Work is a part of life. We can’t get away from it. While some people may have the luxury to decide what type of job they want to do, others work in fields they were given. Whether it’s under-the-sun labor or office work, the Bible says we will all eat the fruit of our labor.
In society, the type of work we do for a long time eventually becomes our career. As young kids, adults asked us the famous question what do you want to do when you grow up? They were preparing us for the work we have ahead.
Many young people even find it intimidating to think of a job as a long-term commitment as they question what major to study, but as we get older we begin noticing the benefits of building a career overtime. It provides stability and personal growth.
If we’re going to work all of our lives, how can we do it honoring God? Whether you’re starting your career or switching career paths, let’s align our work with the word of God.
Work in whatever job you want
Unlike the world, which makes us think we have to choose one vocation for the rest of our lives, God gives us options.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
Colossians 3:23
Everything under the sun is available to us, which means there’s no right or wrong answer for choosing to work in a specific field. The only commandment God gives us is to give it our all, not for selfish gain, but as if we’re working for God himself.
The verse also encourages us not to be lazy at what we do. When we do something with all of our heart, we are putting all of our energy into our craft without complaining or being sluggish.
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” (Philippians 2:14)
Additionally, some may find an employer hard to work for, but the word challenges us to transform our thinking. Our performance should not be different if we like our boss or not. Our work focus is not to help someone else build an empire, instead, we work to please our number one boss, God.
In Proverbs 16:3 we are reminded again to put God at the center of our work and he will lead us:
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
Is the job legal?
God calls us to work ethically. Whether it’s mental or physical work, is it legal?
Yes, we can choose to work in any job we desire, but it must not be criminal or prohibited. Most importantly, it must abide by the rules and standards God gives us in his word.
“Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” (Ephesians 4:28)
There’s something beautiful about creating something with our own hands. When we steal we are trying to use someone else’s effort as our gain and are cheating ourselves of what our hands can accomplish. God gave each of us the tools and talents we need to produce useful work.
If we must question our work, then we must take it before God, so he can straighten our paths.
“in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:6
Building wealth illegally may produce financial rewards right away, but that kind of work will bring consequences. The results won’t last long.
“Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.” (Proverbs 13:11)
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”
Titus 2:7-8
Although the verse is referring to those who teach the word of God, we must remember that our testimony also teaches others about God.
Do you desire your job more than God?
We work to eat. Some of us also have dependents that expect food on the table, but Jesus says in John 6:49:
“Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died.”
Jesus Christ is saying that even our necessities, like food and water, are not eternal and do not hold as much value as eternal life.
With that being said, we must not desire to grow in our careers, job, or small business, as much as we desire the kingdom. Work is just another earthly thing we must do before we move to our eternal homes. After all, the bible tells us that our citizenship is in heaven.
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 3:20
The food that our job provides is not as important as having Jesus Christ as the bread of life.
“But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die,” says John 6:50
In other words, Jesus is saying that even those things that satisfy us, that satisfy our belly do not last forever.
John 6:27 says, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
Our careers will end when we leave Earth. We are encouraged to put our best foot forward, but we must remember that our priority is God.
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”
Ecclesiastes 9:10
Are you pursuing a job to climb a ladder?
Building a career is not to compare our success to others, nor is it about feeling powerful because of what we’ve accomplished with our hands.
The Bible encourages us to put our eyes on our own work, perfect our craft, seeing how we can improve based on mistakes we’ve made; not on our competition or to try to beat others. When we remove our focus from what others are doing, we have more time to pay attention to our own garden.
“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.” (Galatians 6:4)
We are encouraged to work with all of our hearts as if we’re doing it for God, but we must be careful not to lose our humility or gain a hunger for power and earthly success. In the end, it’s meaningless energy to run to get ahead of others.
“And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 4:4
For the right reasons…
When adults asked us what do you want to do when you grow up? Many of us chose a job without thinking we’d like a job to look better than our classmates. Along the way, when we entered our first corporate job, we realized seasonal employees looked down on those who were just starting. That’s when we realized there was a ladder to climb – which feeds the flesh.
Even among family members, we may try to gain approval from parents by reaching higher, but all of that only gives satisfaction to our natural nature.
“Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:8)
Feeding ourselves to feel more powerful can quickly become a never-ending cycle that will disturb our peace and lead us to never being satisfied.
Focusing on working our own lane, and checking our heart when we see others reach achievements, will guarantee us abundant food. It’s a promise we can read in Proverbs 12:11,
“Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.”
God promises that our work doesn’t have to be painful
Let’s face it – work can be hard! That’s why some individuals choose to take easier routes, but as we ask God to provide the work we need, we must remember that God is a good God.
“The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.” (Proverbs 10:22)
When our work is a blessing from the Lord, we can rest knowing work doesn’t have to be painful. Rephrasing that, we don’t have to dread Mondays. If we do, we must know that God has something better for us and he can align our path to his will.
God wants the best for his children. Even when we find ourselves in a toxic environment, we must continue to do good. If we honor God when it’s hard, God will make us shine in that atmosphere!
“so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”
Philippians 2:15
If God promises we don’t have to endure painful toil for his blessings, then we can pray for other opportunities, so we won’t have to keep working in a destructive workplace.
Work is a gift of God
“I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13)
Work is a gift of God! To eat and provide food for our bellies is something we must do every day. To do that, we must work, so when God allows us to find satisfaction in our toil, then we must consider it a blessing from God.
If we work as if we’re working for God, then everything we do is not to satisfy ourselves, but to honor God.
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:58
Prayer: Asking God for a job
Lord, Thank you for the amazing gift of ‘work.’ Thank you that you allow me to get up each day. Right now, I ask you to help me trust you during this season. Help me provide for my own household. During a time when I should feel uncertain because I don’t have a job, help me to feel confident in you, knowing that you are enough and you are the bread of life. You are my mountain top!
My job doesn’t define me. Teach me to depend on you, as the birds depend on you for food. I know that you’re never late, you’re always on time. Today, I ask you to provide a job that will be a blessing to my life. I want to enjoy the gift of going to a job that I love. Lead me as I apply for jobs and open doors that I can’t. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Prayer: Thanking God for my job
Lord, I praise you for being my provider. Thank you for my job, that you allow me to get up each day and use my hands to provide for my family. Thank you for the freedom to work and for being right there with me. Help me to not complain about my job, instead, to work as if I’m doing it for you. Help me to be honest and to put my eyes on you when things get hard.
Most importantly, help me to desire you more than I desire to advance my career. I want to put you as my priority. Don’t allow me to lose sight of what really matters, which is eternal life and not temporary satisfaction. I ask you to bless the work of my hands and continue to bless my employer, so I can continue providing food for my household. In the name of Jesus, Amen.