A working Christian is a reflection of a working God who created the universe and is still at work in our lives. Believers are not to be slothful. We are to do honest work and be hardworking in all we do.
We must work with excellence and righteousness because we are a representation of God. Always remember when you are at work that you are working for the Lord and not man.
1. To use your time wisely.
Ephesians 5:15-17 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
John 17:4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.
2. To provide for your family.
1 Timothy 5:8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
3. Work is ordained by God.
Genesis 1:27-28 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Deuteronomy 5:13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work.
Genesis 2:15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
4. So you don’t become lazy and a busybody.
Proverbs 21:25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
2 Thessalonians 3:11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you.
Proverbs 20:13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.
5. God uses a job to provide for necessities.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”
Proverbs 12:14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.
Proverbs 28:19 A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.
6. So we can give to the church.
Acts 20:35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Matthew 6:20-21 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
7. So we can give to others.
Ephesians 4:28 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.
Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
8. To imitate our Lord and Savior Jesus who worked.
John 4:34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.”
Mark 6:3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
9. Work develops us and helps us mature. Bad co-workers and mean bosses and other work situations help you grow.
Romans 8:28-29 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Colossians 1:10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.
10. To glorify God. God wants you to serve Him with your work by working hard.
Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Reminder: Your workplace is a place to witness to others.
Matthew 5:13-14 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
