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

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?