Work is an important theme that runs throughout the Bible. In fact, in the first verses of the Bible we see God creating, forming the universe and organizing chaos with his voice and with his actions. In other words, we see God at work.
God, in the beginning, created the heavens and the earth. The earth was in total chaos, darkness covered the abyss, and the Spirit of God moved on the surface of the waters. And God said: “Let there be light!” And the light came into existence. God considered the light to be good and separated it from the darkness. He called the light “day”, and the darkness “night”. And the night came, and the morning came: that was the first day.
(Genesis 1:1-5)
God’s Perspective on Work:
In that same chapter of Genesis we read about the moment when God created the human being. Unlike the rest of creation, the human being was created in the image of God and with a special purpose: collaborate with God in the care and administration of everything created. That was the specific work that God entrusted to man.
And God created the human being in his image; he created him in the image of God. Male and female he created them, and he blessed them with these words: “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; dominate the fish of the sea and the birds of the sky, and all the creeping things that creep on the ground.”
(Genesis 1:27-28)
Therefore, contrary to what some think, work is neither a punishment nor a curse. It is a divine commission which is based on the great responsibility of caring for and managing well what God created. He entrusted the human being with the care of all creation. And God entrusted to man the cultivation and care of the garden before man sinned.
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and care for it.
(Genesis 2:15)
It is true that, after the human being sinned, the work became heavier. The cultivation of the land, essential work for the survival of man, requires more effort. Along with the fruits, the land began to produce thistles and thorns.
To the man he said:
“Because you listened to your wife, and ate from the tree from which I forbade you to eat, cursed is the ground because of you! With hard work you will eat of it all the days of your life. The land will bring you thistles and thorns, and you will eat wild herbs. You will earn your bread with the sweat of your brow, until you return to the same land from which you were taken. For dust you are, and to dust you will return.
(Genesis 3:17-19)
Being able to work is still an idea of God designed for our well-being. But the entrance of sin in the world brought as a consequence that the benefits of work are received through sweat and effort. What should have been mostly enjoyable became drudgery, harder to do. However, that does not imply that it is a curse.
Work itself is still a good thing, a special opportunity to use our gifts and talents as we partner with God in caring for creation. Let us not ignore the importance of our work.
Do you know your gifts? The gifts of the Holy Spirit: what they are, their meaning and how to use them
The balance between work and rest
Although God places great importance on work, he also emphasizes the need to rest. In this, too, he gave us an example. During creation God worked 6 days, but on the seventh day he took it to rest and enjoy his work. We must follow his example and make sure that work does not consume all our energy and become the center of our existence. It is important to take time to rest, to regain strength.
When the seventh day arrived, God rested because he had finished the work he had undertaken. God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because on that day he rested from all his creative work.
(Genesis 2:2-3)
Our rest is so important to God that it is one of the ten commandments:
Remember the Sabbath, to consecrate it. Work six days, and do everything you have to do on them, but the seventh day will be a day of rest to honor the Lord your God.
(Exodus 20:8-10a)
The day of rest should be a day of physical and spiritual renewal, a day in which we enjoy the change of pace and replenish physical and spiritual strength. When we disobey God in this, our body, our family, and our relationship with the Father suffer. Let us be obedient and keep the Sabbath day holy.
Learn more about the 10 commandments and their meaning
Jesus and work:
Jesus’ life was a life that included a wide variety of jobs. Let’s look at some verses that reflect the importance that Jesus gave to work and the balance that he sought between work and rest.
1. Jesus was present and worked during creation
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, because through him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, be they thrones, powers, principalities or authorities: everything has been created by means of him and for him. He is prior to all things, which through him form a coherent whole.
(Colossians 1:15-17)
2. Jesus worked as a carpenter
3. Jesus taught and impacted many people
Again Jesus began to teach on the shore of the lake. The crowd that gathered to see him was so great that he went up and sat in a boat that was on the lake, while all the people stayed on the beach.
(Mark 4:1)
4. Jesus followed the schedule and plan of God the Father
But Jesus answered them: My Father is still working today, and I also work.
(John 5:17)
5. Jesus replenished by spending time with the Father
Jesus healed many who were suffering from various diseases. He also cast out many demons, but he wouldn’t let them speak because they knew who he was.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went to a solitary place, where he began to pray.
