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Genesis 1:29; 2:8, 15; 1:31; 2:19; Ecclesiastes 3:13; 5:19; II Thessalonians 3:10; Ephesians 4:28; Philippians 2:13; Proverbs 18:9; 21:25; 26; 26:13-15; Luke 16:10-12; Colossians 3:16, 17, 23, 24; Psalm 34:8-10; Matthew 6:31-33; [John 6:27]; Philippians 4:19; [Hebrews 6:10]; I Corinthians 15:57, 58

In Genesis, we see God’s plan for man included the privilege of work. Work, or labor, has a bit of a negative connotation in our culture today. That should not be — especially among the Christian family.

In Genesis 1, God gave man all the rich resources of the earth to sustain him physically. However, this was not to be a "free lunch." God required man to do his part, that is to work, laboring in the garden. In Genesis 2:8, to "dress" means to labor. In Genesis 2:15; to "keep" means to steward. Work was part of God’s plan which He declares was "very good." Man was not only to work, but to work with God’s help. In Genesis 2:19, it says God brought the animals to Adam to name them. Adam did so with God’s help. God never intended for His man to sit around idle; nor was man to work independent of God’s help. Man was given an abundant supply of rich resources. He had the responsibility of seeing the garden was productive.

Ecclesiastes says labor is the gift of God and a man can rejoice in his labor. Nothing changed principally from the old covenant to the new. God expects able-bodied men and women to work. II Thessalonians says if a man does not work, neither should he eat. If a man has the ability to work, but chooses to be lazy, that man has no portion or fruit of his labor to enjoy. Man supplies the effort in work and God gives the fruit of his labor. It is a gift of God. Adam had spirit and could therefore work very closely with God. We too have spirit within. We should expect God to work with us as we willingly work with Him. Philippians 2:13 says it is God which works within us to will and to do of His good pleasure. Since a very large portion of our lives is dedicated to work, it behooves us to understand God’s plan so we can enjoy this aspect of life. Proverbs has a great deal to say about being slothful. God does not want His children to be lazy or slothful.

Terms in our society such as "don’t work too hard" or "I HAVE to go to work" have negative connotations. Habits in the physical realm are often carried over to the spiritual. When we are mindful of Biblical principles, work will be a joy, not a burden. We should have an attitude of thanksgiving regarding work. Having a spiritual mind-set turns the grueling task of work into a joyful labor of thanksgiving.

God’s Word promises He will supply all our needs. Safety and security is in the Lord, not in retirement plans or government programs. We should not be anxious when our labor is done heartily, in the name of the Lord. I Corinthians 15 reminds us our labor is not in vain in the Lord. We are to rest in God, believing and enjoying the spiritual rights and privileges we have in Christ. We can be thankful for a healthy body and ability to work physically as we learn to truly enjoy labor from a Biblical perspective.


#245 Working With God’s Help -- September 2, 2001 ©2001 / Steven A. Michels 44:52 minutes
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"Working With God’s Help"- Rev. Steve Michels Genesis 1:29; 2:8, 15; 1:31; 2:19; Ecclesiastes 3:13; 5:19; II Thessalonians 3:10; Ephesians 4:28; Philippians 2:13; Proverbs 18:9; 21:25; 26; 26:13-15; Luke 16:10-12; Colossians 3:16, 17, 23, 24; Psalm 34:8-10; Matthew 6:31-33; [John 6:27]; Philippians 4:19; [Hebrews 6:10]; I Corinthians 15:57, 58 In Genesis, we see God’s plan for man included the privilege of work. Work, or labor, has a bit of a negative connotation in our culture today. That should not be — especially among the Christian family. In Genesis 1, God gave man all the rich resources of the earth to sustain him physically. However, this was not to be a "free lunch." God required man to do his part, that is to work, laboring in the garden. In Genesis 2:8, to "dress" means to labor. In Genesis 2:15; to "keep" means to steward. Work was part of God’s plan which He declares was "very good." Man was not only to work, but to work with God’s help. In Genesis 2:19, it says God brought the animals to Adam to name them. Adam did so with God’s help. God never intended for His man to sit around idle; nor was man to work independent of God’s help. Man was given an abundant supply of rich resources. He had the responsibility of seeing the garden was productive. Ecclesiastes says labor is the gift of God and a man can rejoice in his labor. Nothing changed principally from the old covenant to the new. God expects able-bodied men and women to work. II Thessalonians says if a man does not work, neither should he eat. If a man has the ability to work, but chooses to be lazy, that man has no portion or fruit of his labor to enjoy. Man supplies the effort in work and God gives the fruit of his labor. It is a gift of God. Adam had spirit and could therefore work very closely with God. We too have spirit within. We should expect God to work with us as we willingly work with Him. Philippians 2:13 says it is God which works within us to will and to do of His good pleasure. Since a very large portion of our lives is dedicated to work, it behooves us to understand God’s plan so we can enjoy this aspect of life. Proverbs has a great deal to say about being slothful. God does not want His children to be lazy or slothful. Terms in our society such as "don’t work too hard" or "I HAVE to go to work" have negative connotations. Habits in the physical realm are often carried over to the spiritual. When we are mindful of Biblical principles, work will be a joy, not a burden. We should have an attitude of thanksgiving regarding work. Having a spiritual mind-set turns the grueling task of work into a joyful labor of thanksgiving. God’s Word promises He will supply all our needs. Safety and security is in the Lord, not in retirement plans or government programs. We should not be anxious when our labor is done heartily, in the name of the Lord. I Corinthians 15 reminds us our labor is not in vain in the Lord. We are to rest in God, believing and enjoying the spiritual rights and privileges we have in Christ. We can be thankful for a healthy body and ability to work physically as we learn to truly enjoy labor from a Biblical perspective.