Our work and God’s work

Series: Born to Work, By Rosie Moore. (part 3)

“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied” (Prov 13:4)

The Bible’s view of work as part of our worship and service to the Lord has proven to be wise advice.

Research conducted by psychologist Angela Duckworth shows that we need meaningful work to thrive as human beings. If we work only to get rich, we find it unsatisfying, but if we throw ourselves wholeheartedly into our work and connect with people while doing it, we experience joy.

Duckworth argues that it is ‘grit’, not talent that enables a worker to achieve his/her potential. She defines grit as the combined force of passion and perseverance for long term goals. Passion is a focused approach to something you care deeply about, while perseverance is the resilience and desire to work hard over the long haul. (Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, Angela Duckworth.)

It’s no surprise that the Bible has been giving this wise counsel for thousands of years, because God is the inventor and model of work.

Work is good for us.

There are many benefits of hard work listed in the Bible. Here are a few to meditate on:

• Work helps us escape the poverty and emptiness that idleness brings. “The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.” (Prov 21:25). “Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.” (Prov 20:4)
• Hard work leads to healthy tiredness and restful sleep (Ecc 5:12)
• Work provides a deserved income to meet our basic needs and legitimate pleasures (1 Thess 4:12; 2 Thess 3:10; Ecc 5:18-20). “The labourer deserves his wages” (1 Tim 5:8).
• Work is God’s means to provide for our relatives, “and especially for our own household” (1 Tim 5:8).
• Work increases the wellbeing of society, where each person enjoys the fruits of their own labours (Prov 14:23). “And each of them will sit under his vine and under his fig tree, with no one to make them afraid” (Micah 4:4). “You will eat the fruit of your labour; blessings and prosperity will be yours.” (Ps 128:2)
• Work provides an income to give to God. (Prov 3:9-10)
• Work provides an income to share with those who genuinely don’t have the opportunity or ability to work (Eph 4:28; 1 Thess 4:12).
• Work provides a God-given sense of joyful accomplishment and fruitfulness (Ecc 9:7; 5:18).

The idea of working to the glory of God and for the eye of our Lord Jesus was the foundation of the Protestant work ethic, which brought prosperity to the Western world. When we use our talents and connect with others to provide good service and products, we are contributing to human flourishing.

That is why the 36% unemployment rate in South Africa is a terrible blight on our nation. Individuals and families cannot flourish in a society in which so many of its able people are unemployed and depend on the state for support.

But even if a person is out of work, they still have a job to do. It is to spend every day looking for a job and being willing to do unpaid work until they find a paid job. If a jobless person does that, God is satisfied with their labours.

Work is for God’s glory.

Paul writes that we are called to glorify God in everything, including our work (1Cor 10:31). Thus, work is never futile labour, but a calling to serve Christ as a faithful servant wherever we find ourselves (Col 3:23; Matt 25:23). To appreciate this calling, it’s helpful to ponder on God Himself as the prototype of a worker:

For all eternity, God has worked with unfathomable wisdom, skill, and creativity to create the universe, and sustain it. From the beginning, God blessed Adam and Eve and told them to be fruitful and multiply, to fill the earth and subdue it, to rule over the fish, birds, every living thing that moves on the earth as His representatives.

He gave us every tree that yields seed and fruit as food for us, every beast of the earth, every bird of the sky, every moving thing, and every green plant for food. Humanity was given the responsibility to care for God’s creation, to cultivate and tend to it for His glory and our good.

It is this work which sets us apart from the animal kingdom (Gen 2:15). Animals don’t paint pictures or design beautiful buildings. They don’t grow gardens, make clothes, or cultivate farms. They don’t compose symphonies, produce movies, or cook three course meals. They don’t heal, invent, or start businesses. They don’t collaborate to build a city. That’s because animals are not made in God’s image and have not been given dominion over the earth as humans have (Gen 1:26).

Likewise, Scripture describes Jesus as a worker. In John 9:4, Christ said, “I must do the works of My Father…My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish His work” (John 4:34). “My Father is working still and I am working” (John 5:17).

Having accomplished his work of creation and his work of redemption on the cross, Christ works to hold all creation together and lead his church (Col 1:16-17). Even today, He works to create, redeem, judge, and rule as God’s appointed King (Ps 2:4-6; 9). His work at the end of history will be to judge the living and the dead, to restore the new heavens and new earth, to rule with perfect justice and righteousness (Rev 6; Rev 21:2; Isa 33:5). God has a vast job description!

The Holy Spirit is a worker too. He was brooding over the waters at Creation and continues to work powerfully to sustain the universe. Over a period of 1500 years, the Spirit inspired forty men to write the Bible perfectly and accurately. Today, whenever a sinful heart is regenerated and transformed, the Spirit is engaged in the work of redemption and renewal. He still works to enlighten, convict, save, fill, assure, comfort, sanctify and guide believers in wisdom all over the world.

