This is an excerpt from Dollars and Doctrine provided by author, Rob Kuban. Rob is one of our Everyday Money Heroes.
When facing this question, the Bible gives us every reason to want to answer it correctly. Scripture’s advice on the overall purposes and mentality of our work offers keen insight to the spectrum of human labor.
Work without God
“What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun?…And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.” (Eccl. 1:3,13-14)
“So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind. Thus I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun…Therefore I completely despaired of all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun…For what does a man get in all his labor and in his striving with which he labors under the sun? Because all his days his task is painful and grievous; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is vanity.” (Eccl. 2:17-23)
“Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” (Ps. 127:1)
“It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.” (Ps. 127:2)
Work with God
“There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?” (Eccl. 2:24-25)
“I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor- it is the gift of God.” (Eccl. 3:12-13)
“How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways. When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, you will be happy and it will be well with you.” (Ps. 128:1-2)
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; and do confirm for us the work of our hands; yes, confirm the work of our hands.” (Ps. 90:17)
Only God can give satisfaction in our labors. Without His purposes expressed and lived out in our labor, we are merely working to accumulate “stuff” that doesn’t satisfy the soul. When Christians work as to the Lord, they glorify God and are met with deep peace and satisfaction. “You shall eat of the fruit of your hands, you will be happy and it will be well with you.” In addition, such work creates another witness to the unbelieving world. Imagine the conversations around the coffee pot if a new employee showed up that didn’t complain, didn’t gossip, respected those above and below his step on the corporate ladder, always worked hard, felt there was profound purpose in the tasks at hand (no matter how mundane), and found genuine satisfaction in a job well done. This would make a strong statement that there is more to life than simply, “Another day, another dollar.”
God has designed each of His children to accomplish specific purposes: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10) Before the world was made, the Lord prepared works for us walk in. I believe the Lord has specific things for you to accomplish: “’I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD.” (Jer. 29:11) Does this not revolutionize our attitude towards work? Many Christians do not feel the peace and satisfaction the Lord has promised for their work because they do not work as God has commanded, nor do they believe He has purposeful work for them to do. Whether you have been stunted by ignorance or apathy, begin this day to commit your work to the Lord.
Finally, do not make the mistake of thinking that all of these instructions only apply at the office. We must honor God’s commands for our work not only to our employer, but also to our spouse, children, friends, neighbors, house, yard… Open your mind to believe that all the activities of our lives have unique and special purpose in Christ, not only our “job.”
“Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31)
“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Col. 3:17)
“You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things.” (Matt. 25:21)
As long as we compartmentalize all of the Bible’s instructions for work to revolve around our “j-o-b,” we miss a life of satisfying successes as we complete the works for which He has created us. Fixing that leaky toilet, helping your neighbor move, or cleaning out the garage, become opportunities to serve and steward. Do not buy into the world’s message of grinding through the drudge of another day in an ultimately meaningless orbit around the sun. Christians are called to purpose, not to merely punch the clock.
Average Americans go to a job they more or less tolerate, do only what is necessary to make it through the day, and return home to plop on the couch and watch television until it is time to head to bed and repeat the process. Does this sound appealing to anyone? Honestly? I believe we all can learn something from the way a small child answers the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” There is so much excitement, purpose, and significance to the work they choose. All of us can’t be policemen, princesses, or presidents, but in Christ, let us reclaim the idea that we can obtain and enjoy excitement, purpose, and significance in our work. Perhaps some of us need to re-ask ourselves, “What do I want to be when I grow up?” A person’s life can be transformed as they begin to believe they have been created with specific purposes to achieve, goals to accomplish, dreams to realize, ambitions to fulfill, resources to manage, and people to teach.
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