We Need a Theology of Work

One of the areas of life in which believers most mirror unbelievers is in our thinking about work. We want to avoid it. We long for the day when it’s over, whether that means the weekend (short-term) or retirement (long-term). We hate Mondays. We love Fridays. We complain about our schedules, our work environments, and our bosses.

We need to give more thought to a theology of work. Scripture teaches that work was pre-fall (Gen 2:15). It’s a good and honorable thing—an image of God thing—not a punishment, albeit it was made more difficult by the fall (Gen 3:17-19). Physical toil was joyfully undertaken by godly people throughout biblical history, including the brilliant Apostle Paul and even our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thes 2:9; Mark 6:3). And working with a godly attitude is a significant part of our testimony before the lost (1 Thes 4:11-12). Those are just a few of the many lessons Scripture teaches about a distinctly Christian work ethic.

Pastors, we need to think rightly about work, and we need to help our congregations do the same. Listening to “Pleasing God with Our Work,” a sermon by Dave Doran, would be a good place to start.