5 Reasons Work Ethic Matters
This past week my sister and I have been spreading bark on the garden beds in our yard. It was hot outside while we worked, but we had fun listening to audio dramas as we worked. And there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of spreading that last wheelbarrow full of bark. 😉 This got me thinking about the importance of a good work ethic.
When I think about my generation and the one before it, “a strong work ethic” is not the first description that comes to mind. Instead, I think of videogaming, failure to launch, and putting in just enough work to pass a class.
When I think about work ethic, one particular memory stands out in my mind. My youth group was doing a car wash fundraiser for a mission trip. There was this one lady who didn’t pay well but was still really persnickety about how well her car was being washed, pointing out every speck we missed. I remember feeling annoyed and a little embarrassed that she was being so persnickety. Well, my dad jumped in and upped our game, so eventually the lady was satisfied and left. When we grumbled about that lady afterward, my dad told us we should be working that hard on every car we washed. He ended up helping us wash cars for the rest of the day (something he definitely didn’t have to do!), and his example changed my attitude and effort while washing cars that day. When I think about work ethic, I think about my dad and how he puts his best effort into every job, whether mowing the lawn, volunteering at church, or working his paid job at the hospital.
In this technology era, sometimes work ethic seems like it’s not as important as it used to be. But a good work ethic is not just a nice idea, it’s something that matters to God. Here’s 5 reasons why having a good work ethic matters:
1: We were created to work.
Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. Genesis 2:15
Before the fall, in the perfect world God had created, God gave Adam and Eve work to do. They were to cultivate the earth, they were given rule over all creatures (Gen. 1:28), and Adam was tasked with naming the animals (Gen. 2:19). Work was not a result of the fall. What was a result of the fall was that cultivating the earth would become difficult. However, from the beginning God gave us work to do, which gives us purpose and a way to glorify Him (see Eph. 2:10).
2: Good work ethic points people to Christ.
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. Philippians 2:14-17
16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
As believers, we are Christ’s ambassadors (see 2 Cor. 5:20). A good ambassador is always considering whether their actions are accurately reflecting the character of the one they represent. When we have a good work ethic, we are able to point people to Christ and glorify God. The question we must ask ourselves is whether we are accurately representing Christ in our work, our effort, and our attitude.
3: Everything is to be done for God’s glory.
22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Colossians 3:22-24
17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17
If everything we do should glorify God, then our work should glorify Him. If we view or work, whether it be paid or volunteer or simply household chores, as service to Christ, it should change our attitude and effort. When we work hard out of love for Christ, it makes work more meaningful.
4: God warns against laziness.
10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. 11 For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise, Which, having no chief, Officer or ruler, Prepares her food in the summer And gathers her provision in the harvest. How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? “A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest”— Your poverty will come in like a vagabond And your need like an armed man. Proverbs 6:6-11
God makes it clear that we reap what we sow – if we choose laziness, we also choose not having enough. Living in a culture of government handouts can make God’s instructions on work seem harsh, but in fact God’s ways are for our benefit. Laziness leads to “acting like busybodies,” “an undisciplined life,” and “poverty” according to these passages of Scripture. Instead, God calls us to do whatever work we find “with all your might” (see Eccl. 9:10). When we work hard, we have what we need, and we are able to share with others who are in need (see Eph. 4:28).
5: We work to bless others.
35 In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35
28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. Ephesians 4:28
When we work hard, we are able to share with others in need. We’re able to bless others with what we have, however little or much it is. And sharing with others is another way we can point people to Jesus.
Whatever work God calls us to, whether that be chores, homework, volunteer work at church, or a paid job, we have the opportunity to do our best for the glory of God or be half-hearted for our naturally lazy hearts. It sounds like a no-brainer when I write it that way, but I know from experience how much harder it is to choose to do my chores or homework for God’s glory instead of doing enough to get by. May we remember the example of Christ, our position as His ambassadors, and do our work heartily as to the Lord, knowing our inheritance is from the One we serve!
With love,
Kelsey
