Rooting Path · Christian Living · Lesson 3 of 7 · Work · about 6 min
From The Christian Life Catechism, Q80
Why do we work?
The LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.
Genesis 2:15 · WEB
From The Christian Life Catechism, Q81
How should I go about my work?
Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.
Colossians 3:22-25 · WEB
From The Christian Life Catechism, Q83
Have I made an idol of my work?
Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.
Colossians 3:2-4 · WEB
We have talked about life inside the home; now we step outside it. For most people, well over half their waking hours are spent working.
Going to work, housework, caring for children, studying—all of these are work. If faith only works on Sundays, it covers only a small part of life.
The book asks: why do we work? The answer goes back to the beginning: “The LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.” (Genesis 2:15) Work is not a punishment that came after sin; before sin entered, there was already work to do. Only after sin did work come with “the sweat of your face.” (Genesis 3:17-19) So work holds both dignity and toil—both are true. Work also has a purpose that is often forgotten: “let him labor, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.” (Ephesians 4:25-32)
So how should we work? “whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:22-25) Paul first wrote this to people who were servants at the time—their situation was harder than any of ours. It means: whether or not the boss is watching, your work has a real audience. Elsewhere he puts it more widely still: “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) This teaching has another side too: after Colossians speaks to servants, it goes on to address masters: “Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.” If you are a boss or a manager, or you employ someone in your home, these words are written to you. James puts it even more strongly: “the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you have kept back by fraud, cry out.”
Work can also become an idol. The book’s Question 83 asks exactly this: have we made work an idol? Jesus said: “No one can serve two masters.” (Matthew 6:24) One simple way to tell: when God had finished his work of creation, “he rested on the seventh day from all his work.” (Genesis 2:2) Someone who cannot stop should ask whom they are serving.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men
Colossians 3:23 · WEB
Choose the job you usually do most half-heartedly (housework counts) and do it carefully once, as for the Lord; then set yourself a time to stop work, and when it comes, put it down.
Just this one thing. When you do it, tap that day below; if you don’t, that’s all right—try again next week.
Good. Tap each day you do it this week:
Putting down roots is not something you do alone. Find a brother or sister you trust (ideally of the same sex) and talk this question over this week:
Which part of your work feels most meaningful to you? When do you find it hardest to stop?