Stewardship Of WorkSample

Why Do We Work? 

Some people think that the reason for working is "I owe, I owe, so off to work I go."

But the reason we work is not just to pay bills. There is an inherent value of work, because when we do a job well, we receive a deep satisfaction from it. We were made for working!

God placed Adam in the garden and put him to work. Therefore, because God is good and has chosen to be glorified through our work, we are able to enjoy work and find a significant part of our identity in it. In fact, as we keep work in proper balance, retaining our primary identity in Christ, we find true meaning in it.

Dorothy Sayers argued that it is more true to say that we live to work than it is true to say that we work to live. Of course, we need to work to provide for ourselves and for our families. We do need to make a living. But we shouldn’t miss the central point (in the midst of our hectic work) that we are created to work. Sayers also argues that it is more true to say that we play to work than it is true to say that we work to play. Our culture emphasizes that we work for the weekend, for the vacation, or for retirement. But a Biblical perspective would emphasize the need for rest (and play) in order to refresh ourselves so we can work more effectively throughout our lives (even in “retirement”).

The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:31 – “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” But despite mentally acknowledging this truth, most Christians struggle with the meaning of their ordinary work “in comparison with what they do on Sundays or in activities typically associated with the spiritual, the ministry oriented, or the ‘eternally’ important.

But we must guard against the strict categorizing of our life. If preparing and delivering a sermon or teaching a Sunday school class or speaking at a youth meeting is labored over with great care and excellence to the glory of God and is seen as a holy activity, even so one’s daily work when accomplished with honesty, integrity, and excellence to the glory of God is also a holy activity.

It is wrong to assume that we are not serving God in our secular job unless we are witnessing. The work itself is a spiritual activity as we do it to the glory of God.

So work should not be seen as undesirable and unfulfilling, with people longing for early retirement. That is the world’s attitude to work. Christians should not reflect these attitudes. There should be a distinct difference in the attitudes and motives and goals of Christians toward work. Work is not just about the paycheck, but it is about serving people and God, who instituted work.

Quote: “Those at the top of the mountain didn't fall there.” – Unknown

Prayer: Lord, I thank You for showing me that You have created me to work and that work is not a 9 to 5 job that I do, but what I do with my time each day. Amen