Stewardship

1 Chorintians 10 : 31
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do
it all for the glory of God.”
WHY DO WE WORK?
5 things the Bible says about
work
1. Work is a gift from God
2. Those who are able to work should do so
• “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule:
The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat. We hear
that some among you are idle and disruptive They are not
busy ; they are busybodies. Such people we command and
urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the
food they eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12).

• Billy Graham once wrote about this passage, saying,

“Please note that this wasn’t spoken to people who
couldn’t find jobs. This was instead directed at people who
had every opportunity to work—but refused to do so.”
3. Work like God is your boss.

• The Apostle Paul said, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and
not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as
your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).

• These words can be especially encouraging—and challenging—if you

don’t like your job or have trouble getting along with your boss. The Bible
tells us that all Christians are ultimately working for the Lord. Paul wrote,
“whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”
(1 Corinthians 10:31).
4. Take time to rest

• The fourth commandment says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it

holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a
Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your
son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your
livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates” (Exodus 20:8-10).

• Billy Graham wrote, “Our work was never meant to become the center of
our lives.”
5. Put God first when you plan for old age

• The Bible doesn’t specifically address the

current-day concept of retirement, which is a

relatively new idea. We do know that many of

the Bible’s best-known servants of God never

stopped working for the Lord, even when they

were quite old.

• Billy Graham, who eventually retired from public
preaching but served the Lord as long as he was
able, once responded to a question from someone
whose life goal was to retire at age 50. Mr. Graham
didn’t condemn retirement, but he offered this insight:

• “Your goal … suggests that you’re only concerned about

yourself. What will you do with the remaining years of
your life, once you retire? Will you pursue a life of self-
centered indulgence, living only for yourself? If so, you
will end up restless, bored and empty.

• “Instead, I urge you to put your life into God’s hands

by committing your life to Jesus Christ. Put Him at the
center of your life, for only then will you find lasting joy
and peace and satisfaction.”