Lasting Treasures: Biblical Financial Wisdom for FamiliesSample

Work as Divine Stewardship: A Biblical Perspective

Reflection

It's worth noting that work came before sin entered the world. In Genesis, we see God placing Adam in the Garden of Eden "to work it and take care of it" (Genesis 2:15) before the fall. This sacred origin of work reveals something profound: labor isn't a punishment or merely a consequence of sin, but rather part of God's original design for humanity. Work itself is an essential aspect of stewardship—a divine partnership where humans participate in the ongoing care and development of God's creation.

Our culture often portrays work as a necessary burden to endure—something we do merely to fund our weekends or retirement. This perspective reduces work to a transactional activity divorced from spiritual meaning. Even within Christian communities, we sometimes adopt this secular mindset, viewing our occupations as separate from our spiritual lives rather than integral to them.

The biblical view invites us to see work differently. When we understand that God Himself works ("My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working" - John 5:17), we recognize that our labor—regardless of its form—participates in divine activity.

Every act of productive life affirming work, whether building a house, caring for children, serving customers, creating art, or studying for exams, extends God's creative and sustaining work in the world.

Through this lens, our daily work becomes an act of worship. Colossians 3:23-24 reminds us: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

This transforms Monday mornings. The spreadsheet becomes a canvas for excellence that honors God. The customer interaction becomes an opportunity to embody Christ's servant heart. The diaper change becomes a holy moment of nurturing God's beloved creation. The classroom becomes a space where learning participates in God's truth and wisdom.

This biblical understanding reinforces the dignity of work. It elevates all forms of productive labor—not just those our culture deems prestigious or lucrative. The homemaker caring for family, the janitor maintaining cleanliness, the factory worker producing necessary goods—all these roles carry immense dignity as they contribute to human flourishing and the stewardship of God's world.

Of course, sin has indeed distorted work. Genesis 3:17-19 describes how work became toilsome and frustrating after the fall. We experience this reality in workplace politics, unjust structures, ethical dilemmas, exhaustion, and the temptation to find our primary identity in career success rather than in Christ.

Yet recognizing work's divine origin allows us to distinguish between work itself (which is good) and its distortions (which result from sin). This clarifies our mission: not to escape work, but to participate in its redemption, bringing Kingdom values of justice, excellence, service, and appropriate limits into our workplaces and occupations.

Reach out to God

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for designing work as part of your good creation. Forgive me when I view my labor merely as a burden rather than as sacred stewardship.

Lord Jesus, you honored human work through your years as a carpenter. Help me see my daily tasks through Your eyes and remember I am ultimately working for you.

Holy Spirit, transform how I view the work you've given me. Whether creating, organizing, teaching, serving, or nurturing, show me how these activities extend your work in the world.

May my work become worship and witness. Help me steward my talents and time in ways that reflect your character and contribute to human flourishing.

In Christ's name,

Amen.

Reinforce

Consider how your specific work—whether paid employment, homemaking, volunteering, studying, or creative pursuits—contributes to God's world:

• How does your work help meet human needs?
• How does it bring order, beauty, or clarity to some aspect of creation?
• How does it participate in justice, truth, or healing?
• How might God be present in the ordinary tasks of your day?
• What would change if you approached your work primarily as stewardship rather than just as a means to earn income?

As you engage with these questions, invite God to transform your perspective on work. Ask for eyes to see the sacred within the ordinary tasks of your day, and for wisdom to steward your talents, time, and energy in ways that honor Him and serve others.

Remember that in God's economy, no faithful work is wasted. Even when we cannot see immediate results, work done as stewardship plants seeds of the Kingdom that will bear fruit in God's perfect timing.