Why Work is Important in a Christian Walk
Many things in life seem important. They feel important. They swallow us in busyness and consume our time.
For example, we have to earn money so we can buy food, pay bills, and have a place to live. Earning money takes time and effort. For some people, their entire lives are wrapped up in the pursuit of money. And when they aren’t chasing money, they can feel bored, disconnected, or disillusioned.
There is nothing wrong with working. The Bible says we should not only work, but do it well. Colossians 3:23-24.
“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.”
And if we work in a way to serve the Lord Christ, it should come from a heart attitude that matches the directive in Colossians.
Sometimes it’s hard not to mail it in when working. Maybe you’re tired, not feeling well, or unhappy with your work situation. There are legitimate reasons why our work may not be up to par on a given day.
But the overall attitude should be to work heartily for the Lord. And not for men.
How would this show in life? Boise State head football coach Spencer Danielson broke it down in a simple manner. He said in his profession he walks according to three things:
“Love Jesus, work hard, treat people right,” Danielson said on the Sports Spectrum Podcast.
The reason Jesus stands at the top of his list is because of his faithfulness.
“Money will let you down, football will let you down, family will let you down,” Danielson said. “The only thing that won’t is Jesus. My relationship with him … is everything to me in how I walk this path daily — in regards to being a coach, being a husband, being a father. Everything stems from that.”
Finding ways to live in this manner can be found a few verses earlier in Colossians 3. In verse 15 and the first part of verse 16, it says,
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly … ”
If the peace of Christ rules in your hearts, you will be thankful. And your work ethic and dealing with other people will flow from you in a Christ-like manner. This can occur if the word of Christ dwells in you richly. Keeping Christ’s words close to your heart helps you with the difficulties of maintaining the right attitude throughout the day.
Some Christians may view work as secular, but perhaps leading a Bible study as spiritual. However, the Bible doesn’t give this distinction. Look at verse 22 in Colossians 3.
“Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.”
None of this means we can’t enjoy life. But the thing we must do is keep Jesus foremost in our minds in everything we do. In so doing, the difficult things will become more tolerable. And the easier things will be profoundly more enjoyable.
