Discovering the meaning of our work
In work we share in God’s management of the world

• God is a worker
  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…and he saw that it was very good!… (Genesis 1:1,31)

  Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man… (Genesis 2:7)

  But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.” (John 5:17)

• We are created in God’s image…work is a gift
  Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish…the birds…the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth…” Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over…” Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.” (Genesis 1:26,28,29)

  The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. (Genesis 2:15)

• All work and workers have worth and dignity
  Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free. Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites. (Ephesians 6:7-9)

  Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people…the Master you are serving is Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24)

• The challenge and danger of work
  And to the man he said, “…the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains.” (Genesis 3:17-18)

At work we share God’s love with the world
…God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)

Through work we experience and share God’s generosity
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. (2 Corinthians 9:8-10)

We offer God’s rest
So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest… (Hebrews 4:9-11)

Reflection Question: How do you view work? What would it look like if you acted as if Jesus was your boss?