God ordained work as the normal routine of living. Every legitimate human task, therefore, is of intrinsic worth, however menial it may seem, and is potentially a means of glorifying God.
Work is ordained by God
Genesis 1:27–28 See also Exodus 20:9 parallel Deuteronomy 5:13; Psalm 104:23 Work is part of the rhythm of life.
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”
God's purposes in ordaining work
That people should be self-supporting
Genesis 3:19 See also Psalm 128:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:12
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground — because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”
That people should find self-fulfilment
Ecclesiastes 2:24 See also Proverbs 14:23; Ecclesiastes 3:22, Ecclesiastes 5:19
Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God.
That people should serve others
Ephesians 4:28 See also Proverbs 31:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 1 Timothy 5:8
He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.
That people should glorify God
Colossians 3:17 See also 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 6:5–8 parallel Colossians 3:22–24
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Consequences of viewing work as God's ordinance
Work is seen as a moral duty
Titus 3:14 See also Proverbs 6:6; Ecclesiastes 9:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:7–12
And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet the pressing needs of others, so that they will not be unfruitful.
Any legitimate work may be seen as God's calling
Genesis 2:15 See also Exodus 31:1–6, Exodus 35:30–35; Psalm 78:70–71; Matthew 13:55 parallel Mark 6:3; Romans 13:6; 1 Corinthians 7:17, 1 Corinthians 7:20–24
Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.
Work is seen as a stewardship from God himself
Colossians 3:23–24 See also Matthew 25:14–30 parallel Luke 19:12–27; Ephesians 6:5–8
Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Criticism of those who will not work
For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.