To use Angela Duckworth’s definition, God’s work is full of grit. It is persevering, eternal work with the long-term goal of complete redemption. That’s why human beings, made in God’s image, are commanded to work for six days, and on the seventh day, to rest (Ex 20:9-10).

Even after the Fall, our earthly work is designed to redeem the cursed universe in some measure until the final Sabbath rest of the new creation:

Work of redemption.

We reflect God’s redemptive and reconciling work whenever we help people to repent and trust in Jesus, when we are peacemakers, and when we create order out of chaos or cultivate a farm out of virgin veld. We partake in His redemptive work when we do good things for the city we are living in, “because if there is peace in that city, you will have peace also” (Jer 29:7-11).

Work of creation.

We represent God’s creative work when we use our gifts to beautify the world, to express what is true, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy through art, music, literature and architecture. Scripture gives many examples of gifted individuals who used their skills for God’s glory (2 Chron 2:7).

In Exodus 35:10, Moses says, “Let every skillful craftsman among you come and make all that the Lord has commanded”. Again, in 28:3, God says, “You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill, that they make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him for my priesthood”.

The Lord filled Bezalel, son or Uri, “with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and carving wood, to work in every craft…” (Ex 31:1-18). And Chenaniah, leader of the Levites in music, was appointed to direct the music, “for he understood it” (1 Chron 15:22).

Clearly, we are not all skilled to do the same work, but each of us has a gift which we must use and cultivate for God’s glory and the good of humanity.

Work of providence.

“Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honoured” (Prov 27:18).

We mimic the providential work of God when we tend to animals and plants; conserve nature for humanity to enjoy; provide generous hospitality and take good care of our natural resources and possessions. We partake in God’s work of providence when we feed and care for people, steward schools, parks and neighbourhoods. Adam was instructed to do this work in Genesis 2:15.

Work of justice.

Christians have a role to play in maintaining justice and restraining evil in the world. We imitate God’s work of justice when we contribute to our legal system; maintain law and order; work and pray for righteous laws and leaders to rule for the good of all citizens; and treat people fairly and impartially, hearing “the small and the great alike” (Deut 1:17).

We do God’s work of justice when we defend the innocent from the oppressor and speak for the unborn who cannot speak for themselves (Prov 31:8; Prov 24:11-12; Jer 22:3). We do God’s work of justice when we pay our staff on time and do not exploit our vulnerable employees (Deut 24:14-15; Lev 19:13).

God calls His people in every generation “to seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts” (Amos 5:15). Christ also calls Christians to uphold justice and truth in the local church (Matt 18:15-17).

Work of compassion.

We emulate God’s work of compassion and mercy when we are involved in comforting, healing, charitable, and shepherding vocations (James 2:13; Col 3:12; 1 Peter 5:4).

Work of revelation.

We mirror God’s revelationary work when we teach, speak, sing, or write words that express wisdom and insight. Daniel was an example of such a worker, “skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding and learning” (Daniel 1:3-4). In fact, every Christian is equipped to do the work of teaching and admonishing one another with all wisdom, provided that the “word of Christ is richly dwelling within us” (Col 3:16).

The glory of the nations.

In Revelation 21, John says that the kings of the earth will bring the “glory of the nations” into the new heavens and new earth. This seems to suggest that valid work from every nation will contribute something beautiful to the new creation, for the benefit of all God’s people (Rev 21:24-26). Our work is not wasted.

But although our work is valuable, and should reflect the excellence and beauty of our God, Scripture warns that it should never become a source of pride, self-sufficiency or idolatry. Our work is for God’s glory, not our own. Paul warns Christians not to be driven by selfish ambition and vain conceit, but rather to serve humbly, as Christ served us in His work:

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Phil 2:3-4).

Our work and God’s work.

Truthfully, all our plans, efforts, and abilities are useless unless the Lord prospers them.

We are called to be prudent in our work, but also to pray; to be diligent, but also to depend on the Lord. We are called to provide for our families, but also to trust in God’s providence, for it is the Lord who causes the sun to rise, and He sends the rain. While the farmer uses his skills and resources to plough, plant, fertilise, weed, and harvest a crop, he must also trust the Lord to control nature so his crop will grow.

In an age of self-sufficiency, the Psalmist reminds workers to live in conscious dependence on God’s daily provision:

“Unless the Lord builds the house,
    those who build it labour in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
    the watchman stays awake in vain” (Ps 127:1)

It is dangerous to reach a place of abundance and complacency where we say, as the Israelites said, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.”

Moses warns us: “Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth” (Deut 8:17-18).

Prayer

Heavenly Father, for as long as you give us strength and opportunity, we long to do the work you have given us to do on earth. Help us to use our time wisely to steward your creation, and demonstrate love for you and our neighbour while we do it. Thank you for the privilege of partaking in your work in the world, and we ask for the ability and strength to do it excellently and faithfully, even though we will never do it perfectly. We ask that you establish the work of our hands and make it fruitful and pleasing to you.

