Even before the fall of man, work did exist. Adam was given the work of tending and taking care of the Garden of Eden before he got deceived by Satan and fell into sin.
Work is good in God’s eyes. God is a creative God and He has ordained that man who is created in His very image should work to reflect His glory, to provide for his own family and others. In Genesis, we read that God created everything and acknowledged that all that He created was good.
God sees the attitude behind every action. Your attitude behind work matters to God. If you are working to please God rather than man, you are on the right track. No matter who your boss is, you must work as to the Lord. It is God who gave you your job, not your boss. God is your ultimate provider and so you work for Him.
Colossians 3:23 - And whatsoever you do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Ephesians 6:7 - With goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
God never wants us to make it all by our own strength. He works through His children and gets the glory for it. We can do nothing without God. God alone is our source of providence, strength and power.
Proverbs 16:3 - Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
Intelligence and skills can be God’s gift to us. Using them in a God-honouring way is our gift back to God. Do we give our best effort in working both smart and hard for the singular purpose of bringing glory to God?
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Do you find your work to be of little value? If your work is legitimate, then God doesn’t. Whether you are a sweeper or the president of the United States, you can bring glory to God through your work. God doesn’t use the scales that man uses.
Proverbs 14:23 - In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips [tendeth] only to penury.
2 Timothy 2:6 - The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
Laziness is inactivity when you know that you are supposed to act. God will not accept lame excuses that we often give people for being lazy. Lazy people postpone or never accomplish what they are supposed to do. Laziness is squandering God-given gifts, talents, opportunities and resources.
Philippians 2:14-15 - Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Proverbs 6:6-8- Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise
Creativity is a reflection of God’s ability. Be creative, work smart, work diligently and you will see the fruits of your labour. Wisdom and knowledge are good and God's Word encourages us to pursue them. Gaining and applying wisdom according to God’s will glorifies God.
This Post: Hard Work in the Bible
Other posts you may be interested in:
Biblical Principles to Live By
Biblical Principles of Money Finance
Biblical Principles of Restoring the Lost
A Biblical View of Using Talents and Gifts
Biblical Principles of Time Management