Question 1

How should we view work?

Accepted Answer

Genesis 1:27-28So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”Genesis 2:15The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.There is value and honor in work. God created people and gave them dominion over his creation. In other words, God created us for work. Even before the curse, humanity was given the opportunity to transform the raw materials of earth into things that would enhance life. Work has always been meant to honor God, to give people the dignity of having something important to do, and to bring blessings to others.Genesis 3:17-19To the man he [God] said, “Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.”Although God’s original plan for humans to do meaningful work never changed, the curse of the fall added difficulty to that work. Even the most enjoyable work will still at times feel like work. The fall affected even the very best things of life. Yet God can still enable us to do our work with dignity, honor, creativity, and excellence, which reflects his image in us.1 Thessalonians 4:11-12Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.Our attitude toward work should include the goal of honoring God by the way we work, as well as supporting ourselves and others with what we need to live.Proverbs 13:11Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.Honest, hard work is much better than schemes to get rich quickly.Ecclesiastes 5:19It is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God.Colossians 3:17Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.Our goal should be to work in such a way that we are good representatives of Jesus.

Question 2

What are the benefits of faithful work?

Accepted Answer

1 Kings 11:28Jeroboam was a very capable young man, and when Solomon saw how industrious he was, he put him in charge of the labor force from the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, the descendants of Joseph.Proverbs 22:29Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people.Faithful work that fits our gifts and abilities and displays excellence often brings opportunities for us to do even more satisfying work.Proverbs 10:4Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.Proverbs 12:11A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.Hard work usually yields enough success to meet our needs; often it yields much more. Those not willing to work hard are not highly rewarded, which often leads to bitterness.

Question 3

What kind of work should I do?

Accepted Answer

Genesis 3:19“By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.”Acts 20:34-35“You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”1 Corinthians 4:12We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living.Ephesians 4:28If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.1 Timothy 5:8Those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.We should choose work that we are able to do well and that will enable us to provide for our family’s needs. And if we work hard, we should be able to give generously to God and to others.Matthew 25:34-40“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”Whatever work we do, we should do to honor God and advance the values of his Kingdom.Matthew 5:16“Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”We should work in a way that will cause other people to see the character traits of God in us. In other words, we should work as though we are working for God; if we do, others will also take notice.Proverbs 13:11Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.Honest, hard work creates sustainable wealth, while instant income is rarely appreciated or carefully managed.Romans 12:8If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.We are to do work that uses our God-given gifts and abilities. Ask those who have known you the longest and understand you best to give you their impressions of your skills and capacities.Psalm 40:8“I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”Acts 20:24“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.”We don’t need to accomplish earthshaking tasks in order for our work to be meaningful or important to God. Our lives have meaning when we do the work God has given us to do. He can transform what the world may consider insignificant into a life-changing accomplishment. Whether we are changing diapers, running a company, cleaning houses, or pastoring a church, our work has meaning because we do it for God and share our blessings with everyone in our circle of influence.

Question 4

Can God be glorified by my regular work in the world?

Accepted Answer

Genesis 2:2, 15On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. . . . The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.1 Thessalonians 4:11-12Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.2 Thessalonians 3:8We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you.Our work in this life, whatever it may be, is anchored in God’s very character. Part of being made in God’s image is sharing in the industrious and creative aspects of his nature. Gardening was the very first job given to humans. Christians are needed in all kinds of vocations. Work will certainly require physical and mental action, but don’t leave out the crucial spiritual component. Whatever work you do, believe that God has placed you there for a reason, and then do your work well as a service to him and as a way to serve others.2 Thessalonians 3:6-13Now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received from us. For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you. We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow. Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.Christians are commanded to work hard at whatever they do. The quality of our work is as important as the significance of the work itself.Colossians 3:23Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.The way we approach work is evidence of our relationship to Christ. How would you do your work differently if Jesus was in charge?

Question 5

How should I work?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 22:29Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people.Ecclesiastes 9:10Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.Be industrious and do the best work you can. There is a measure of satisfaction in any work done well.Proverbs 10:5A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.Take advantage of the opportunities you have to work. Your first jobs may not be lifelong, but they will help equip you for your lifelong efforts.Ecclesiastes 10:10Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.Be smart in how you work. Practice generosity with what you receive. Remember always that you cannot take wealth with you when you die, but your practical kindness to others will store treasure in heaven.Romans 12:11Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.Ephesians 6:6-7Try to please them [those with authority over you] all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.Work with enthusiasm at whatever you do, even when no one is watching, because you are ultimately serving God.James 3:13If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.Work steadily with an attitude of humility, rather than continually pointing at your own accomplishments.Titus 2:9-10Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.No matter what our role or position at our place of work, God wants us to be trustworthy and faithful.Colossians 3:17Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.Our ultimate goal should be to work in such a way that we are a good representative of Jesus Christ.1 Thessalonians 4:11-12Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.Our attitude toward work should include the goal of honoring God by how we go about it. But we should also be responsible and generous with the blessings we receive for our efforts.

Question 6

Does God want me to be successful in the work I do?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 31:16She [the wise and honorable woman] goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.Acts 18:1-3Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.Ephesians 6:6-7As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.God endorses hard work, ingenuity, and success. Paul, Aquila, and Priscilla were Christian leaders in ministry and in business. The quality of our work and our enthusiasm for it reveal the nature of our commitment to Christ. Hard work done with excellence and integrity honors God and may bring material resources that can be used for God’s glory.

