How Then Should We Work?

What bearing does any of this have when I clock in on Monday morning? God desires to use our work for His purposes. How, then, should we work?

1. See Work as a Calling from God.

If God can use one’s work to help creation flourish providentially, then work is a calling. Not only do those with a clerical collar that receive a calling, but also the farmer, the teacher, the nurse, etc. Every job and work is a calling from the Lord to help creation flourish. Every station of life, whether it is paid or unpaid, matters. Gene Edward Veith, Jr. writes, “Vocations are oriented not toward self, but toward neighbor.”[1] Vocation is the station of life where the Lord has placed one to be helpful to others. Vocations can come with a paycheck, but many do not.  Paul writes, “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.” (1 Corinthians 7:17). While the apostle is talking specifically about marriage, he helps us see that our stations in life are a calling that the Lord assigns. Whatever your job, vocation, or station in life, the Lord has called you there for a specific purpose.

2. Work for the Glory of God.

Whatever we do in our work is to be offered as worship to Christ to glorify God. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31). What helps us see that work is for God’s glory? Let me offer two things. First, we work ultimately for the King. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul offers his “household codes,” describing how one can walk in the way of Christ through their role in the home. Paul encourages slaves to obey their earthly masters because they ultimately work for Christ. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24). We, therefore, ultimately work for King Jesus. Second, work should be done with excellence and integrity. We should constantly ask ourselves, “Is this business expense report, poured concrete, conference meeting, plowed field, changed diaper, etc., worthy for Jesus?” We strive towards excellence in our work out of love for God and love for our neighbor.

3. Represent and Strive towards God’s Kingdom through Work.

Paul writes that we are ambassadors for Christ here on earth (2 Corinthians 5:20). When we work and live out our vocations as representatives of God’s Kingdom. We work as salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16) to display the love of Jesus to a watching world. We are also vehicles of God’s provision to creation. God uses the doctor to care for creation. God uses the educator to bring wisdom and knowledge into the world. God uses artists and architects to bring beauty to the world.

[1] Gene Edward Veith, Jr., “Vocation and Human Dignity,” Logia, 31.3 (2022): 15