Our work is a very important part of our lives and most of our productive years are spent working. We get a sense of purpose from the work we do, whether we work at the office, work-from-home, stay-at-home, or whatever category our work falls into. Many of us work a combination of two or more of these jobs.
Our workplaces are also our mission field and we should treat them as such. We have access to non-believers that we would not have otherwise met. Work is also the way God uses to provide for our physical needs and the experiences we get from working with people from diverse cultures can stretch us and cause us to grow.
As parents, so much depend on the income we bring in from our jobs - food, clothes, rent, school tuition, practically everything that needs to be purchased. Our salary does not even begin to cover it but we see God work miracles in our lives from paycheck to paycheck. Many of the work we engage in is an expression of our gifts and talents which we received from God. We need his guidance and wisdom so that we do not stray from the path that gives him glory and the more our work glorifies him, the more he adds to what he gave to us.
Why pray for your work?
It is expedient to pray over everything - our children, family, and ourselves. We must pray over what we do, asking God to bless our work and our paycheck so we can meet the needs of our family and be productive members of society.
While you may be gainfully employed, many others have been laid off, their workplaces have been shut down or their businesses have gone bankrupt. This may have happened through no fault of theirs, bad things also happen to good people. We cannot control the outcome of many situations that befall us but we serve a God who is at the helm of the affairs in our lives and knowing this gives us peace. If you lose your job you can claim God's word in Romans 8:28, 'And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.' You can also trust that you will come out on top of that situation.
Your work is an avenue through which God is glorified. The Bible says in Matthew 5:16, 'Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.' Your attitude to work can tell others much more about God and the kind of Christian you profess to be than you ever could tell yourself.
Scripture verses about work
Colossians 3:23 - And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.
Psalms 90:17 - And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.
Psalms 128:2 - For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with there.
2 Thessalonians 3:8 - Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you.
Ephesians 4:28 - Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
John 5:17 - But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
Proverbs 12:11 - He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
Genesis 2:15 - And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
Proverbs 13:4 - The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
1 Timothy 5:8 - But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
Titus 2:7-8 - In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 - For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
Proverbs 6:10-11 - Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 - And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.
Proverbs 18:9 - He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Deuteronomy 15:10 - Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 - Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
John 6:27 - Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Acts 20:35 - I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Hebrews 6:10 - For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
2 Timothy 2:6 - The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
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