Devotional for Work
Work can be a complex topic to discuss in our society currently.
There have been debates over the minimum wage, wage gaps, unemployment time frames, maternity leave, retirement age, Social Security, and government assistance programs.
And I have no desire to debate the specifics of any of them.
But I worry that we have fallen far away from God's desire for work.
We become focused on the peripheral issues and lose sight of working to the best of our ability in whatever we are doing, simply because we are supposed to, because we are capable.
We instead focus on the wage, the hours, the benefits, the vacation time, the co-workers, the boss, etc.
We miss out on the intent.
God created us to work. To give us a purpose.
We can read this in Genesis 2:15 (NIV): The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. That was before the fall of man.
Work, in and of itself, wasn't a punishment. But sometimes we view it as such.
But the bible is clear. If we are physically able to work, we are to work.
And we all struggle with work sometimes—feeling overwhelmed, unmotivated, or resentful. That doesn’t make you a bad Christian; it makes you human in a fallen world where work became harder after the fall. The good news? Jesus worked perfectly for us—first as a carpenter, then as our Savior. He doesn’t shame you for struggling; He invites you to work in His strength, not yours, and promises that your labor in Him is never in vain.
Are you working to your best ability? What's getting in the way of doing what you are capable of? Have you allowed bitterness, laziness, discontentment, and/or greed to enter your heart and stop you from working hard?
In marriage and family life, working with excellence looks like:
- Bringing your best energy home to your spouse and kids, not just to your boss
- Praying together for God’s purpose in your work instead of just complaining about it
- Letting your kids see you work hard with joy, not resentment, so they learn it’s a gift from God
- Balancing work and home so your marriage doesn’t become a casualty of overtime
- Choosing to glorify God in your job even when no one else sees, because your spouse and family are watching
Take the time to read the Bible scriptures below and truly focus on what they are saying to you. Some passages may touch you differently than others. Writing down the verses in your own hand is helpful for some individuals. Possibly looking up the verses in your Bible may be beneficial. I use a NIV bible translation. Or reading them over and over to commit to memory. Whatever method works best for you to experience God’s words and feel closer to Him.
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.
2 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Ephesians 4:28
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.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
2 Thessalonians 3:7-10
For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
Proverbs 6:6-11
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.
Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Proverbs 10:5
He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
Proverbs 14:23
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 16:3
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Ecclesiastes 5:12
The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.
1 Timothy 5:8
Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Ephesians 6:7
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,
Titus 3:14
Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.
Here's a short prayer if you're struggling to find the words:
Father, some days work feels like a burden, not a blessing. Forgive my grumbling and any laziness. Thank You that Jesus worked perfectly for me and that You see every effort I make. Renew my purpose in my job today. Give my spouse and me strength to bring our best to work and home. Let our family see Your glory in the way we work hard and rest well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Try one of these today:
- Before starting work (or chores), pray one sentence: ‘Lord, I work for You today, not just for a paycheck.’
- Tell your spouse or kids one way your work today is serving your family (and God).
- When motivation lags, pause for 60 seconds and thank God for the gift of work—then tackle one small task with excellence.
I pray that this post reminds you of the importance of work and motivates you to keep going and persevere.
God bless!
Melissa
