Walking with the Wise #49: Working Heartily

“A slack hand causes poverty,
but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”

—Proverbs 10:4

Work may not seem the most spiritual subject to read about, but it is intrinsically connected to our sense of being. God created us to work. Work was not something that was invented after the Fall or a necessary evil that we must do in order to make money. Work is something that God desires we do (cf. Genesis 2:15). And while we may not be in a job that we like, we must still learn to do it well and diligently. It doesn’t matter what type of work we are in, or how unfair or cruel the boss is; we are all still called to do our jobs as if God were our boss. As Paul wrote,

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ”—Colossians 3:23-24.

God ordained work for us so that we can have and make wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18). It is one of the means by which we can help others (Ephesians 4:28), stay out of trouble and be productive (1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13), and glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:23-24). Those who refuse to work are rebuked and told that they shouldn’t even eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

We must make every effort to do our jobs well. How differently would we work if we thought of God as our boss, not men? How much more diligent would we be? How much more disciplined and focused? God desires that we work unto Him because it is through us that He can be seen. If we are seen as lazy or unmanageable, what does that communicate about Christ to our unbelieving coworkers? Do your work as unto the Lord, not men, and make sure that you do it diligently, because it is that kind of work that God blesses, Christ can be seen in, and for which we are rewarded. Amen.