Project Description

2013/09

Is there a Christian Work Ethic?

The ‘Christian work ethic’ is often attributed to the teachings of Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin and is often styled the ‘Protestant Work Ethic’. God’s Word contains considerable teaching about work, and shows clearly that it is God’s will for an able bodied person to work when opportunity arises.

1. The Institution of Work
As a result of Adam’s sin God cursed the ground, and man was to work with toil and sweat to provide for his most basic needs (Genesis 3:17-19). But man was created and designed by God to work; Adam was commanded to dress and keep the garden (Genesis 2:15). He was not to be idle! And so, while initially a blessing, work became a burden through sin. But even when we enter our eternal rest, Christians will not be exempt from work. In Heaven the Christian will serve God (Revelation 7:15; 22:3). As in Eden before the fall, this service will not be hard toil; it will be a delight to serve Him.

2. The Instruction for Work
Scripture gives clear instruction regarding work:
The Exhortations to Work –  “In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.” (Proverbs 14:23) Hard work brings profit; mere talk leads to poverty.
“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.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10) Here a strong work ethic is commanded, together with a warning concerning slackness.
The Examples of Work – In Proverbs 6:6-11 the ant is given as an example of industry.  The lesson is, take the opportunity to work when it arises, for verse 8 states that the ant, “Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.” Christ taught the same lesson in John 9:3: “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” He instructed us, by word and deed, of both the necessity and the opportunity to work.

3. The Imperative of Work
Paul issues a solemn warning in 2 Thessalonians 3:10:  “if any would not work, neither should he eat.” – if an able bodied, capable man has opportunity to work but refuses, then he should not eat.  This emphasises the Scriptural principle that a man should work to provide for himself and his family where opportunity exists and health permits.

Consider Colossians 3:23-24 and Ephesians 6:7-8. Here we are exhorted to work as unto the Lord, knowing that He will reward us for earnest, wholehearted labour.  In essence, this is the Christian work ethic – a believer is to labour in life as unto the Lord. Whatever our duties in life, we are commanded to give our best, labouring ‘heart and soul’, because we are stewards of the gifts the Lord has given and are accountable to Him.