Glorifying God and Finding Meaning at Work

Many of us spend the majority of our waking hours at work.  Some view time at work as simply punching a time clock to earn a paycheck, or giving time to “the man,” so that they can get on with the business of enjoying the rest of their lives outside of work.  Is that all there is to work, or is it possible to find meaning and glorify God with our work hours?

God created us with the idea that we would be fruitful, and that we would work.  Though many view work as a result of the Fall, this view is incorrect.  Before the Fall, God created Adam and Eve, giving them the tasks of naming the animals and being stewards of creation.  For all of eternity, we will continue to work, serving the Lord.  In fact, God Himself works.  Because we are created in God’s image, it stands to reason that we would also enjoy work.

Here are my thoughts on 7 ways that we can find meaning and glorify God through our work.  By work, I do not mean only those jobs that generate a paycheck.  Some of the most important workers in the world do not get paid (for example, staying home with children), and can also include those who volunteer.

1.  Do your job with Excellence

Colossians 3:22 (ESV) tells us:  “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.  You are serving the Lord Christ.”  If we truly worked at our jobs as though we were serving Christ, would it affect how we do our jobs?

Regardless of how important or unimportant you feel that your job is, you honor God through the quality of your work, your attitude, and your effort.  You can glorify God by doing your job with excellence.

2. You are Serving God through what you Produce or the Service You Provide

Legitimate work results in products and services that meet the needs of people and enable their well being.  This comprises the primary way that we can regularly love others as ourselves. 

Simply put, hopefully the profession that you are in is of benefit to common humanity, and brings benefit and serves people.  Doctors, teachers, service workers, retail clerks, government workers , etc., all provide benefits to people.

Have you ever been ministered to by the compassion or extraordinary customer service of someone just doing their job?  This can bring great satisfaction.

Ecclesiastes 3:13 (ESV) says, “also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.”

3.  Opportunities for Evangelism and Fellowship in the Workplace

The Scripture says that we should always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that we have. 

At work you develop relationships with people as you spend lots of time with them.  As you develop friendships, you will have opportunities to share your faith with your coworkers.  Pray for these opportunities, and pray that God will open their hearts.

4.  Work Provides Opportunities to be Conformed to the Image of Christ

James 1:2–4 (ESV) tells us to ”Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,  for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

I strongly believe that God can use our workplace as a discipleship tool to help shape us into the image of Christ. 

We do face challenges at work.  Sometimes things don’t go our way.  There are frustrations.  Sometimes there are people that rub us the wrong way or treat us unfairly.  I believe that God can use all of that for His glory in our lives if we will let him, and if we do not allow ourselves to become bitter.

5.  Work is a Great Place to Let Faith Arise

The Scriptures say that it is impossible to please God without faith.

Jesus said that if we have faith, we can move mountains.  At work, we will face tasks that seem challenging, or even insurmountable.  I believe it is honoring to God to tackle these challenges with an attitude of faith, trusting in God to help us.

Don’t be that person who is always saying, “We can’t do that.” Or “It will never work.”  Be realistic, but with faith.

The Scriptures teaches us that if we are faithful in the small things, we will have opportunities for bigger things.  I believe it is also true that if we can have faith for the smaller things, we will be able to have faith for smaller things.  It’s like a faith training ground.

6. Believe for Empowerment of the Spirit on our Work. 

Ask God to help you every day to go even beyond your abilities, that there will be an anointing upon your work. 

Psalm 90:17 (ESV) says, “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!”

7. Work Allows Us to Provide for Our Families, and Give to the Kingdom

Ephesians 4:28 (ESV) says, “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need."

We are able to provide for ourselves and our families, and to finance the church through our tithes, and give to those in need.  I am thankful for the jobs that God has allowed me to have.

For additional reading, I recommend "Your Call to Work & Mission", published by the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in 2015.  I gleaned a couple of thoughts for this teaching from that resource.