What Does the Bible Say About Work?
- Heather Erdmann
- Aug 29
- 5 min read
A Biblical Perspective on our Vocations
In the USA, the first Monday of September is celebrated as Labor Day. Ironically, we celebrate it by taking the day off from work! Many other countries also have an annual day that recognizes the value and importance of our jobs, careers, and vocations.
Since God created work for us to do before the fall of man into sin, He, too, considers our labors an important part of our purpose and His.
Although since sin entered the world, work can feel like drudgery or punishment, this was not God’s original plan. Even in the perfection of the Garden, He created Adam and instructed him to work the land:
“The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work and keep it.” (Genesis 2:!5)
So, what is the purpose of work? More importantly, what does the Bible say about work?
Why Does God Want Us to Work?
Bible Verses About Work
Just as God created us with the ability and opportunity to learn and grow, our vocations help us live purposeful and fulfilling lives and to glorify Him in whatever occupations He calls us to do. We work because our God is a God who works. The Bible tells us that He created the world in six days and on the seventh day He rested:
“For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; Therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.” (Exodus 20:11)
It was only after sin entered the world that our labor became toilsome:
Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’ Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.” (Genesis 3:17)
The Purpose of Work
What the Bible Says About Work
Although work can be difficult and exhausting at times, it can also be a source of enjoyment, fulfillment, and accomplishment. The average employed person spends around 70,000 hours of their life at their job.
God gifts each of us with different talents, abilities, desires, and opportunities to serve Him through the vocations to which He calls us. Whether a young mom raising children at home, a laborer who manufactures products that make our lives easier, an engineer using God-given creativity to design new ways to improve systems and processes, or a healthcare worker helping to keep us healthy, our work is a way to give us purpose and meaning. Work and the ability to do it are gifts from Him, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
Although work can fulfill us with meaning and satisfaction, just like everything else in life, what the Bible says about work is that it ultimately allows us the opportunity to glorify God. The Bible tells us that when we work, we should do it for Him. When we do it with excellence and to the best of our ability, it gives Him glory as others see us and we represent Him well:
“Let your light shine in front of men. Then they will see the good things you do and will honor your Father who is in Heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
Through our labors, God enables us to provide for ourselves and others. To some, He gives less, and to others more, but through it all, we are given the opportunity to grow closer to Him and be made more like Jesus as we steward our belongings wisely.
God also gives us ample opportunity to trust Him and turn to Him in our work. When we search for employment, we can seek Him in prayer to ask Him to guide us and provide what we need. When tasks are difficult or situations arise that trouble us, we can pray and ask Him to help and comfort us. When work is going well—or even when it isn’t—we can thank and praise Him, rejoicing in His blessings and in the satisfaction it brings. From the good gifts He provides through our employment, we have the opportunity to be generous and help others in need.
Biblical View of Work as a Mission Field
Wherever God leads us to work also provides us with a mission field. Each person He brings into our lives, whether a customer or a co-worker, is another soul God wants to reach with the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we go into our workplaces each week, we are allowed access to reach people that even full-time ministers never could—people who would never set foot into a church or hear them preach.
This shows us that all believers are missionaries, sent into the field to glorify God and reach others for Christ. Even a stay-at-home mom has her own mission field of young people entrusted to her care, whom she can reach for Jesus. This gives our vocations even more purpose and meaning than just the job itself. It gives us a reason to get up in the morning with a fresh start and new opportunities to serve the Lord.
By giving us purpose, fulfillment, provisions, and opportunities to reach others with the Gospel, and to trust, glorify, and serve God, our vocations are a blessing and a gift from Him. What the Bible says about work gives meaning to our callings and purpose for our lives. Let that motivate us to serve Him with that Biblical perspective in our work today and every day!
If you enjoyed this article, adapted from “Why the Bible Makes Life Make Sense: Pursuing a Purposeful Life with a Biblical Perspective,” read more HERE.
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