Question 7

What does God promise to those who work hard?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 22:29Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people.Faithful work brings better opportunities. God promises to bless us as we use the gifts he has given us. As believers, we are working for the King of kings, so it is important to do our best.Proverbs 10:4Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.Proverbs 21:5Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.Colossians 3:23-24Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.God promises a reward to those who work hard. That reward can sometimes, but not always, include financial benefits. It may also include the even more significant rewards of respect, personal satisfaction, and the joy of contributing to the welfare of others.

Question 8

Can I work too hard?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 39:6-7We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.Psalm 127:1-2Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.Ecclesiastes 5:3Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool.While we are called to work hard, we need to make sure that our work doesn’t so preoccupy us that we endanger our health, our relationships, or our time with God.Exodus 16:23He [Moses] told them, “This is what the Lord commanded: Tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the Lord.”Mark 6:31Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.We must regularly take time to stop our work in order to rest, to celebrate, and to worship God. We need to understand the Sabbath principle God introduced at Creation (Genesis 2:1-3) and account for it in our personal schedules.

Question 9

How will God help me when my work is hard?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 145:14The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads.Isaiah 40:28-31Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.As with any burden we bear, we trust God to help us on the job. This begins with a recognition that God is with us in every situation.

Question 10

How is my work important to the Lord?

Accepted Answer

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.Work is God’s plan for our lives. Those who work diligently experience many benefits in their lives and also bring benefits to others. God promises three basic rewards for faithful work: (1) having a more credible witness to non-believers; (2) having our needs met without having to depend financially on others, and (3) experiencing a sense of peace over a job done well.Romans 12:8If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.God blesses us when we do work that is in keeping with our gifts and abilities.

Question 11

Does God care what kind of work I do?

Accepted Answer

Ecclesiastes 12:14God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.God cares about what we do and how well we do it. This is actually because he wants the work we do and the way we do it to be beneficial to us.1 Kings 11:28Jeroboam was a very capable young man, and when Solomon saw how industrious he was, he put him in charge of the labor force from the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, the descendants of Joseph.Ecclesiastes 9:10Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.We should be industrious and do the best work we can.Proverbs 26:13-16The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion on the road! Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!” As a door swings back and forth on its hinges, so the lazy person turns over in bed. Lazy people take food in their hand but don’t even lift it to their mouth. Lazy people consider themselves smarter than seven wise counselors.2 Thessalonians 3:11-12We hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.Instead of finding excuses not to work, we should work hard.

Question 12

How do we do our work?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 10:5A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.Ecclesiastes 3:1-11For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.Ecclesiastes 9:10Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.We are to be industrious and do the best work we can when we have the opportunity. God wants us to learn to make the most of our time, using it wisely and in a timely fashion.Romans 12:11Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.Colossians 3:23-24Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.We should work with enthusiasm at whatever we do, keeping in mind that we are serving God, not people. A worldly mindset enthusiastically complains about work, while not doing it well. Don’t be surprised if others notice your enthusiasm in work, but don’t expect all of them to like it.

Question 13

I’m a stay-at-home mom. How can God be glorified in my work?

Accepted Answer

1 Corinthians 10:31So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.Whatever job God has called us to, we are to do it with excellence and commitment, because we serve a God of excellence and commitment.

Question 14

I’m a working mother. What does God think about this?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 31:10-31Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.We may not be an entrepreneur like the Proverbs 31 wife, but a large part of our lives in and out of our home will involve work. Our work is anchored in God’s very character; part of being made in his image is sharing and expressing the industrious and creative aspects of his nature.2 Thessalonians 3:8We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you.Christians are exhorted to work hard at whatever they do.Colossians 3:23Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.The way we approach work is evidence of our relationship to Christ.

Question 15

How can I balance work and family?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 39:6We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.All our busy rushing, though not without benefits, will ultimately end in nothing.Ecclesiastes 5:3Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool.While we are called to work hard, we must make sure that our work doesn’t so preoccupy us that we endanger our health, our relationships, or our time with God.Deuteronomy 6:4-9“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”Balance in life will always depend on our choices and our willingness to include God and conversations with and about God in every aspect of our family life.Exodus 16:23He told them, “This is what the Lord commanded: Tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the Lord.”Mark 6:31Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.There is a time to stop our work in order to rest, to celebrate, and to worship God. Given the pace of today’s world, these objectives will not be accomplished without our being intentional about scheduling and maintaining them.

Question 16

How should we deal with those who work poorly or refuse to work?

Accepted Answer

2 Thessalonians 3:11-12We hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.Wise leaders confront those who refuse to work. This is not only necessary for the welfare of those who will not work, but also out of fairness to those who do work. Leaders must have the courage to speak the truth in love.Proverbs 26:13-16The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion on the road! Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!” As a door swings back and forth on its hinges, so the lazy person turns over in bed. Lazy people take food in their hand but don’t even lift it to their mouth. Lazy people consider themselves smarter than seven wise counselors.Often lazy people will refuse to listen to any advice. In fact, they may offer the most absurd rationalizations to try to justify their laziness. Again, leaders are responsible to those they lead, but they cannot shelter those who refuse to be led. Those who refuse wise counsel must be allowed to suffer the consequences of their choices.

Question 17

Is it possible to work your way into heaven?

Accepted Answer

Ecclesiastes 2:10-11I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind.Although we are to work hard, work by itself does not bring ultimate fulfillment.Romans 3:28So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.Ephesians 2:8-9God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.2 Timothy 1:8-10So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.Titus 3:4-5When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.All our work and good deeds, no matter how impressive, will never save us. God alone can do that, and he does it by grace.