Unless you are independently wealthy, you will spend the bulk of your life sleeping, eating, and working. Many people find themselves in a job that gives them little satisfaction. They live for the weekends, vacations, and retirement, describing their work as a daily “grind”. Instead of looking forward to getting up and going to work each day, a sizeable portion of our population would prefer to win the lottery and quit their job.
Confucius is attributed as saying, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Sounds so wise, but I don’t think it’s realistic. Even if you are fortunate to love your job, there are days you don’t look forward to it. That’s why we call it “work” instead of “fun”. We enjoy our hobby and get a sense of satisfaction from it, but can’t seem to find anyone willing to pay us to do it full-time.
While not making a habit of complaining about our job, at times we wonder if there’s something that would make us happier. Here are a few questions I’ve heard over the years regarding this activity that consumes such a large part of our lives.
- Is work one of the results of God’s curse of sin? Is it a “necessary evil” to put food on the table?
Answer: Before sin entered the picture, God had given Adam the job of tending His garden and naming all the animals. Sin changed that, such that God’s curse made every task harder and less fulfilling. But, there’s nothing evil about working.
- If your job is with the church, is it “sacred,” while other jobs are “secular”?
Answer: There is no such distinction in the Bible. Paul was a tentmaker. Jesus was a carpenter. Jobs are different, but one is not holier than another.
- If you “answer the call” to be a pastor or missionary, is God more impressed with your commitment to Him than He is if you have a job not directly involving His work?
Answer: No. When Christians applaud a youth who “surrenders to the call” to be a pastor but doesn’t make a big deal when a youth decides to enter a trade school or other work, they give the impression that one job is better than another. God gives people a variety of personalities and aptitudes because He wants His witnesses scattered and working throughout the population.
- If your job is more “supportive” or outside the public view, is it less valuable than one in the public’s limelight?
Answer: God has made some people to be entrepreneurial. He’s made others to have a supportive role or to have less public work. Being the boss is not the goal. Doing a good job is.
- Should you take a new job just because it will pay more?
Answer: Not necessarily. A decisive question is “Will it help or hinder my Christian growth?” When facing any decision, you should ask the Lord for wisdom and “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5–6)
Whatever your job, if you know Jesus as Savior, He is also your Employer. There will be times you find your work somewhat mundane and routine, but the emphasis of the Bible is not on what your work is, but on the attitude with which you do it. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (Colossians 3:23)
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