One of the most beautiful things about the gospel and a life spent walking with Jesus is the fact that there is no area of our life that the hope of the gospel cannot turn completely inside out. This is as true for our work lives as it is for our spiritual lives.
But we humans have a tendency to compartmentalize things, don’t we? We like to keep our “God things” tucked away in a box labeled “Sundays Only” or “Open When Things Go Reeeaaaally Wrong.” We treat the gospel as a ticket to heaven and maybe something we should share with the cashier at the grocery store.
Let’s open that box today, shall we? Let’s pour out all its contents and put the gospel to use in our work lives. After all, work—for as much of our lives as it comprises—can make or break our days, weeks, and years. Surely God has a plan to use the work you do for kingdom purposes! The gospel can transform you, your workplace, and those with whom you work.
First, we must debunk a common myth: My work only glorifies God and makes an impact in the kingdom if I’m a missionary or work in a church. My friend, be freed of this mindset. God is more than capable of using you in your work in your context. In fact, He has created you with specific gifts and purposes. If you have a passion for engineering, who do you think hardwired you for that kind of work? If you love children and teaching, who instilled those desires within you? The Lord has long been planning to use your work for His kingdom, from the time He knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). The way God has created you will serve a specific and holy purpose in the kingdom of God. If that happens to be ministry—praise God! If that happens to be air traffic controlling—praise God for that too! Regardless of the work you do—a classic nine-to-five at the office, a full-time class schedule, a part-time gig at the local coffee shop, or work at home—the Lord has ordained your work from the beginning of time.
Now that we’ve established that the Lord can use your work for His purposes, we can look at four ways the gospel transforms your work life.
Your Purpose in Work
Sometimes it may be easy to feel purposeless at work, as though the work you do is just to get paid. Providing for yourself and for those who depend on you is certainly a noble cause, as it allows you to serve those around you and not be a burden on others to provide for you. But here’s an important distinction: Your work and the money you earn is intended to free you to serve God and others, not serve yourself.
Paul emphasizes this distinction in 1 Thessalonians 2:9 (ESV): “For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.” Because Jesus has freed us from sin and death, we turn our eyes to heavenly purposes and God’s commands to love Him and love others.
Your work can be a powerful tool to share the gospel with others and free yourself to serve God. When work feels burdensome, let Paul’s words in Colossians 3:23–24 exhort you: “Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.” Your ultimate inheritance is not the money you earn or even the satisfaction you receive from doing well in your work; your inheritance is an eternal one, one that is given freely to you by Jesus. Therefore we work and serve God out of gratitude for the eternal inheritance we’ve received in Christ and steward our earthly earnings for the purposes of His kingdom. This perspective shift draws out meaning and purpose in even the smallest tasks we do at work: We don’t work for an inheritance but out of the riches of God’s love so that He might be glorified and made known.
Your Integrity at Work
The workplace can be one of the hardest places to maintain your integrity—your commitment to holding fast to the values that Jesus deeply cares about. Unfortunately, two of the most prevalent forces that shape a workplace environment are gossip and complaining, and both are in direct opposition to the gospel. Here’s a couple ways to combat gossip and complaining and to instead bring heaven to earth in your workplace.
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As those who have received grace from God when we didn’t deserve it, we are called to speak graciously to and about others, or as Paul puts it, “Take the lead in honoring one another” (Romans 12:10). Rather than engage in workplace gossip, honor your co-workers in conversations with other co-workers. Ask God to reveal to you how He sees your co-workers and bosses, and watch how your heart begins to shift toward love and grace for them. God does not show favoritism; He sacrificed His Son so that any one of your co-workers could come to know Him. If God Himself has sacrificed for your co-workers, then they are certainly worthy of your respect.
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It can be tempting to complain about your work or co-workers. But remember that work is a gift from God to allow you to serve Him and others. When work is unenjoyable, your unshakable joy and satisfaction in Christ can shine all the more brightly. Serve your co-workers by going above and beyond what is expected of you. Volunteer to do the nitty-gritty jobs, and ask the Lord to sustain you even in the most difficult hours. As Christ humbled Himself to joyfully serve and lay His life down for others, so are you to “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life” (Philippians 2:14–16).
Your Relationships at Work
Many of us have co-workers who rub us the wrong way, bosses who seem to take too much enjoyment in “being boss,” or those under our supervision who frustrate us to no end. The gospel transforms even these relationships! It all comes down to humility.
Jesus served and submitted to His Father and to earthly authorities all so that we may be set free from sin and death. Likewise, your service and submission to God and those around you puts the gospel and the heart of Jesus clearly on display. Jesus served and laid His life down so that we might receive eternal life (Matthew 20:28). He denied Himself and submitted His will to the Father (Luke 22:42). When you follow the example of Christ, you have the opportunity to welcome your co-workers and bosses into the kingdom of God, both here on earth and for eternity. And you, too, will reap the benefits of peace in your relationships with your co-workers and the satisfaction that you join in Christ’s work of humility.
Humility in Christ will take your eyes off of yourself as you fix your eyes on Jesus. And as you gaze upon Him, your co-workers will look at you and begin to search for the One you behold.
Your Rest from Work
It’s no secret that we live in a culture that is busier than ever. Sometimes we’re confronted with a workplace culture that places work above all else, encouraging people to skip lunches, work overtime, and give up precious few hours of sleep and restful weekends. But in resting from our work, we reveal the gospel of Christ.
Rest is necessary to work, but rest is also necessary to live lives that honor God. When we rest, we declare that (1) we have limitations, and (2) we rely on God’s grace, not our own work, to provide security. Practicing the Sabbath is a great way to get the rest that you need, engage in life-giving relationships and activities, and honor the Lord by trusting Him with 24 hours that you don’t spend striving.
Too, in resting, we reveal to others that life is about more than work. Our lives as Christians ought to, in many ways, be spent enjoying the grace of God. It’s hard to enjoy anything when we’re constantly going going going, isn’t it? God wants us to slow down, sit with Him, and enjoy His presence. When we do so, our work will be transformed, as it will come from a place of rest, not a place of striving.
Additional Resources for Prioritizing Christ:
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Jesus is Better Hebrews Bible Study |
The Prayer Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to the Practice of Prayer |
Good Christian Girl | Hope in Christ When You Feel Like You Don't Measure Up |
Is God Enough for Me? | Finding Real Contentment in Christ |
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