“Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:12
Work matters! It really does, even if it doesn’t feel like it sometimes. For Christians, God commands and dignifies every kind of honest, ethical, and moral work in the economic marketplace. In Christ, daily employment shouldn’t be locked away in a separate compartment of life from faith and making disciples. Rather, every job is an opportunity to quietly, yet publicly, live out your faith and make disciples of Jesus Christ.
Paul is clear: Christians should work hard, even as we live in anticipation of Christ’s return. Christians should always work faithfully and well as if we are working for the Lord. Work certainly shouldn’t dominate our lives or our thoughts. However, it also shouldn’t be thought of as a necessary evil or something to be avoided. So-called secular employment is every bit a part of your ongoing ministry to this fallen world.
So work hard and work well. If you find yourself between jobs, work diligently to find a new job. If your job is forcing you to compromise your faith or integrity, find a new job. In the meantime, give thanks to God for employment for it’s both His means of provision and an opportunity to come in contact with many who need to know the love of Jesus.