethic should be if we want to honor him with our lives. Here are three things you need to know:

#1 Work Is a Good Thing

Genesis 2:15 shows us that work was not a part of the curse, but a part of God’s intention for the good life on earth (sin didn’t come until Genesis 3, and that’s when stuff went wrong). Work is not bad, and even Jesus worked. School, sports, volunteering, church service – anything you’re called to do – you should do with all your heart (Proverbs 14:23, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, Ephesians 4:28).

#2 God Has Given Us a Cycle of Work and Rest

The fourth commandment – the “sabbath” commandment – is also about work (Exodus 20:8-11). Six days to work, one to rest: working hard helps us to rest well. Just as laziness is a sin in one extreme, idolizing work is a sin in the other. Stay away from both, and do everything for the glory of God (Colossians 3:17).

#3 Jesus Is Our Rest

Ultimately, Jesus is the only one to work perfectly. We will fail even in our work ethic, but God is faithful. Jesus is perfect, and he offers us salvation – his perfect “sabbath rest.”

Hebrews 4:1-3 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. For we who have believed enter that rest…

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Key Points:

  • Work is a good thing.
  • God has given us a cycle of work and rest.
  • Jesus is our rest.
Talk About It
  1. What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. What’s the best job you’ve ever had? What made it great? What’s the worst one? Why did you dislike it?
  3. Read Ephesians 4:28. List the three commands in this verse, and then give yourself a grade on how well you are doing in each area. Where do you need to grow?
  4. Read Exodus 20:8-11. According to v11, why did God set apart the sabbath day? Do you think the principle still applies today? Explain.
  5. In your personal life, do you need to work harder or rest more? Explain.
  6. Read Hebrews 4:1-3. What do you think it means that we can “rest” because of our faith in Jesus? “Rest” from what?
  7. Write a personal action step based on this conversation.

This is part of the Students 101 series.

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