Amen.

Temptations at work

Series: Born to Work (Part 4), By Rosie Moore.

“There are things for humans to do all day long without His minding in the least – sleeping, washing, eating, drinking, making love, playing, praying, working. Everything has to be twisted before it’s any use to us” (CS Lewis).

Screwtape, a cunning devil, advises his nephew Wormwood on how to twist and distort good gifts like work so that instead of being a blessing, it becomes a curse. Our everyday work presents ample opportunities for good, but it also brings temptations for sin and disorder.

Two biblical concepts—Authority and Accountability—shape relationships in the workplace and provide guidance for navigating its challenges.

Authority.

As Creator and ruler of His world, God has designed a balance of human authority in various spheres—family, church, state, and workplace—each with its own jurisdiction. When we fulfil our roles within this framework, a fine and good balance is achieved. But whenever we abandon God’s framework, we reap disorder.

In the workplace, employers are called to exercise good leadership and impartiality. They are responsible for providing protection and direction to employees, opportunities for growth, disciplining wrongdoers, and praising those who do well. They are called to treat their employees justly and fairly, knowing that they also have a Master in heaven (Col 4:1; Eph 6:9).

On the other hand, employees are called to “be subject to [their] masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust” (1 Peter 2:18). They are to obey and serve their employers diligently “and do it, not only when their eye is on [them] and to curry favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord” (Colossians 3:22-23). Workers are to be “well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour” (Titus 2:9-10).

Although this model is not in vogue today, it is clearly God’s established order throughout Scripture and bears powerful witness to the gospel.

Accountability.

The Bible teaches that all human authorities are accountable to God in how they exercise their authority. Likewise, workers are accountable to God for their responses to authority. Authority and accountability are the two sturdy legs on which healthy workplace relationships stand.

The gospel’s message of equal obligation is a radical one that transforms the employment relationship for disciples of Christ. We see this in the earliest gospel pronouncements of the New Testament:

In Luke 3, John the Baptist provides real-life examples from the workplace to illustrate how to “bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Luke 3:8). First, he urges believers who have abundant possessions to share with those who have nothing (Luke 3:10). Then, John instructs Christian tax collectors not to exploit their power for personal gain. He tells soldiers, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay” (Luke 3:14). Here, the evidence of true faith is seen in the context of work.

Similarly, Paul writes to believing slaves to improve their situation if it will honour God: “If you can gain your freedom, do so”. But just before, he says, “Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you” (1 Cor 7:21). The fruit of repentance is visible in both our diligence and contentment at work.

Ultimately, we will all answer to Christ, regardless of our roles or positions. Often, it is in the pressure cooker of the workplace that our Christian character is tenderised, tested and put on exhibition for the world to see. This should give us a new perspective on our job as the place where God has positioned us to serve Him by serving others.

Whatever our role at work, we have Christ’s example to follow and His glory to seek in all our endeavours. It is the gospel that distinguishes Christian workers. Charles Haddon Spurgeon aptly captures this truth: “Grace makes us the servants of God while still the servants of men… It sanctifies the common duties of life by showing us how to perform them in the light of heaven.”

Thus, Paul urges both bondservants and masters to submit themselves to Christ as Lord. Knowing that we are servants of Christ is the greatest safeguard against temptation at work.

Servants of Christ.

“Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him” (Ephesians 6:5-9).

Paul urges all workers to approach their jobs with responsibility, integrity, meekness, and genuine care, as if they were serving Christ Himself.

While God does not show partiality based on our rank or power, there are specific temptations that attach to our roles as employers and employees. It is easy to twist the gift of work, and the Bible warns us of common pitfalls to avoid.

Temptations at work.

1. Abuse of power: In Colossians 4:1, Paul instructs employers, “Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.”

Those in positions of authority will always be tempted to treat workers as mere tools for their own gain, rather than as human beings made in the image of God. A Christian employer should exercise self-control and consistency, mindful of the temptation to prioritize appearances over the Lord’s all-seeing eye (Ephesians 6:9). Favouritism is a common temptation for employers, but Paul points out that there is no partiality with God.

1. Bad attitude: An employee should work with a willing, sincere heart, not just when the boss is around (Colossians 3:22). Anything less is a form of theft from one’s employer.

If we have a complaining, entitled, or sullen attitude, we are being disobedient to God’s instruction in Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

2. Workaholism: “Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind” (Ecclesiastes 4:6).

Though work is a good thing, any fixation other than God becomes an idol. Jesus said that if money is our master, then God is not (Matthew 6:24). Anxiety, fear, and perfectionism often breed workaholism. However, workaholism is a sin to quickly confess and forsake before it takes hold, because God knows our needs and has promised to provide (Matthew 6:25-34).

