From Drifting to Driven: Working on Purpose

“Monday morning. The alarm blares. You drag yourself out of bed, dreading the inbox, the meetings, the customers, the chaos. Sound familiar?”

We often think of work as something we have to do, just to survive or get to the weekend. But what if work is more than just a paycheck or a grind? What if it’s a God-given calling—a way to worship, to witness, and to bring glory to God?

Today, we’re going to explore what the Bible says about work—not just church work, but your work, wherever God has placed you.

The Theology of Work

Created by God

Genesis 2:15 “15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”

paradise not punishment

reflects the image of God

John 5:17 “17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.””

Ephesians 2:10 “10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

But while work began as a good gift given from God as a purpose for His people, something went wrong…

Corrupted by Sin

Genesis 3:17–19 “17 And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; 18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. 19 By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.””

brokenness of creation

thorns / bodies / etc.

Commanded / commended by God

still good

Ecclesiastes 2:22–24 “22 What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? 23 For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity. 24 There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God,”

Thankfully, the story does not end in Genesis 3. Christ came to redeem all things - even your job!

Corrected in Christ

Colossians 3:23–24 “23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

Jesus gives purpose to every task

whatever you do!

Jesus is your boss

Your reward is from and to Jesus

1 Corinthians 10:31 “31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

“The Christian shoemaker does his duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes.” — Martin Luther

So how should we view our day to day work in light of God’s gospel?

The Wisdom in Work

Work is Wonderful

Ecclesiastes 3:12–13 “12 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; 13 also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.”

Genesis 1:31 “31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.”

Proverbs 22:29 “29 Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.”

Main Idea: Work brings satisfaction, purpose, and provision when done rightly.

Illustration: The joy a craftsman feels after building something well.

Quote: “The workman’s joy lies in the work itself.” – C.S. Lewis

Application: Don’t despise your job—see the value in what you create, repair, or serve.

There’s joy in a job well done… Provision

God designed us to be productive and fruitful.

Even in a fallen world, work brings fulfillment when aligned with God’s purpose.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 “10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.”

Quote “There is no work so humble that it cannot be made a calling from God.” — Tim Keller

But work is more than functional or enjoyable - it is also deeply spiritual !!

Work as Worship

Colossians 3:17 “17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:24 “24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

Romans 12:1 “1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

Worship isn’t just something we do on Sunday—it’s how we live every day.

Every honest task done for God’s glory becomes an act of worship.

God receives glory when we serve faithfully in our work.

Main Idea: Every task can be an act of worship when done with a heart for God.

Quote: “There is no distinction between sacred and secular. All of life belongs to God.” – Abraham Kuyper

Your work also has a missional purpose…

Work as Witness

1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 “11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”

Who do you work for?!

excelence / integrity / Diligence / honesty = christians are the best employees

Who you work with?

2 Corinthians 5:20 “20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

your coworkers are watching !!

Matthew 5:16 “16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Now let’s turn the focus even more personally: how do you know what God is calling you to do? How do you know if you are doing the Work God has for you?

Your Calling and God’s Glory

1 Corinthians 7:24 “24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.”

1 Corinthians 7:17 “17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.”

You are Called to Work

1 Peter 4:10 “10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:”

Vocation comes from the Latin vocare—“to call.”

Every Christian has a calling, whether it’s leading a business or changing diapers.

Main Idea: Your work is past of God’s calling in your life.

Application: Where has God placed you right now to make a difference?

You’re not expected to do it alone…

You are Empowered to Works

Romans 12:6–8 “6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”

1 Corinthians 12:4 “4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;”

Philippians 2:13 “13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Ephesians 3:20 “20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,”

God gives spiritual power not only to preachers, but to plumbers, teachers, artists, and engineers.

“God doesn't call the equipped. He equips the called.” …

Your skills are a gift to serve both God and others.

and finally remember this isn’t just about surviving the work week - it’s about living on mission !!

You are Sent into the World

John 17:18 “18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.”

Your workplace is not separate from your ministry—it is your ministry.

Your coworkers, clients, students, or patients are your mission field.

God wants to shine His light through you where you are.

God created work. Sin corrupted it. But Jesus redeems it. Whatever your job, it’s not meaningless—it’s ministry. You were made for more than a paycheck. You were made to glorify God in your work.

Will you view your job as a sacred calling?

Will you work with integrity and joy?

Will you be a light in your workplace?

Group Questions:

Read Genesis 1:26–28 and Genesis 2:15. What do these verses tell us about the original purpose of work?

How does the Fall in Genesis 3:17–19 affect the way we experience work today?

Colossians 3:23–24 says to work “as unto the Lord.” What does that practically look like in your job or daily tasks?

What’s the difference between working for money and working for God’s glory?

How can someone without a traditional job (e.g., student, retired, stay-at-home parent) apply this theology of work?

Share a time when work felt frustrating or fruitless. How might seeing work as worship have helped in that moment?

How does your attitude at work influence your witness to coworkers or family?

What does it mean to be “called” to your current role? How can you discern God’s calling in your career?

Read Ephesians 2:10. How does this verse shape your view of what you do Monday–Saturday?

What is one specific way you can honor God more in your work this week?