Work Is a Many Splendid Thing

We all have different views of work. Some of you may think I'm crazy for calling work "a many splendid thing." It seems that most of us would rather be doing something else. According to the Scriptures, then, most of us have a wrong view of work. Actually, over the years, most societies have viewed manual labor with disdain.

Aristotle declared working as a craftsman or a trader to be "devoid of nobility and hostile to perfection of character" (cited in Leland Ryken, Work and Leisure in Christian Perspective [Portland, Oregon: Multnomah, 1987], 64). In a similar vein Roman author Cicero wrote, "The toil of a hired worker, who is paid only for his toil and not for artistic skill, is unworthy of a free man and is sordid in character… Trade on a small retail scale is also sordid" (Ibid, 65).

Viewed apart from God, work seems to have very little value. Even Solomon asked, "What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun?" (Eccl. 1:3, NASB). Viewed completely from a human perspective, he concluded that work is futile. He continued, "Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun... Thus I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me" (Eccl. 2:11, 18, NASB).

Only when viewed from God's perspective do you see the value of work. Solomon concludes, "There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God" (Eccl. 2:24, NASB). And again, "Every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God" (Eccl. 3:13, NASB). For the Christian, all work is seen as a spiritual duty to be done in a manner that gives glory to God. First Corinthians 10:31 says, "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Note several aspects of the biblical work ethic:

(1) God commanded it: "Six days you shall labor and do all your work" (Exodus 20:9), followed by, "but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God" (v. 10). Six days of work is as much a command from God as is the day of rest on the Sabbath.

(2) God is our example that we should follow after Him: Various Scriptures tell us of God's work in creation, preservation, providence, judgment, and redemption. Also, the Lord Jesus worked by redeeming us, building His church, interceding for us, and preparing a place in heaven for us. The Holy Spirit works by convicting us of our sin, regenerating us, and dwelling within us to empower us.

(3) Work is part of the creation mandate to man and is therefore a normal part of our existence: "He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and vegetation for the labor of man, so that he may bring forth food from the earth" (Psalm 104:14, NASB). So, "Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening" (v. 23). Work was not the result of the curse when Adam fell from grace. The curse was that work became difficult and painful.

(4) Work is a gift from God: Remember Ecclesiastes 3:13? "Every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God" (NASB). Work provides us with value, purpose in life, and fulfillment. Through work God's image is seen in us, as we provide for the needs of all who are in our care.

(5) All work is to be done for the Lord: "Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men" (Eph. 6:5-7).

This biblical work ethic wasn't being followed by some in the church in Thessalonica. Whether they were influenced by the prevailing Greek, Roman, and Jewish views of work believing it to be beneath their dignity, or whether they believed work to be pointless because Christ would return soon, or whether they were simply lazy, Paul doesn't say. But he does indicate that these believers were causing strife in the church as they leaned on the church for support. As Paul shows, all who have the ability and opportunity to work should do so. Only those with legitimate disability or lack of opportunity should be supported by the church. That is the simple view of Scripture.

So we should all work as we are able and we should help those with legitimate needs. In that way, we can meet the commands of Scripture and be transformed into the image of Christ Jesus. Amen.