In our world today, there is much discussion of “work” and its value to our families, to our culture and to the economy.  I’ve listed some thoughts on the subject.

The Bible says that “in all work there is profit, but idle talk leads only to poverty.”  (Proverbs 14:23)  Many in our world consider work to be a drudgery…something they reckon to be a necessary evil. There are folks that are content to stay home and be idle, passing their time with non-productive activities. And, of course, we know some are unable to do physical work.

There are distinct advantages to being able to work and to benefit from the activity that is afforded in working. From a biblical viewpoint, let’s look at three areas that can benefit us from work.

First, work strengthens the body. Solomon writes in the Proverbs that “work will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Along with the benefits to our bodies, studies show it is good to have a proper balance between work and leisure. This is a modern day concept compared to the time of our forefathers who worked from sunup to sundown where their working was more for survival and much less for entertainment.

God did make us with physical bodies. He placed Adam and Eve in the garden to work it and take care of it…managing His creation. That was Adam’s job and one of great pleasure.

However, after the fall, God said to Adam…because of your disobedience, “Cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; and you shall eat the plant of the field; by the sweat of your brow you shall have food to eat.” (Genesis 3:17-19)

Regardless, we should not consider work as a curse but instead, a gift from God to use our God-given skills to glorify Him in furthering His Kingdom.

Secondly, work sharpens our mind. We read in Daniel 5 that Daniel had mind possessing skills of an extraordinary spirit, knowledge and insight, interpretation of dreams, explanation of enigmas, and solving of difficult problems. As a slave in the Babylonian empire of King Nebuchadnezzar, his work brought him into favor of the king due to the mind-boggling abilities he possessed in service to the king.

We can find knowledge, facts, understanding (how to use facts) and wisdom plus when and where to use our knowledge. II Timothy 2:15 challenges us to “be diligent to present ourselves approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.”

Lastly, work helps to discipline the spirit. Paul directs the Roman Christians…”Take your everyday, ordinary life---your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life---and place it before God as an offering and spiritual worship.” Also, Paul tells us to “hold fast the word of life…because we do not run in vain nor toil (or work) in vain. Hugh Whelchel states that for Christians, our life without work is meaningless, but our work must never become the meaning of our life. We must make the purpose of our work to have an impact on the world around us…doing our work in an excellent fashion and not done carelessly.

So, in using a simple definition that work is any activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result, we are exhorted to follow the admonition of the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 10:31: “So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do (work or play), do all for the honor and glory of God.”  Amen and amen.

Gary Goodwin

Calvary Bible Chapel