Why do you work?

Work may be defined as a spiritual, physical, or mental activity directed toward the accomplishment of something. Many people work for money. They run around literarily until they drop dead or their health fails them. Such persons treat life as a rat race. The comedian, Lily Tomlin said, “The problem with the rat race is that even if you win, you’re still a rat.”

Why do you work? Is it for money, bill payments, punishment for the sin of Adam or provide for family and others? There is a biblical point of view for why we work. God requires us to work because it enables self-sustenance. It empowers us to provide for our families. Acts 20:33-35, 2 Thessalonians 3:10, 1 Timothy 5:8. When we do our work well, it brings glory to God. It enables us to give to others Ephesians 4:28. Finally, the outside world respects you for your work. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12.

Who is your Employment Officer? God was man’s first employer. Genesis 2:15. He remains your ultimate employer regardless of who comes between you and Him. (Psalms 75:6). Work is not an end in itself but a means to an end. The ultimate goal for work is to sustain life to serve the Lord. Acts 20:18-24. You are better than animals. They hunt for food to sustain life as an end in itself.

Humans work to become, not to acquire. Your work tests your character, faith, obedience, love, integrity, and loyalty. Every day at work is an opportunity to deepen character. Romans 8:28.

Secular versus Spiritual Work
One of the common misconceptions regarding work is the notion that certain jobs are spiritual while others are secular. The idea behind this categorization is that spiritual work is by divine appointment, while physical work is not. Due to this understanding, some are waiting to really serve the Lord when they become full time ministers. You see a different picture however, when you considered the lifestyle of Apostle Paul.
“After Athens, Paul went to Corinth. That is where he discovered Aquila, a Jew born in Pontus, and his wife, Priscilla. They had just arrived from Italy, part of the general expulsion of Jews from Rome ordered by Claudius. Paul moved in with them, and they worked together at their common trade of tent making. But every Sabbath he was at the meeting place, doing his best to convince both Jews and Greeks about Jesus.” Acts 18:1-4.
The Apostle continued to work as a tentmaker during the week while he served at the temple on the Sabbath day. He may have touched other lives during the week if the opportunity came up while he made tents. There was no demarcation between when he carried out spiritual and secular work. Assuming the tent making was done unto the Lord, he had no secular job at this point in his life. The idea of spiritual and secular jobs is recent and unbiblical.
Which of the following is a secular job?
A security man does his work as unto the Lord.
A preacher with 20 years of experience preaches from 10-year-old notes without praying or any other form of preparation.
A pizza delivery person carries out all deliveries as unto the Lord.
A Sunday School Teacher resigns “to spend more time with his family” because he did not get recognition for her efforts.

It is not the nature of a job that makes it spiritual or secular but whether it is done unto the Lord or not. Any job carried out as unto the Lord is not secular. The following 2 bible passages reveal fundamental truths that should shape our attitude to our work:
“Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work.” Colossians 3:22-25.
“Servants, respectfully obey your earthly masters but always with an eye to obeying the real master, Christ. Don't just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ's servants doing what God wants you to do. And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you're really serving God. Good work will get you good pay from the Master, regardless of whether you are slave or free.” Ephesians 6:5-8.
The following important facts can be gleaned from this passage:
We must approach every work as a God-given job.
There is a reward from God for every work beyond the earthly compensation.
Our real Boss, Supervisor or Manager is God Himself. Our earthly boss is just a representative.
Give your best at your job.

There are several examples of good works in the Scriptures. In 1 Timothy 5:10, we read, “well reported for good works: if she has brought up children (child rearing), if she has lodged strangers (hospitality, hotels, nursing homes), if she has washed the saints’ feet (all church-based ministries), if she has relieved the afflicted (medical, nursing, social work, public service, prison), if she has diligently followed every good work.

Summary:
No job is secular if it is done unto the Lord. Do your work as someone attempting to please God. If the nature of your job is such that it cannot be done unto the Lord, you need a different job.

Recognize God as your ultimate Employer. Ask Him to lead you to a job that you really enjoy and that will be an expression of your natural and acquired abilities. The more a job utilizes your areas of strength, the more fulfilled you will be at doing it.

Have a positive attitude at your workplace. Your job provides opportunities for character development. Don’t complain about everything, backbite with others and get involved in activities that do not glorify God.

Aim to be the best at what you do. God deserves and demands it.

You work on earth carries rewards that are both temporal and eternal.