One sure way to wage war against the idol of work is to observe a Sabbath every week. A day of rest reminds us of our dependence on God’s provision, and that He is the Lord while we are not (Ex 20:10.)

3. Slackness: “Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys” (Proverbs 18:9).

Slackness is a subtle and often overlooked temptation. Solomon points out that negligence from a worker can destroy projects and relationships. A careless and apathetic attitude is hard to pinpoint, but it is contagious in an organisation and as dangerous as a deliberate act of sabotage. That’s why the Bible points us to the ways of the ant in our work (Prov 6:6-8). It is wise to build conscientious habits into our day to safeguard us against the sin of slackness.

4. Motivated by envy and selfish ambition: “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice” (James 3:16.)

“You shall not covet your neighbour’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife,or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.” (Ex 20:17).

Envy and selfish ambition can lead to rivalry and vicious office politics. In a chapter titled “Trusting God for who you are”, Jerry Bridges exposes the sinful roots of envy and discontent in our vocations. His last sentence is profound—

“Just as we must trust God for who we are, we must also trust Him for what we are—whether it be an engineer or missionary, a homemaker or a nurse. If there is one area of life where the saying “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence” applies, surely it is the area of vocational calling and station in life. Someone has estimated that as many as eighty percent of our work force are dissatisfied with the jobs they are in. For many of us that may be due to a reluctance to be what God planned for us to be.”

5. Motivated by greed: “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” (1 Tim 6:9)

“Then Jesus said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15)

God does not bless us in our work so that we can hoard our wealth or covet our neighbour’s greater wealth. He blesses us with the fruits of our labours, so we can provide for our families; be a blessing to others and build God’s kingdom. Greed is a temptation that we all face as workers, rich and poor alike.

6. Withholding wages: “Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty” (James 5:4)

Failure to pay a worker or supplier is an act of injustice, “For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain” and “the labourer deserves his wages”(1 Tim 5:18). This is a spiritual law that God has written into Creation.

7. Corruption: “Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel” (Prov 20:17) “A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.” (Prov 11:1) “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them” (Prov 11:3).

“Yet Samuel’s sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice” (1 Sam 8:3)

Samuel’s sons were appointed to be judges over Israel in his place, but they turned out to be corrupt, much like Eli’s sons (1 Sam 2:12). Today, it seems that corruption, collusion and ill-gotten gain are as commonplace as in Israel at the time of the Judges. Dishonesty reigns in every sphere of life and a Christian upbringing is no guarantee of integrity, as Eli and Samuel discovered.

Because workers often stand at the coalface of corruption, parents and churches have an awesome responsibility to prepare our children to fear God, not man, and to resist moral compromise at work. We must talk about these things often with our children, giving them practical examples in our own culture to help them discern corruption when they encounter it.

8. Exploitation: “But you have eyes and hear only for your dishonest gain for shedding innocent blood and for practicing oppression and violence” (Jer 22:17).

God’s Old Testament laws gave the poor opportunities to improve their situation. These laws also reveal God’s anger towards those who take advantage of the poor and needy (Deut 24:14-15; Lev 19:13). We are not left guessing what God thinks about exploitation, bullying and sexual harassment in the workplace.

9. Compromise: “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17).

Christians are increasingly tempted to compromise their faith in the workplace as pressure mounts from lobby groups and policies implemented in the name of  ‘Reproductive Healthcare;’ ‘Environmental justice’ and ‘Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’. Legislation such as the proposed Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill criminalises expressions deemed hate speech with a jail term of up to 8 years for offenders. But without a proper definition of “hate,” and a wide, subjective definition of “harm”, it is possible that Christians in the workplace will face a costly choice when compelled to violate God’s Word and their own conscience.

Being Christ’s faithful servant at work may soon lead to more than just mockery and ridicule. It may lead to dismissal, prosecution, fines and imprisonment.

9. Idleness: “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us… For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat” (2 Thess 3:6, 10).

Idleness is one of the more subtle and socially acceptable temptations that we face as Christian workers. Paul singles out this problem in both his letters to the Thessalonian believers. In fact, he devotes two whole chapters to the sin of laziness, so it was evidently a cultural problem that had been normalised in the church. Join us next week to see how Paul affirms the maxim: “If anyone does not work, he will not eat.”

Prayer.

Lord, in whatever we do, we trust that you have equipped us to fulfil your purpose. You determine the course of our lives, so help us not to squander our stewardship at work. Help us to take every opportunity to improve our situation in a way that will honour you, but at the same time to embrace whatever vocation we are in and to accept the situations we cannot change. Give us daily strength to work with all our hearts, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since we know that we will receive an inheritance from you as a reward. Give us eyes to see that it is the Lord Christ we are serving, not men. All glory be to Christ our King. Amen.