The Bible says in 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 CSB In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.” For we hear that there are some among you who are idle. They are not busy but busy-bodies. Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and to provide for themselves.
Work, what does that word really mean? Well it can mean many things to different people. One person’s definition might be to make money so as not to go hungry. Another might be working solely for a paycheck just to support their family. Another might only work so they can acquire a materially wealthy lifestyle. Now, the biblical definition of work means to labor and to toil.
You see, God designed work from the beginning of creation. In Genesis 2:15 CSB is says The Lord God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it. Our job in the biblical sense is to labor responsibly by taking care of and cultivating the earth and productively contributing to society as a whole.
Now, I know there are people who are not able to work due to a disease or a disability; instead, the folks that I'm talking about are those who are sound minded, able-bodied and able to work but refuse to work because they choose to be lazy or a sloth. I’m also talking about those who earn their living by lying, cheating, and extorting others.
The Bible says in Proverbs 10:2-5 NIV Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value but righteousness delivers from death. The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. Lazy hands make for poverty but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
Also, in Proverbs 13:11 CSB Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle, but whoever earns it through labor will multiply it. The Bible says that lazy people are disgraceful, hungry, and will not be honored. Instead of even working part-time, some individuals refuse to contribute to society by earning their living through corruption, theft, and fraud. They refuse honest hard work and always look for the easy way out. You see, our job is not to cheat and extort others just to have a few extra dollars in our pockets.
Also, our job is not to make money so that we can obtain physical things or store away material wealth. We're also not here on earth just to earn a paycheck, instead our work’s purpose is to work hard, serve others, and to help achieve workplace goals. As workers, we're to use our God given gifts, strengths and talents to help build a productive society. God put us here to work in many different types of jobs and roles. Every job role is equally important in our interconnected society.
Now, as Christians, our work’s purpose is to serve and honor Christ by working ethically, sincerely, and with a good attitude. We're called to respectfully obey our employers and to show fairness and tolerance towards our co-workers. We're also called to put in a full day's work and not to be clock watchers. In Ephesians 6:6 CSB Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing God’s will from your heart. The Bible says that we are to work diligently completing our daily tasks even when our boss is not around.
Lastly, we should not seek gorification and praise from our supervisors but instead to look to God for our reward and heavenly blessings. God is always watching us while we work. If we solely work for God our work will never go unnoticed and unappreciated. Working for God and serving others in our workplaces. This is our job’s purpose. AMEN
