A Theology of Work

Opening Question - Where do you work and how long have you been doing it?

Would you please open your bibles to Ephesians 2:8-9 and bookmark Genesis 2 ready to read as well.

Today, we talk about work. Something that we all do, whether it is an actual job.

Mirriam Webster dictionary defines work as the following:

a: to perform work or fulfill duties regularly for wages or salary

b: to perform or carry through a task requiring sustained effort or continuous repeated operations c: to exert oneself physically or mentally especially in sustained effort for a purpose or under compulsion or necessity

2: to function or operate according to plan or design

This would relate to something such as a machine working properly, but this definition is true of us as humans because God has a plan for us. He has designed us.

Before I get to the main part of the message, I do want to first mention important caveats or points to keep in mind on what I talk about work.

Caveats

We are saved by the grace of God

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Now i’m holding off on verse 10 and the importance of it for my next point. But be reminded, that it doesn’t matter how hard you try and or even truly work, works by itself do not save you. The point of this message isn’t for you to work hard so you can be saved. The point of this message is to realize the beauty of the grace of God and that your work is worship. God designed you to work and that work can glorify Him.

A lot of what I will be talking, as far as practical theology will relate to your 9-5 job, Monday through Friday. However, the premise still applies because Christians have a responsibility. More on that in a moment.

2. You can work even without a job

Focus on your spiritual disciplines and habits.

Focus on trusting that God has work for you to do.

Focus on finding work, maybe you are between jobs or you’ve been fired, you don’t have to stay idle. Or you are currently looking for one now.

3. Balance - Don’t Become a Workaholic

Genesis 2:1–3 ESV

1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

God doesn’t get tired, He is the sustainer and creator. No where does it say that He needed to rest, but He did.

So should we. He blessed the seventh day and made it holy. Work hard, but rest at moments. Proper rest helps us work better for the next week, but also helps us honor God as holy. In a practical sense there is this 6 day work, 1 day rest rhythm created into us. We are under the new covenant, so maybe some of the logistics of a set day has changed but this is built into our DNA as we see even God cultivated this rhythm of rest.

Work hard but don’t overwork into a workaholic. There will be seasons where you just need to work to be able to provide and you will find sacrifice in that area but your family and relationship with Christ is a priority. Balance is important.

Created to Work

I ask you this, did work come after or before the fall of Adam and Eve?

What I find interesting about the premise of work, is that God had assigned it prior to the Fall. Work is something that God had designed us to do.

We often may think that our job is a curse and that we have to bear through it to provide for our families.

Genesis 2:15 ESV

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

This has all taken prior to the fall, before Adam and Even sinned. God had and still has a purpose for us. He wants us to Work and work in of itself is not actually bad. Work became harder because of the fall, but work is actually what we are designed to do. In fact, the verse after Ephesians 2:8-9 that I have not read yet says

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

We are created to do good works to glorify God. God’s prepared the works, but we must walk in them.

Think back on one of the definitions of work: c: to exert oneself physically or mentally especially in sustained effort for a purpose.

Work doesn’t just apply to a job, there is work to be done.

What else do you think applies to a Biblical definition of work? What do you think that includes?

My goal for us is to be reminded that this kind of work, is to glorify and honor God. Whether this be at your job, or an activity, learning, studying, physical exercise, hobbies, i don’t think gaming, tv shows, and reels count as hobbies. We are not created to be lazy or idle, we are created to work. Because this work is to glorify God.

Glorify God in your Work

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. We are created to work. Our heavenly father worked when He created this world, and His spirit is still working in our lives. We are made in the image of God and there should be this desire, but we are not just called to work hard with humility and try to just be a nice person.

The emphasis is on bringing Glory to God.

So I ask you this, how do we glorify God in our work?

Three big components, even though there are many ways to glorify God.

Love those Around You

Mark 12:31 ESV

31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

How can you love those around you with your work?

2. Depend on God

The first verb, commit, is a word that, in Hebrew, literally means “to roll.” Other passages such as Genesis 29:3 and Psalm 22:8–9likewise use the idea of “rolling” something to the Lord. The idea is that we completely give something over to God in dependence upon Him. When we “commit” our work to the Lord, we offer everything we do completely to Him.

God is in control, don’t work out of anxiety or fear for provision, but trust in His providence and sovereignty.

Proverbs 16:3 ESV

3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

How can you commit your work to the Lord?

3. Make Disciples

Discipleship is a process so it’s a broad definition but this includes sharing the gospel, defending your faith, walking them through scripture, praying for them, holding them accountable in their sin, worshipping together, and more. We are called to make disciples and ofter we can do that through our work.