Did you know we were created and designed to work?

We see this in the creation story in Genesis 1-2. God gives Adam a purpose from the very beginning.

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.

Genesis 1:28-30

As we continue through the creation story, we also see in Genesis 2:15

The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

Adam (and Eve) were instructed by God to tend to the garden. Food would not magically grow. God created the Earth in such a way, that man would be able to take care of a garden and it would multiply.

Whether you have a career, a job, a full-time ministry, own your own business, or care for another person, in Colossians 3:23-24, Paul offers wise guidance. I believe this guidance aligns with God’s Divine Design of humankind. Everything we do should be done as if it’s being done for God.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Colossians 3:23-24

Notice that in these verses Paul isn’t denying that we are working for people because in every vocation we are, in some way, serving people. What Paul is doing is sharing where our heart’s intention should be. He’s setting a standard; encouraging us to make a shift in mindset. No matter what kind of work we do, we should do it as if it were for God. When we do this we will be rewarded with an inheritance because we serve Jesus.

At times we can resent our places of employment or role as caregivers because we have decided that it’s “secular.” However, along with Paul, I encourage you to change your mindset about your work. It’s not less spiritual than full-time ministry. Your place of employment, business, or caregiving isn’t secular. Everywhere you are and everything you do has an impact on the spiritual world. To perceive this truth, you will need to change how you view what you do. It is for God.

Would you change anything you do within your work or caregiving if you began doing it as if it was for God? If so, what would that be?