“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Col. 3:23).

Work fills most of our waking hours, but many of us endure it rather than appreciate it. We talk about “the daily grind,” dream of early retirement, and treat work like a four-letter word. Does that view line up with Scripture? How should we see and do our work each day?

Work Is a Good Gift

Scripture introduces work before sin ever enters the world. God places Adam in the garden “to work it and keep it” (Gen. 2:15). That job description wasn’t a punishment; it was a purpose. God made humans to cultivate, design, build, solve, and steward, as his image bearers subduing the world (Gen. 1:26-31).

We were created for fulfillment, not frustration, but the fall changed our work experience. Thorns and sweat turned effort into toil, and we still feel that tension. But even in a broken world, God’s original designs for work remain, as he empowers us to action and accomplishment.

Whether you clean rooms, coach students, repair engines, or lead teams, your work brings order, safety, learning, beauty, and stability into the world.

Ecclesiastes wrestles with the realities of work and life “under the sun,” acknowledging that sometimes it all feels as meaningless as Sisyphus forever pushing his boulder up the hill (Eccles. 1:2-3). But the book also acknowledges the gift and calls us to do “whatever” we do with all our might (Eccles. 9:10). Meaningful work gives us a sense of fruitful accomplishment. It allows us to partner with God in shaping the world he made.

Work to Make a Difference

So work is an opportunity from God to do something good; it’s a way to bless others. Paul says, “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor … so that he may have something to share with anyone in need” (Eph. 4:28). Work allows us to provide for our families, support the church, and meet the needs of our neighbors. Paul said, “these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:34-35).

Some days, our labor may feel small, but small work, faithfully done, matters (Luke 16:10). Whether you clean rooms, coach students, repair engines, or lead teams, your work brings order, safety, learning, beauty, and stability into the world.

There’s an old story about bricklayers building a cathedral. Three men were asked what they were doing. “Laying bricks,” said the first. “Earning a living,” said the second. But the third replied, “I’m building a cathedral.” The task was the same — only the purpose changed.

When we shift our motivation from impressing people to honoring God, even the mundane becomes meaningful.

Work for God’s Glory

Why do we work? Here are two modern misconceptions: (1) that you work because you “have to,” or (2) work to prove your worth. But Scripture invites us into a better motive. Paul writes, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Col. 3:23). That means filing papers, swinging a hammer, changing diapers, and making spreadsheets can all become acts of worship.

When we shift our motivation from impressing people to honoring God, even the mundane becomes meaningful. We discover that our value doesn’t come from our productivity. It comes from the One we serve. He sees our effort, delights in our diligence, and receives our everyday tasks as a form of devotion. Work becomes less about earning a paycheck and more about bringing a smile to God’s face.

Do Good Work Well

If work reflects our faith, Christians should be known as the most honest, diligent, and kind workers in the room. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (Eccl. 9:10). Our hope, care, integrity, and fairness point people to the character of our Father.

Commit Your Work to the Lord

Ultimately, our labor depends on God’s grace. Before Israel entered the promised land, Moses warned that prosperity could tempt them to forget God — “when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them … Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth” (Deut. 8:12,17-18).

What we do has lasting significance when we work with the Lord.

We work hard, but we pray for wisdom and help. “Commit your work to the Lord,” that is, lean on him, trusting rather than fretting about the results by your own hand alone, “and your plans will be established” (Prov. 16:3). What we do has lasting significance when we work with the Lord (Ps. 127:1).

The value of our work will last well beyond this life 1 Cor. 15:54-58). Work itself will continue too, as God’s servants “will serve him” in eternity (Rev. 22:3). Just imagine it: work without exhaustion, frustration, or failure, lifting up our Lord forever.