Work As Christian Duty, Service And Blessing
I grew up being blessed to witness Christian role models who had strong work ethics. My mother got up every day and worked to provide for us. My uncle started businesses and worked as hard as any of his employees. And my first pastor was often seen cleaning around the church to make sure it was presentable and in order. The Bible affirms work in many of its passages, including Genesis 2:15; Exodus 20:9; John 5:17; 9:4; Acts 20:33–35; and 2 Thessalonians 3:6–12. The Bible sees work as service to God, as Christian duty and as a means of blessing and being a blessing. I pray that you would see your work in a new way…through God’s eyes. And embrace His spiritual intent in our lives for work. Amen
The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. (Genesis 2:15)
God placed us in the garden to not only work it, but to care for it. In this way, our work was meant to be our act of service to God. That is our spiritual purpose.
Six days you shall labor and do all your work (Exodus 20:9)
The work ethic was further acknowledged in the Ten Commandments given by God through Moses to Israel. The emphasis on this commandment was on setting apart the Sabbath day and keeping it Holy. The Sabbath was therefore distinguished from the other six days. While the other six days were for work, no work was to be done on the Sabbath.
In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” (John 5:17)
While God rested on the seventh day from His works at creation, Jesus pointed out that God is ever at work in the world. Whether it is sustaining the universe, giving life or visiting judgement upon His creation, God never sleeps nor slumbers. Jesus justified His work on the Sabbath as in line with His Father’s. Thus Jesus was saying that it was not wrong for the Son to do works of grace and mercy on the Sabbath.
As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. (John 9:4)
Jesus was sent on earth to do His Father’s will. Jesus referred to the time allotted for completing His mission as “day”. When that allotted time was over, He would no longer be available to do the works that He was sent to do. The time allotted for Jesus’ works would end with His death.
I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:33–35)
Paul’s work with his own hands allowed him to assist in helping the weak. The saying attributed to Jesus was his justification for urging fellow Christians to do likewise. In that way, our work can be a blessing to others and even bless us through our act of giving.
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:6–12)
Paul admonished those in the Thessalonian church who had abandoned work under the mistaken attitude that it was no longer necessary, they just needed to wait on the Lord’s second coming. He referred instead to his example of work that they saw him doing while he was with them. He didn’t rely on handouts, but instead worked to sustain himself. In that way, he modeled the work ethic that he expected them to adhere to. He even established a rule for the Thessalonians that “the one who is unwilling to work shall not eat”. So upon hearing that some Christians had become idle, disruptive and busybodies, he commanded them to settle down and work to sustain themselves.
Conclusion
From Genesis in the Old Testament to Jesus and then Paul in the New Testament, work is God’s will for us. A good work ethic is seen in the Bible as: Service to God; A means to blessing others who need help; In line with God’s will; And necessary for our own sustenance. Work is integral to life, and for Christians, approaching work as God-given will give it more meaning in our lives.
Blessings, Rev. Glenn
