Labor of Love: Why Work Matters in the Christian Life

Why is it that so many people seem to hate their work? Why have recent surveys found that nearly half of people are dissatisfied with their jobs? Why do many Christians seem to fall prey to the same mottos of our day:

Get a job that you love to do more than anything.

Follow your heart.

Chase your dreams.

Find a job that you will be excited to go to every day.

These slogans are plastered across society, found in media advertisements, school speeches, and graduation cards. But we also know the reality of work is far different.  The dream job may not be a reality for many people. Work may not always be easy. There are quite a few jobs that no one dreams of doing, which means a lot of available jobs that are not dream jobs. Sometimes work is difficult, tiring, or boring. Even people who have jobs they enjoy find that there are days where it would be easier to just stay in bed. So, how should Christians view their jobs? What is the importance and roles of our vocations? How do we glorify God in our work?

Why Work?

God placed Adam in the garden to cultivate and keep the land. ‘Cultivate’ in Genesis 2:15 is the Hebrew word for work or service, while ‘keep’ indicates to protect or care. Adam was given the task to work and care for God’s creation. Work is not the result of sin. Work is what we were created to do.

During the Middle Ages vocations had grown to be thought of as restricted to the clergy. They were the ones serving God and doing the work of ‘ministry.’ One of the greatest influences of the Reformation, led by Martin Luther, was a new understanding of the doctrine of vocation. Luther taught that every believer—whether farmer, banker, or mother—played a vital role in building the kingdom of God through their service to others. He would proclaim that “God doesn’t need your good works, you neighbor does.” All our gifts and talents should be used to serve others and subsequently to glorify God. 

God has called us to vocations in various ways. These vocations may be glamorous and celebrated- doctor, actor, or professional athlete. These vocations may be less glorified by our society- plumber, sanitation worker, or stay-at-home mother. But God would desire for us to work in each vocation we find ourselves in, no matter the worldly esteem. Why? It is because in each of these roles we have the opportunity to serve and love others while doing all things to the glory of God. In fact, God has chosen to work through each person to bring about his plans and purposes. Our work is like the mask of God, with Him working behind-the-scenes through human hands and hearts. 

Where Do We Work? And How?

We often think of our jobs as the only location of our work. Yet we see something vastly different in Ephesians chapters 5 and 6. Here, Paul is laying out the arenas of our lives in which God has called us to labor and walk in love. 

1. Husband and Wife

Christians are to work in their roles as husband and wife. Wives are called to submit to their husbands and fall under his headship of the family. Husbands are called to love their wives just as Christ loved the church, laying his own life down for his bride. These are not easy tasks. These are roles that require blood, sweat, tears, and the grace of God. See each day with your spouse as an opportunity to work with them, laboring to glorify God in your relationship and being bound together in love by the Holy Spirit. 

2. Children and Parents

Likewise, children have the role to obey their parents in the Lord. This work begins at a young age and continues throughout one’s life, showing love and respect while following their biblical admonitions. Parents must work to not bring their children to anger. Any parent knows the seemingly unending task of maintaining patience, speaking gracefully, and fleeing from anger when our children don’t behave in the exact way we desire. 

3. Bondservants and Masters

This distinction can best be seen in our current society as roles of employee and employer. Employees should be pictures of obedience and love in whatever role they find themselves in. We don’t do a good job at work just to impress others, receive raises, or to people-please. We should work for our bosses as we would work for Christ. Likewise, employers should treat their employees kindly, showing no partiality. All this should be done knowing that we have a master in Heaven who sees each person as valuable and important. 

When Do We Work?

Many of us look forward to a time when we’ll be excited about our jobs. We say things along the lines of: 

“When I get this position I’ll be happy.”

“One day I will do something important.”

“Once my kids are old enough to go to school I can start my life again.” 

We believe that we’ll find our value and see meaning once we reach a certain rung of the company or role in society. Then we can really do work that is worthwhile and meaningful. But let’s look at the passage in 1 Corinthians 7:17-24. Paul is urging believers to live as they were called. Jesus paid the price to set us free to serve in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. He was speaking to many who were literally slaves, not just those in undesirable jobs. But he does not tell them to first get out of their positions so that they can then serve God. No, his encouragement is clear. Were you a slave when called? Never mind. Is yours a menial job? Never mind. Is it a job that is not esteemed as highly as other professions? Never mind. Were you uncircumcised? Never mind. Were you circumcised? Never mind. Whatever condition you find yourselves in, now is the time to work for God.

When you are called into the fellowship of Christ, you gain a new set of radically Christ-centered priorities; so much so that even if you are a slave (the worst position we can imagine), it should not cause you to fret. Servants of others have been made free in the Lord and those who are freed become servants to Christ. Our modern mindset seems to want to change everything but what needs to be changed. Instead of redefining everyone's role, would we not be more blessed if we learned how to serve God in the circumstances we find ourselves?

Four Thoughts About Our Work

1. God is more concerned with the way you do your current work than He is with you looking for new work.

“The problem is not that Christians aren’t where they should be, the problem is they’re not what they should be where they are.” -Os Guinness

2. Our idea of success in our work must be Biblical and not American. 

Let’s take our ambition and drive towards a “better life” and put it towards zeal and love for God and His revealed will in scripture. Vocation counters the materialism and self-centeredness of economic pursuits by giving them a new meaning and a new orientation. 

3. God’s revealed will is your sanctification, not your vocation.

We have all asked “What is God’s will for my life?” The Bible makes it clear that God desires that we grow in holiness and that can occur anywhere we find ourselves. “For this is the will of God, your sanctification…” (1 Thessalonians 4:3)

4. Your current vocation, for as long as you’re there, is God’s assignment to you. 

Wherever you are right now is not an accident. God is sovereign. He will work for you and through you in any job that you have. While our job may not be fulfilling the grand plan we have for our life, a greater plan is at work. “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established." (Proverbs 19:21)

There is a legitimate place for work but only after we have been served by God and his work in Christ. Everyone wants to change the world, but very few want to do the hard work to love and serve their neighbors. As Michael Horton writes, “Be very careful as we think about our callings in the world, what we’re doing. What are we doing when we go to work? Are we going to work in order to save the world or are we going to work in order to serve the world?” While there is a legitimate place to build things, the one thing we do not build is the Kingdom of God. God is establishing his kingdom. God doesn’t need anything since He’s the one who gives everything. Now, take all that He’s given you and use it to serve and bless others!