There is something mesmerizing about period pieces in which the owners of a manor have a retinue of servants—a butler, scullery maid, valet, footmen. The owners are dressed by others and have their hair brushed by others. They don’t cook their own food, open their own doors or perhaps, even raise their own children. It is a world so foreign to us that it has its own entertainment market! And while we may not dream of having a gardener tend our conservatory, there is a part of us that wants to entirely escape all forms of work. I once knew someone that kept a countdown clock for retirement that was nearly ten years away! Many of us have had co-workers that start their Mondays by counting the hours to the weekend when they don’t have to work.
There is nothing sinful about being wealthy enough to have a personal staff. There is nothing wrong with eagerly anticipating a vacation or an upcoming retirement. However, we need to be careful that we do not idolize the absence of work. The concept of living a life void of every kind of labor is not biblical. It was not what Adam and Eve were called to (before or after the Fall), it was not the model of the patriarchs and prophets, and it is inconsistent with Christ’s example. In fact, God commonly refers to those with whom He is pleased as “My servants.” Abraham, Moses, Caleb, David, Isaiah and Job are just some of the names of people that are explicitly referred to as God’s “servants.” They were recognized by God for their faithfulness in laboring for Him.
Prior to beginning His ministry, Jesus was known by His occupation. “Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary…?” (Mark 6:3). He was first a worker before His greater calling where his workload only increased. Jesus rose “very early in the morning, while it was still dark” to pray (Mark 1:35). He ministered to crowds, He taught in synagogues, He healed the sick and cast out demons. At one point Jesus was so exhausted from work He was able to sleep through a storm that was fierce enough to scare the wits out of seasoned fishermen.
Jesus valued work personally and He taught about it publicly:
But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” (John 5:17)
We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. (John 9:4)
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. (John 4:34)
Speaking to the Father, Jesus said, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.” (John 17:4)
There is no room in Scripture for a Christian to grumble about work or to shy away from it. On the contrary, we should pray that God would give us wisdom to know how we can serve Him best. In doing so we are first, a witness to an unbelieving world.
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. (1 Peter 2:15–16). God’s will is that we show the world what real work looks like! The God-honoring Christian is the one that rolls up her sleeves and gets her hands dirty for Christ.
Second, work is what garners God’s blessing. His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ (Matthew 25:21). In this parable the reward is not received after a week of hard work, nor is it awarded in retirement, but in death for having been a “faithful servant.” The shape of our work for the kingdom may change in many ways over our lifetime, but it never ceases entirely on this side of the finish line.
From a biblical perspective work is not to be spurned but sanctified. Let’s avoid spiritual atrophy and ask God how we can be a more effective and efficient laborer for the kingdom. And if God has blessed you with a personal chef (that cleans up after himself) then accept what He has given and rejoice in His gift! (Ecclesiastes 5:19). Then after the meal, “whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might!” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).