Genesis 2:2 'By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.'

Why you should work

Genesis 2:15 'The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.'

Certainly after the Fall work became tougher going (Genesis 3:19). But work can be redeemed in Christ, and for you it can be a source of dignity, self-esteem and legitimate pride. You can expect to get satisfaction from seeing the fruits of your labour:

Proverbs 12:27 'The lazy man does not roast his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions.'

2. To earn money

Note that 'work' is not necessarily the same things as 'paid employment.' Work is, by definition, sustained effort of a productive kind, and the young, the unemployed and the retired can all do it.

It's a principle of life that we should earn our own bread by honest work. State aid is a privilege, not a right. As a rule, you should aim to be gainfully employed. In Paul's day, some had stopped work because they felt Christ's return was imminent. He condemned their idleness and urged them to 'settle down and earn the bread they eat' (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12).

3. To help appreciate leisure
 

Relaxation and leisure lose their appeal when they become permanent. You appreciate them best as a contrast to hard work. Ecclesiastes 5:12 says, 'The sleep of a labourer is sweet.'

The fourth commandment prescribes one day's rest in seven, but the ordinance dates from before the law of Moses (Genesis 2:2-3) and is God's plan for your welfare—physically, mentally and emotionally. Don't become a workaholic and kill yourself.
 

Even in the age to come you'll have work to do. And the more diligent you prove to be in your work now, the greater the reward of more work and responsibility in the coming age! (See the parable of the minas in Luke 19:11-27.)

Some Important Reminders

1. All work is honourable

There are dangers faced by the family where the wife works full time as well as the husband, especially when there are young children. High tax is usually payable. The wife may well look her best at work and her worst at home, which is bad for the husband-wife relationship. A double-income lifestyle can become addictive. Children, when they come, may be neglected.

What to avoid in your work

1. Striking

Since a strike's effects are invariably disruptive and harmful, this should be the last resort for you as a Christian worker. Your calling as a believer is to be constructive.

Many of the New Testament's exhortations are not to employers and employees, who have a voluntary relationship, but to masters and slaves. A slave had no rights at all, least of all the right to withdraw his labour. If an opportunity to gain his freedom came up, a slave was urged to take it (1 Corinthians 7:21). Otherwise, the position was:

1 Peter 2:18 'Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.'

Biblical submission doesn't mean being a doormat. It includes the right to express an opinion, question an attitude or voice a legitimate complaint. Hopefully, your Christian attitude in a difficult work situation would normally prompt resolution by means other than striking.

2. Compromise

The theft of an employer's goods (tools, materials, stationery, etc) is clearly 'out' for the Christian worker (Titus 2:9-10). But stealing can take other forms. By neglecting punctuality you can steal your employer's time. By destructive criticism (often disguised as jesting) you can steal his reputation. The true Christian is no thief—in any of these areas!

Who are you working for?

Colossians 3:23-24 'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.'

It's Jesus you're really working for. Do your job accordingly. The above verse also urges you to work 'with all your heart'. Tackle your job with enthusiasm. If it's boring, devise ways of building a challenge into it.
 

Results of a right work-attitude

1. The gospel is commended

Christians are to serve their employers 'so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered' (1 Timothy 6:1). By the very way they do their work, 'in every way they will make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive' (Titus 2:10).

Don't make the mistake of regarding witnessing in company time as more important than work. It's unlikely to result in the salvation of your fellow-workers—especially the boss!

Some fellow-workers may despise you if you work hard. That's part of the price of being a Christian. But if you keep good humour and friendliness to the forefront and avoid a 'holier than thou' attitude, God's blessing upon you will close their mouths:

1 Peter 2:15 'It is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.'

2. Prosperity—now and hereafter

If you live according to the law of the Lord you'll know God's blessing (Psalm 1:3). The necessities of life—food, clothing, etc.—will be yours, plus more, as you bring God into your work life and see it as being under his kingdom-rule:

Matthew 6:31-33 'Do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.'

You'll also be able to look forward to a reward at Jesus' return (Colossians 3:23-24).

How to become a loyal employee
 

a. Kill off your independent attitude

This wrong kind of independence can be seen in:

Watch out for these indicators and seek God's help in reshaping your underlying attitude to one of loyalty.

b. Develop a servant's heart

Consider how you can become a better servant to your employer or your company. How?

c. Look to God to give you work-fulfilment

Psalm 62:5-7 'Find rest, O my soul, in God alone ; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I shall not be shaken. My salvation and my honour depend on God ; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.'

Finding a balance

The world of work is a much more competitive place today than it once was. Some employers demand a level of commitment to the job or company that is quite unreasonable.