I have a lot of free time these days. The classic idling phase of job-hunting has left me questioning my daily purpose, role, and worth. I have come to re-realize that although I verbally refute that I find these things in my career, I actually do to a large extent. Such a disheartening and yet breakthrough revelation! I decided (through my husband’s gentle urging) to revisit some Biblical references on the matter to clear the slate on how I view work, which I have sadly equated with my role in life.
Old Testament:
Exodus 35:35
He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them master craftsmen and designers.
Proverbs 12:11 He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies (or follows worthless pursuits) lacks judgment.
27 The lazy man does not roast his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions.
13:4 The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
16:26 The laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on.
20:13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.
21:5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
22:29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.
28:19 He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
31: 9b-31
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom ,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all
. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Let me side note that I have left out several verses from Ecclesiastes, because the entire book would need to be quoted to glean the meaning of the individual verses. The ultimate point is reached at the end in ch 12: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man.” This summarizes not only the book, but the theme of the Old Testament.New Testament:
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Matthew 9:37-38
Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.
John 6:27
Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."
John 9:4
As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
Romans 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 4:11-13, 15-16
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ… speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Ephesians 4:28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
1 Thessalonians 2:9
Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to 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 3:6-13 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 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 make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.
1Timothy 5:9-10-14 No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.
1 Timothy 6: 7-10
For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
2 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Titus 2:3-5 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Hebrews 6:10
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
I can see that the Old Testament focuses on practical work in harvesting and hunting, also practicing craft and trade. Normally I may assume this was men’s work, but we see that Ruth harvested in Boaz’s field. Proverbs 31 gives a beautiful and clear picture of the hard-working woman of that time. She makes clothes, provides food, trades, gives to the needy, watches over the affairs of her household, does not eat the bread of idleness. More importantly, she is of noble character, her husband has full confidence in her, she lacks nothing of value, she brings good, she has strength and dignity, she speaks wisdom and faithful instruction, and she is to be praised because she fears the Lord. Perhaps more is expected of women during these days, working in and out of the home. Men today may relieve some of that pressure in the home, allowing the women to work outside more. Regardless of the role we assume, as Paul instructs the church of Colosse, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
In fact, it seems that verse in Colossians summarizes the whole theme of working in the Bible. The New Testament still references laboring and toiling so as not to burden anyone when preaching the gospel. (Wow, the disciples not only worked in preaching and evangelizing, but also in daily tasks). However, work is newly presented in light of spreading the gospel, each person having a different task in comprising the working body of Christ. Romans 12, 1 Cor 12, and Ephesians 4 list spiritual gifts, which should be exercised. This can, but does not have to be linked with working at tasks in and out of the home, earning wages from it or not. In fact, the ability to earn money exercising your spiritual gifts (from a church or organization) did not really exist to the early church! The women are exhorted to do good deeds such as raising children, showing hospitality, helping those in trouble, managing the household, being self controlled and pure, and teaching the younger generation what is good. On the contrary, we are asked to not be idle, be addicted to wine, gossip, be busybodies, or slander. Amazing how woman’s character has not changed over the years, those are still all the ways we are tempted to behave today!
The next huge point addressed pertaining to my having a job, is the necessity of not valuing money. Having some money obviously is a necessity, but I cannot allow it to drive my actions or intentions for getting a job.
In conclusion, whether my role involves earning money and working outside the home or not, I do need to work hard daily as to the Lord. While I do not have children, it is especially important to avoid becoming like the young widows in 1 Tim 5, and fill extra time in Godly ways- in or out of the home. My value comes from Christ alone, and He wishes to see me exercise the gifts He has blessed me with!
