What Is The Purpose Of Work?
“Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”- Ephesians 4:28
This verse made me do a double take. “That they may share with those in need.” Is that the purpose of work? I always wondered what was the point of having an income-earning job. Why did it matter to God that I earned an income? Was it godly to desire to earn an income? I didn’t really know, I didn’t think scripture talked about the purpose of our work.
There are a lot of scriptures outlining how we how and why we should go about our work.
We were given work by God:
“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”- Genesis 2:15
We are told that our attitude toward work should be to serve and glorify God:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,” Colossians 3:23a
We are instructed to work well as a testimony of the gospel:
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”- Titus 2:7-8
All of these things can be applied to any part of our lives, so, does God care whether or not we work for an income? Yes, yes He does care. But not for the reasons this world gives.
The world says work is for the pursuit of our pleasures, our power, our gain. But that’s not God’s desire for believers.
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” - Hebrews 13:5
God instructs us that it is good and holy to work at a job that supplies income. However, He has purpose for that income beyond the expensive makeup kit you’ve been eyeing.
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:8
“For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.”- 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
“Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”- Ephesians 4:28
The purpose of our work is not for ourselves. It is for the sake of others, and for the LORD to use our finances to bless one another. Work wasn’t meant to be our obsession, or a means to feed our every want and whim. Work is not necessarily pretty or attractive, but work is holy. God says it is part of His divine will for us to work, so we can help serve. We are wise with our finances, and we hold our money with open palms as an offering back to God.
We can become defensive of our work, and the money or goods we earned for that work. It’s ours! Ours to splurge, or hoard, or use for that fancy phone! We earned it! We deserve it!
But that money was never ours. We are told to work, but we are told to direct our finances outwardly. It’s meant to be used for more than our own desires. It’s meant to provide food and clothes for your family. It’s meant to pay for those medical bills. It’s meant for rent. It’s meant for living. But, it’s also meant for giving, and for stepping into someone else’s need.
These verses made me reevaluate the way I was spending my money. How much of my income is centered on me? Which sounds like a stupid question, but it’s what God wants to point out.
My work is not for me.
If I am feeling unfulfilled in it, maybe I need to reevaluate my purpose for working? If it is to have money, then I will always be unsatisfied with how much is in my bank account. If it is to buy all the most expensive and fancy things, I will always feel like my paycheck never goes far enough.
I work, and I work to glorify God through the way I work, my attitude about work, and how I spend what I earn from work.
What purpose have you given your work? What purpose have you given your finances? How does purpose align with God’s vision for work?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mia Grace loves sunflowers, words, old hardcover books, and fountain pens. She adores Jesus Christ, and seeks to listen and obey him in her life. Her life verse is Isaiah 52:7, and her prayer is for every girl to grasp the height, weight, depth, width, and power of Christ's love for them.