Understanding God’s Design
I periodically receive questions from various sources. Sometimes, I feel the questions and answers would be helpful to a larger audience. Here's my answer to one such inquiry.
Thank you for reaching out with these thoughtful questions. Christians are called to understand and apply God’s Word to every area of life, including work. Let’s begin by exploring your first question:
How does God define work?
The Foundation of Work in Creation
To understand work from a biblical perspective, we must start at the beginning—Genesis 1-3. As you noted, God worked for six days to create the heavens, the earth, and everything in them (Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:11). Genesis 1:31 tells us that after completing His work, God looked upon all He had made and declared it "very good." This speaks to the result of God’s work and the nature of the work itself. God’s work was perfect, good, and righteous.
In Genesis 2:1-3, we learn that God finished His creative work and rested on the seventh day, setting the pattern for His image-bearers. However, it's essential to recognize that God never ceases to work. He holds the universe together by the word of His power (Colossians 1:17), and He never slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:4). So why does the Bible tell us that God rested? This truth serves two purposes:
- It establishes the pattern of work and rest for us as His image-bearers, working for six days and resting on the seventh.
- The absence of the “evening and morning” statement on the seventh day (Genesis 2:3) implies that God intended the rest His creation enjoyed to be a perpetual rest.
Work Before the Fall
In Genesis 2:15, God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden to “cultivate and keep it.” This work was part of God’s perfect creation. Before sin entered the world, work was holy and fulfilling. The Hebrew verbs used for "cultivate" and "keep" are later applied to the work of priests in the Tabernacle, signifying that Adam’s labor in the garden was a sacred responsibility.
Therefore, we can conclude that God intended work to be good and holy. The connection between Adam’s work in the garden and the priests’ service in the Tabernacle points us to the idea that work reflects God’s creative activity and is meant to be an act of worship.
The Impact of the Fall on Work
Sadly, Genesis 3 reveals how sin corrupted the goodness of work. When Adam disobeyed God, the ground was cursed, and work became toil. Genesis 3:17-19 describes how labor would now be accompanied by pain, sweat, and difficulty:
“Cursed is the ground because of you;
In toil you will eat of it
All the days of your life.
Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you;
And you will eat the plants of the field;
By the sweat of your face
You will eat bread,
Till you return to the ground…” (Genesis 3:17-19).
Yet work retains its intrinsic value despite the curse when done for the Lord. Although it is no longer free from hardship, it can still be holy and pleasing to God.
Work Redeemed Through Christ
The New Testament affirms the goodness of work, particularly when it is done with integrity and for God’s glory. In Colossians 3:22-24, Paul encourages believers to work “heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,” knowing they will receive a reward from the Lord. Similarly, in 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, Paul emphasizes the importance of working diligently and not living idly.
Thus, even in a fallen world, Christians are called to labor in ways that honor God. Work that provides for our families, contributes to society, and serves the Kingdom of God is good and pleasing to Him.
What Kind of Work Is Acceptable to God?
While many types of work are good, Scripture provides guidelines for what is acceptable. First, work that violates God’s commands or compromises our conscience is off-limits for believers. However, we must remember that individual consciences can vary, and what might be permissible for one Christian may not be for another. For example, some believers may feel comfortable working in specific industries, while others may avoid them to avoid temptation or compromise. Those jobs could include a veterinarian working on racehorses used for gambling. Or a waiter working in a restaurant with a bar.
Ultimately, work is acceptable when it aligns with God’s Word, serves His purposes, and reflects His character.
Should Christians Strive to Work Only During Daylight Hours?
Your second question asks whether Christians should work only during daylight hours. The short answer is no. There is no biblical requirement to work only from sunrise to sunset. However, working during daylight aligns with our natural circadian rhythms and promotes healthy living. Jesus and His disciples worked during various times of the day, including at night (Matthew 26:40), showing that work schedules can be flexible.
God has also given us the freedom to rest and enjoy other activities. Jesus attended celebrations, including extended wedding feasts, and encouraged His disciples to take time for rest and refreshment (Mark 6:31).
Conclusion: Work as Worship
The Bible defines work as a good and holy endeavor rooted in God’s perfect creation. Although sin introduced toil and hardship, work can still be done for the Lord’s glory. As Christians, we should strive to work diligently, with integrity, and in a way that honors God. Whether you are working to provide for your family, contributing to society, or serving in ministry, all work done for the Lord is pleasing to Him.
May we all seek to view our work as an act of worship, offering it to the One who created us for His glory.