6 Biblical Principles of work for Christian Workers and Employees
As we all take the day off to rest in commemoration of International Workers Day, it is necessary for all Deliberate Christians to re-examine their hearts and acts of service in accordance with God’s word.
God demonstrated his commitment to work in the creation story. He worked for six days and only rested when the work was completed on the seventh day. This shows that a Deliberate Christian ought to be diligent and known for excellent work like God did and still does. Such qualities as diligence, excellence, effective planning, quality assurance and project management are worthy of emulation by all Christians.
What Does the Bible Say about Work and Workers?
The Bible is full of admonition for workers about how work should be done and what the expectation of a worker should be when they work. We have listed a number of them and provided explanations by the help of the Holyspirit to guide workers in assessing themselves and their work on the scale of God’s word.
1. God is as interested in how work is done as he is in the outcome of work
Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah).
Colossians 3:23 – 24
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,
Ephesians 6:7
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
Colossians 3:22 NIV
Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
Ephesians 6:6 NIV
These verses show that a Deliberate Christian should never be found doing half-hearted or shoddy work because Whatever our jobs might be, we are working for God first, before any man. In other words, Christians receive two categories of reward for all they do. The first is the reward from God and the second, is the reward from men which we call salaries or wages. Other rewards can be in the form of recognition, awards and even promotion.
While other men earn earthly rewards from fellow men, a Deliberate Christian should aim for the reward that God gives above that of men. God’s reward is eternal. We shouldn’t get into the practice of eye service where some people are something before their bosses another thing before their co-workers and a world of difference behind their backs.
Some receive awards as best employees when they know deep within them that they really do not deserve such awards. Men can be deceived but God cannot be mocked, whatsoever a man sows, he shall surely reap.
2. God does not support idleness or laziness
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
2 Thessalonians 3:10 NIV
Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 NIV
We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.
2 Thessalonians 3:11
I cannot reiterate this enough. God is never in support of laziness or idleness. He wants us to work. Some people are unemployed today and unable to meet basic needs because they are choosy and unwilling to do legitimate available work. This could be as a result of laziness or pride. A common saying – an idle mind is the devil’s workshop holds true here. When Christians are not actively engaged in legitimçate work, they take up other unprofitable ventures like gossip, slander and the like. On the journey to what you desire, make the best use of what you have and be diligent at it.
3. A Christian worker’s labour is never in Vain
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 NIV
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 NIV
Office politics can lead to conspiracy and other unfair practices that can discourage even the most diligent Christian worker or employee. God is very much aware of this and he encourages us to persist in doing the right thing even in unpleasant circumstances. There is a time of harvest which you might not know, but God knows, and he assures that there will be a reward for choosing to remain in the light by doing good when others follow the multitude to sin. A Deliberate Christian must radiate the light of Christ wherever they are. Daniel did, Joseph did, and we can too.
4. Don’t be carried away by success or achievements
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
1 Timothy 6:17 NIV
Success and achievements are good, but they can also lead a man astray if one’s heart is not guarded. A Deliberate Christian must never forget the role of God in all they do and achieve. Without him, we can do nothing. The rich man who experienced an increase in his business thought it was a result of his effort alone. He forgot God is the one who gives the increase.
Our hopes for tomorrow or the present must never be in our thriving careers or businesses, but in God the giver of all good and perfect gifts and the one who sets some men up and puts down others.
I feel this also calls for us to remain humble regardless of how successful we might be, just as it encourages those who are struggling to not be envious of those who are successful. God decides the equation while we also play our part by being diligent and faithful.
It might seem like you are down and out now like Joseph, but if you remain diligent, working as unto the Lord, you will get to the throne like Joseph did.
5. There is no excuse for any man to be lazy
Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labour.
Proverbs 12:24
How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?
Proverbs 6:9 NIV
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
Proverbs 6:6
How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?
Proverbs 6:9 NIV
If ants are diligent, what excuse have you got oh able-bodied man? God blesses the work of the diligent with prosperity, not the sleep of the sluggard. The modern-day sluggard is sitting in front of the Television 24/7, he is chatting away without regard for time, he is procrastinating instead of doing what needs to be done on time. He forgets that time waits for no man, and some opportunities lost can never be regained.
6. Laziness is a brother to destruction, diligence leads to prosperity
May the Lord help us to be Diligent.
One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
Proverbs 18:9 NIV
Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.
Proverbs 22:29 NIV
Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.
Proverbs 10:4 NIV
Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation.
Romans 4:4 NIV
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
Proverbs 21:5 NIV
We all pray for prosperity when we should be praying for works that will lead to prosperity. Nothingness cannot prosper. Prosperity happens when God breathes increase upon a person’s work. It might come in the form of an idea, a task, or a project, without execution, there will be nothing to receive the supernatural increase that God gives.
Some receive ideas that can birth prosperity but stop halfway, others handle execution poorly. Without a doubt, it is God’s plan that we prosper, but we must all be ready to work.
Are you a Deliberate Christian Worker? On this International Worker’s Day re-examine the quality of work you do at work. If you are falling short of the standard of the word of God in any aspect, it is time to make amends.
Prayer for workers or employees
Thank you Lord for the gift of work to earn a living. Thank you for your strength, sound health and wisdom to work. May your name forever be praised. Lord, please forgive me for falling short of your standard for work. Forgive me for acts of eye-service, double standard and all other forms of unfaithfulness. Help me to shine the light of Christ amongst my fellow workers. I pray concerning all ill-treatment I am receiving at work because I have chosen to work as unto the Lord. Help me to keep looking unto you the author and finisher of my faith. Help me to not compromise and join the ways of unrighteousness. Regardless of what I earn, I believe that your blessings make rich and add no sorrow. Cater to all my needs according to your riches in glory so that lack will not entice me to be unfaithful to you at my work. Order my steps for progression in my career or business. Give me ideas that lead to prosperity, breathe upon my work and cause me to stand out amongst my equals. Help me to always remember that without you I can do nothing. Help me to be faithful in the payment of my tithe and in giving that devoured might be rebuked for my sake and I shall live in plenty and lend to nations in Jesus name I pray.
Are you encouraged to be a Deliberate Christian worker? Share one lesson you learnt from this post with us in the comments section and don’t forget to share this post with a friend, family or co-worker.
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