Most of us spend a lot of time at work. As a student, your work might be school. As a mom, your work might be mainly at home. Why do go to work? Just for the money? To make a mark or gain power? The Bible helps us understand why we work, and how to do our work. We win at work when we learn how to maximize the full potential of labor to honor God.
Winning at work was always part of God’s plan.
The Bible defines several worthwhile purposes for work. We work to provide for our families. We work to have something to help others in need.
1 Timothy 5:8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith.
Ephesians 4:28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
But labor has an even greater purpose. It’s part of the mission God gave humanity at creation.
Genesis 1:26-28 God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them, male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
The greatest purpose of work is to bring out the full potential of God’s creation. The world was good (Genesis 1:31), but it was not complete. God called humans to help it become everything it could become. He commissioned us to act in his image – as his managers – to rule and subdue the raw materials of creation. For example, we tame livestock, purify raw ore into metal, grow plants to feed people, and much more. This is why God put Adam to work in the Garden of Eden.
Genesis 2:15 The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.
Sadly, work was marred by the entry of sin into the world. In Genesis 1, God invented work. In Genesis 2, God put Adam to work. In Genesis 3, God told Adam that because of his rebellion:
Genesis 3:17-19 Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made.
Work became a struggle against obstacles. Work is hard! But work itself remains noble and has incredible dignity. Work reflects the image and creativity and effort of God. Work still helps to fulfill the design and destiny of God’s creation. That’s why it’s important to think about how to win when we go to work.
We win at work by working hard at everything we do.
It’s not just that work is worthwhile, but hard work is a virtue.
2 Thessalonians 3:7-8 You know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you.
Paul set an example, always working hard and pulling his weight. Along with his example, he made it clear that idleness and lack of effort amount to sponging off of others:
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.
God set up a balance between work and rest.
Exodus 34:21 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working, even during the seasons of plowing and harvest.
Some people need to know when to get to work. Others need to know when to take a break. But on the whole, working hard is a win.
We win at work by respecting our leaders.
No matter where you work, you have to be subject to authority. That’s the way God made the world. Even if you’re the boss, you’re still subject to government authority.
Ephesians 6:5-7 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Of course, the economy of labor is different today than then. But these verses speak to anyone who works for someone else. When he talks about “respect and fear”, that’s not physical fear, but showing deference. In practice this means the integrity to work hard even when the boss is not watching. It means working whole-heartedly. As Chrisians, we do this because we serve Jesus, not just some earthly boss. So respect for our leaders at work expresses respect for Jesus.
We win at work by cooperating with others.
Your work is not just about you. Very few people work in complete isolation. So success at work comes from a team attitude. That takes humility.
1 Corinthians 3:5-8 After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.
Paul realized he couldn’t do it alone. Apollos was just as needed. They had different roles, but both worked together toward the same purpose.
Learning to win at work will help you to win at life.
God built work into the fabric of the created world, so work has good results.
Proverbs 28:19 A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.
But work is meaningful even if you don’t get famous or rich, because you are fulfilling your created design. You are drawing forth the potential of God’s good creation.
Discussion Questions:
- Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
- What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
- What is the toughest or the most thankless job you’ve ever had?
- What are some biblical purposes of work? (See The Purpose of Work.)
- Read Genesis 1:27. How do the ideas of governing and reigning over the earth apply to work? How does this make sense for people – like students or homemakers – who aren’t employed in the workforce?
- Read Genesis 3:17-19. How does the entry of sin into the world change the nature and meaning of work?
- Why is it important to work hard and not live off of others?
- How should the biblical view of work affect our thinking about retirement?
- Read Ephesians 6:7. How might it change your workplace if people worked “for the Lord?” How might it change how you do your job?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
