“Work” Is God’s Way!

Work, for many, is a way to be fulfilled, a means to better one’s self, and a means to have what one desires.  Hard work is embraced and desired by many. It is their means of happiness and one of their purposes in this life.

To others, however, “work” is a four-lettered word that saddens them and is something that they avoid as much as they can. Many have so much disdain for hard work that much of modern civilization is geared around ways to have the benefits of labor without any effort.

Instead of dreaming to be a carpenter, doctor, nurse, or one with a fulfilled future, many are dreaming of winning the lottery or getting someone else to do their work for them.  Others plan to take advantage of government handouts and get all they can from someone else’s hard-earned money.  Some deceive people out of their money, and countless other schemes of getting their “needs” met without laboring for them.  Laziness has become a way of life and the dream “job” for many.

God has much to say about “work” in His Word, the Bible.  For those that desire to know what God says about the subject and desire to live the way that pleases Him, here is some of what the Word of God says about “work”:

God works. If the creator works, those that He created should follow His example. Creation was some of God’s work.
“And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; …” Gen.  2:2   Also: Exo. 20:9, Ps. 8:3.
God works at protecting His people.  See: Ex. 1:31.

Jesus worked. If we are Christians, or “Christ-like”, we should emulate Jesus’ work ethic.
“But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” John 5:17   Also: John 4:34.

God wants us to work.
“… this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.  12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.” II Thes. 3:10
“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;” I Thes. 4:11
“Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:” Ex. 20:9   Also: Deut. 5:13, Ps. 104:23.

One will be happier if he works for what he gets.
“For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.” Psalm 128:2
“Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.“ Prov. 13:11   Those that try to get money an easy way without laboring for it, often find that they are always broke and cannot seem to keep what they have.
“There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.” Eccl. 2:24
Also: Prov. 14:23, Eccl. 3:13.

God can bless a hard worker, as He did Job.
“Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.” Job 1:10   Also:  Psa. 62:12, Eccl. 3:13.

There is the work of the ungodly that God does not accept and the godly should avoid.
“And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Mt 7:23   Also: Ps. 101:3, Ps. 135:15, Prov. 11:18, II Tim. 4:18.

A person’s character is often judged by his work ethic.
“Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” Prov. 20:11   Also: II Thes. 3:8.

There is a reward for laboring.
“Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.” I Cor. 3:8

Serving God involves work.
“But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”  II Tim. 4:5   Also: Rom. 16:12.

Worshipping God can involve working.
Israel had to work to make the tabernacle and Solomon’s temple. See: Ex. 40:33.
Work was required to repair the damaged temple, so Israel could resume worship: See: Neh. 2:16.
“Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” John  6:29   Also: John 6:28, Eph. 4:12.

God knows about our work.
“I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil …” Rev. 2:2   Also: Prov. 15:19.

One will not have his needs met, if he does not work for them.  He will have a hard life and will find himself wanting.
“The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.“ Prov. 20:4
“He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.” Prov.10:4   Also: Prov. 12:24, Prov. 15:19.

Laziness (slothfulness) hurts a person!
“The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.” Prov. 21:25
“The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.” Prov. 13:4

“Too many people quit looking for work, when they find a job!”