(Mark 1:34-35)
5 purposes of work in the life of man:
1. To meet our needs
What you earn with your hands, that you will eat; You will enjoy happiness and prosperity.
(Psalm 128:2)
What does the Bible say about money?
2. Do works in the name of the Lord
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
(Colossians 3:17)
3. To give good testimony and so others praise God
Shine your light before everyone, so that they can see your good deeds and praise the Father who is in heaven.
(Matthew 5:16)
4. It is a way to glorify God
In conclusion, whether you eat or drink or do anything else, do it all for the glory of God.
(1 Corinthians 10:31)
5. It enables us to share and help others
He who stole, let him not steal anymore, but rather work honestly with his hands to have something to share with the needy.
(Ephesians 4:28)
Some biblical characters and the work they did:
In the Bible we find a wide variety of trades performed by well-known characters. Reading the biblical passages, we realize that it was very important for them to do their job well. They were hardworking and responsible people. Having a personal relationship with God helped them to be better workers.
One of the biblical characters most famous for his work is the apostle paulof which we read in the book of Acts:
You yourselves know well that these hands have taken care of my own needs and those of my companions. With my example I have shown them that it is necessary to work hard to help those in need, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus: “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving”.
(Acts 20:35)
We can learn from Paul that the purpose of work should not be to enrich ourselves and that’s it. Work is a tool that allows us to be a good example and also have enough to be able to help other people. Our effort should bring a blessing to all who serve us and open doors for us to help those who need it most.
What was the job of…?
- Joseph: servant, steward, administrator, palace keeper, governor (Genesis 39-42)
- noah: builder of the ark (Genesis 6)
- Abraham: chief, owner of flocks and cattle, owner of silver and gold, administrator (Genesis 13-18)
- Lot: owner of flocks, cattle and tents (Genesis 13)
- Bezalel and Oholiab: artists, craftsmen, works in gold, silver and bronze (Exodus 31:1-11)
- Deborah: prophetess, judge, governor (Judges 4 and 5)
- Matthew: tax collector (Matthew 10:3)
- Mark (John Mark): missionary, helper of the apostles (Acts 11-13)
- Luke: evangelist, assistant and companion of Paul, physician (Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11)
- Peter (Simon), Andrew, John and James: fishermen, disciples of Jesus (Mark 1:16-20)
- Paul, Priscilla and Aquila: tent makers, teachers of the Word (Acts 18:1-4; Acts 20:35)
- Lidia: producer and seller of purple cloth (Acts 16:11-15)
- the virtuous woman: housewife, seamstress, merchant, manager, financier (Proverbs 31:10-31)
- job: wealthy businessman, cattle owner, man of great renown (Job 1:1-3)
Other Bible verses to meditate on:
However, I consider my life worthless to myself, as long as I finish my course and carry out the service that the Lord Jesus has entrusted to me, which is to bear witness to the gospel of God’s grace.
(Acts 20:24)
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I assure you that I will be with you always, until the end of the world.
(Matthew 28:19-20)
With your good deeds, give them your own example in everything. When you teach, do so with integrity and seriousness, and with a sound and unblemished message. So anyone who opposes will be ashamed, because he will not be able to say anything bad about us.
(Titus 2:7-8)
Always be joyful, pray without ceasing, give thanks to God in every situation, because this is his will for you in Christ Jesus.
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
And everything that comes to hand, do it with all your efforts; because in the grave, where you are going, there is no work or plans or knowledge or wisdom.
(Ecclesiastes 9:10)
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm and unshakable, always progressing in the work of the Lord, knowing that your work in the Lord is not in vain.
(1 Corinthians 15:58)
Whatever you do, work willingly, as for the Lord and not as for anyone in this world, knowing that the Lord will reward you with the inheritance. You serve Christ the Lord.
(Colossians 3:23-24)
The hard-working farmer has the right to receive part of the harvest first.
(2 Timothy 2:6)
Work, but not for the food that is perishable, but for the food that remains for eternal life, which the Son of man will give you. Upon this God the Father has placed his seal of approval.
(John 6:27)
Verses of thanks to God for work