Theology of Work

six days ye shall work. like or not

Ephesians 4:28, “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.”

1 Thessalonians 4:11, “that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,”

2 Thessalonians 3:7-11, “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. 10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.”

Comments:

1. I’m not sure where the idea about having a “passion” for work. My work itself is relatively unexciting but I like getting paid! (I feel passionate every other Friday! :) )
   
   
2. We are to provide for self and have enough to provide for others that have needs (Ephesians)
   
   
3. There’s are right ways and wrong ways to gather wealth (filthy lucre) (1 Timothy 3:3)
   
   
4. Since the furtherance of the gospel requires wealth, the church needs to be supported. The Christian is to support his local church (no verses cited but seems obvious)
   
   
5. Saving for the future is part of the work conversation (Proverbs)
   
   
6. Even the great Apostle Paul was willing to do menial labor to provide for himself (there’s a lesson there for some who are leeches on the church!)
   
   
7. We don’t live to work but work to live
   
   
   
   

Every believer’s primary career is serving our Lord. Subordinate to that but quite valid are vocational pursuits. In serving our Lord we apply as much of his Word in understanding and making all the decisions regarding all of the circumstances that are involved in whatever vocation we eventually find ourselves. Then we operate as an agent of God in our vocation whether it involves owning a large corporation or replacing light bulbs.

We may get some personal satisfaction from our work but for the believer this is not always necessary seeing that there are very exceptional circumstances for him/her. For example, some men or women may go to work each day dreaming of better circumstances and find a certain dissatisfaction, even contempt, for their job and personal situation because those dreamed of possibilities are too far off to ever be realized. But the Christian, though possibly not finding personal satisfaction, finds intense spiritual satisfaction in acting as an agent of God in being an excellent employee who is devoted to a high standard of performance, trustworthiness, patience with others, forgiving, being a peacemaker, being a leader and example of integrity and so on, all which have their appropriate impact according to God’s providential work. Interestingly, such spiritual virtues often to translate into certain forms of personal satisfaction on many occasions.

What is most important is your divine agency.