Jeff Woodward

I saw a quote from a pastor on Facebook the other day that really resonated with me. It said: "A Godly work ethic begins with remembering that your work is not just a task, it's an offering" (Costi Hinn). I feel like a theology of hard work has been lost on our generation and younger. It's not necessarily that we are lazy, but I don't think we've been taught a good theology about why work is good, valuable and how it brings glory to God. I did some studying this morning and found some key scriptures about work I wanted to share. 1. Work is God’s good design. It wasn’t a result of the Fall — it was part of God’s original plan for us. 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.” 2. Diligence and hard work brings results. Proverbs 10:4– “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” Proverbs 14:23 – “All hard work brings a profit…” 3. Laziness has consequences. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 – “If anyone is unwilling to work, let him not eat.”Proverbs 6:6 – “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” 4. Work like we're working for the Lord Himself. This one can shift everything and that's really been on my mind lately. No matter what our job is, we're ultimately serving Christ. We don't need to be on a platform to be living a life that is pleasing to God. Colossians 3:23-24 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters…” 5. Do everything for God’s glory. 1 Corinthians 10:31 – “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (And Proverbs 16:3 reminds us to commit our work to Him.) 6 & 7. Find joy, rest, and reward. Psalm 90:17 – “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us…” God calls us to enjoy the toil He gives as a gift, honor the Sabbath, and remember that our labor in the Lord is never in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). (Side note: I don't believe the Sabbath is still enforced on New Testament believers, but I do believe in following the principle of rest Scripture ascribes)

New comment Apr 27

Jeff Woodward

1 like • Apr 25

This is such a timely and biblically rich post—thank you for sharing it and for doing the work of digging into Scripture on this. Costi Hinn nailed it: when we remember our labor is an offering, everything shifts from drudgery to worship. You're right that our generation (and the ones coming up) haven’t been discipled into a robust theology of work. We’ve inherited a culture that treats jobs as either soul-crushing necessities or vehicles for personal fulfillment, but rarely as acts of obedience and delight in the Creator who worked first. Genesis 2:15 shows us work was pre-Fall—part of the “very good” design. That alone reframes Mondays. What strikes me most in your list is Colossians 3:23-24. Working “as for the Lord” isn’t just a motivational slogan for the hard days; it’s the daily liturgy of the ordinary Christian. Whether we’re at a desk, behind a wheel, in a classroom, or changing diapers, every faithful effort is seen by the One who called us. It echoes what we’ve been exploring in our community—that true legacy isn’t built on platforms or viral moments, but on the quiet, consistent offering of our hands to Christ. The same God who receives our worship on Sunday receives the excellence (or sloppiness) of our work on Tuesday. I love that you included the joy and rest angle too. Psalm 90:17 has become a prayer I return to often: “Establish the work of our hands for us.” God doesn’t just command diligence—He crowns it with favor and invites us into Sabbath rhythm as a gift, not a burden. This kind of teaching is fuel for the quiet revival we’re seeing among younger believers right now. They’re hungry for a faith that dignifies every sphere of life, not just the “spiritual” ones. May the Lord use these truths to raise up a generation whose hands are diligent, whose hearts are humble, and whose labor truly glorifies the King.

Josh Shelton

Aug '25 •

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New comment 2d ago

Jeff Woodward

0 likes • Apr 10

Is it acceptable to post a link?

Jeff Woodward

1 like • Apr 10

@Josh Shelton I just PM’ed you the link.

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