This article describes how to live in a way that uniquely demonstrates the gospel. This article expands on the idea first presented in Gospel-Worthy Walking.
Work. When you think of the word “work,” what comes to mind? As believers, we want to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel in all of life (Philippians 1:27). This includes our work, our labor,, which for most people, is a large aspect of our lives. Whether you have a job and get paid to work, or you work hard without earning a paycheck like a stay-at-home mom, you have to ask yourself, when it comes to work, am I walking in a manner worthy of God (1 Thessalonians 2:12)?
There are correct and incorrect ways to approach work. Many people want to avoid work. They are bored by it or approach it with laziness, see it as a simple means to get by, something they have to do—a necessary evil or even a curse. They might approach work by only putting forth just enough effort to not get fired (and a part of them might secretly hope they do get fired). Others put too much of an emphasis on work: it is their life, their identity, their top priority—they idolize work and get their sense of meaning and purpose from their career. Work is who they are, they want to make a name for themselves, climb the corporate ladder, and prove their significance to this world through their work.
Whether you are the head of a company, a senior pastor, in middle-level management, an entry-level employee, working a summer job during high school, or a stay-at-home mom, there is a right and God-honoring way to view and approach work, and the above ways are not it. If devaluing work and idolizing work are both wrong, how should a Christian approach work? The following three principles should inform how we approach work.
We were designed to work
God created the heavens and the earth, and then we see in Genesis 2:15 that God took Adam and put him in the garden to work. We were created in God’s image and given the responsibility to exercise dominion over what He created. God designed us to work. This was before the fall and not a punishment for sin. Granted, we do see that after Adam and Eve sinned, the fall negatively impacts work (Genesis 3:16-19), but even though work can be frustrating and difficult at times, we must remember that we were created to work and that we have a responsibility to exercise dominion over God’s creation. Work is not a result of the fall, work existed before the fall and you were created to work.
Work for the Lord (not for selfish gain)
Your motive as you work matters. Work is not about you, making a name for yourself, climbing the corporate ladder, or proving to the world how great and accomplished you are. Colossians 3:23-24 says, “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.” We often do things with a selfish motive and make decisions on whether to do or not do something based on how it impacts us. As we see in Colossians 3:17, 23-24, and 1 Corinthians 10:31 - whatever we do, we are to do it for the Lord and his glory (not ours).
Don’t view work as simply completing tasks, but as a calling
In the first part of Ephesians 2, we get a clear picture of the gospel and how we are saved by faith, not by our own works. In other words, our works don’t earn God’s favor, we bring nothing to the table, and can’t boast in our own accomplishments before God. Yet in verse 10, it says that we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. We saw above that we are to work for the glory of God, but we have to ask, how should that impact those around us?
Today, people use the term vocation synonymously with work or job. The word vocation actually comes from the Latin word for calling. We are to walk in the good works God has prepared beforehand, not to earn God’s favor but to bless those around us. As Christians, we can both proclaim and display the gospel to the world through our work. Work with character and integrity, treat others how you want to be treated, and don’t make your work all about you. Also, as you work, be aware of who God is laying on your heart to share the gospel with, to pour into, to be intentional with. Be salt and light as you work.
No matter what your work is, no matter how much you get paid for it (a lot or not at all), you should not take work too lightly by seeing it simply as a means to an end or as a necessary evil, by giving little effort, by being bored by your work, or by trying to avoid it. On the other hand, you should not take work too seriously, by making it the most important thing in your life, by trying to make a name for yourself, and by proving your worth to the world. Instead, Christian, realize that you were designed to work. Work for the Lord, and understand that you can bless those around you through your work while being intentional to both proclaim and display the gospel as you work. How might you approach your work differently if you kept these principles in mind?