The Bible teaches Christians to have a godly work ethic that makes them the best possible employers and employees. As James and many others have said, “Faith without works is dead.” The Christian must live out their faith by the things they do. At home and in the community, at church and out of church, at school and at work.
Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him. (Colossians 3:12-17 WEB)
The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27) — “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together! … But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. “
- Work out your salvation versus work for salvation
- God abhors laziness (he wants us to be working)
- Examine yourselves test your faith (2 Cor 13:5)
But, if you have borrowed money and promised to repay it or if you have signed a contract to do some kind of work, then you have put yourself into a kind of servitude to the lender or employer. Therefore, we can still learn from these passages how to be better employers by treating our employees as God wants us to. And, we can learn how to be better employees through our godly work ethic for our employers.
Who Is This Man?: The Unpredictable Impact of the Inescapable Jesus by John Ortberg — Jesus’ impact on our world is highly unlikely, widely inescapable, largely unknown, and decidedly double-edged. It is unlikely in light of the severe limitations of his earthly life; it is inescapable because of the range of impact; it is unknown because history doesn’t connect dots; and it is doubled-edged because his followers have wreaked so much havoc, often in his name. He is history’s most familiar figure, yet he is the man no one knows. His impact on the world is immense and non-accidental. From the Dark Ages to Post-Modernity he is the Man who won’t go away. And yet … you can miss him in historical lists for many reasons, maybe the most obvious being the way he lived his life. He did not loudly and demonstrably defend his movement in the spirit of a rising political or military leader. He did not lay out a case that history would judge his brand of belief superior in all future books. His life and teaching simply drew people to follow him. He made history by starting in a humble place, in a spirit of love and acceptance, and allowing each person space to respond. His vision of life continues to haunt and challenge humanity. His influence has swept over history bringing inspiration to what has happened in art, science, government, medicine, and education; he has taught humans about dignity, compassion, forgiveness, and hope.
So, when you read master or servant in the verses below, please translate to employer or employee, manager or worker, or whatever your vernacular is. We all have people that work for us and we all work for others, so we can all learn from these passages. We can all improve our work ethic. Ask the Lord to show you what you need to learn today.
Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ; not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men; knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free. (Ephesians 6:5-8 WEB)
You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him. (Ephesians 6:9 WEB)
For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10 WEB)
Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality. (Colossians 3:22-25 WEB)
I beg you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus, who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me. I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News. But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will. For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. (Philemon 1:10-16 WEB)
Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed. Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things. (1 Timothy 6:1-2 WEB)
More studies on work ethic
- What is a Christian work ethic?
- 4 Ways To Glorify God At Work: a godly work ethic, giving it your all, being salt and light, being an ambassador
- What are good work ethics? Ethical work habits are an integral part of the lives of many employees and students. The exact definition of “good” work ethics is subjective, but many people consider certain characteristics as ethical and others as unethical. Good work ethics often inspire others to act in similar ways.
- 9 Types of Work Ethic – Work ethic is the belief that hard, diligent work has value to an individual. A strong work ethic may be viewed as a virtue that adds to a person’s character. The following are common types of work ethic.