Stewardship Of WorkSample

What Is Work? 

The Bible has much to say on the subject of work even though work is often seen as a necessary evil. 

In Genesis 1:26-28, men and women who are made in the image of God are called to exercise rulership (or dominion) over the whole creation. 

Only God can make something out of nothing. But we are called to make something out of something. We can take a tree and make a table, clay and make a statue, wood and make a musical instrument, etc. God is the creator. Since we are created in His image, this means that we are all called to creativity. We are sub-creators or co-creators. We are created to work using our unique gifts in creative ways to change and shape the world around us. 

Society often refers to work as “paid employment.” While the Bible addresses this aspect of work, the Bible also uses words for work that encompass broader definitions that embrace dominion over nature, service to others, and all productive activity. 

Geldard* defines work in this broader way as “the investment of one’s energy in dominion over nature and the service of others”. Stevens** also defines work in a broader way as “purposeful activity involving mental, emotional or physical energy, or all three, whether remunerated or not”. As a result, businessmen, manual laborers, homemakers, volunteers offering services, and God are all individuals who work.

There are two extreme attitudes toward work prevalent in society today: making too little of work and making too much of work, which Pawson*** calls “immorality” and “idolatry,” respectively. 

Many view work as a necessary evil, something to be avoided, in order to maximize their leisure time. As someone has put it, “they play at their work and work at their play” 

They want to make as much money as possible while working as little as possible. According to Pawson, this “attitude leads to other forms of immorality of the workplace” such as “the evasion of tax, calling in sick when you are not sick, [and] taking company property home as if it’s your own.” 

On the opposite extreme, others idolize work and derive their identity and security from their work. They will work long hours and sacrifice other important things such as their family, relationships, and church activities.

The Biblical view of work would be a balance between these two extremes.

Quote: “It is more true to say that we live to work than it is true to say that we work to live.” - Dorothy Sayers

Prayer: Lord I pray that I would have a right attitude to work, knowing that You have created us to work and not shirk it. Amen.

*Geldard, M. D. “Work.” Encyclopedia of Biblical & Christian Ethics. Rev. ed. Ed. R. K. Harrison. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1992.'

**Stevens, R. Paul. The Other Six Days: Vocation, Work, and Ministry in Biblical Perspective. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000

**Pawson, David. “Work.” Leadership Development Seminar.