When you hear the phrase “strong work ethic”, do you automatically envision the person who goes above and beyond, is always at their desk, comes in early, stays late, and it appears that work is their entire life? What is really expected of someone in terms of worth ethic? The Bible speaks of our work from the Old to the New Testament. Proverbs 14:23 says, “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” Clearly God does not want us to be lazy, and to work hard at what is in front of us.
This is echoed later in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Your work ethic, then, is also a reflection of your relationship and commitment to God. And your work ethic will play a larger role in your overall success. Forbes magazine advises that employers consider the strength of work ethic over education and experience. The desire for someone to work hard and be focused and dedicated to their job outweighs other qualities in hiring and advancement.[1] Consider how you may grow in these three work ethic factors:
Take it seriously. If you are truly working for God, and not for men, then the tone and tenor you have at work should be serious. Be on time, and be focused when you are at work. Act and dress professionally for your particular vocation. Remember that work is a part of God’s creation that pre-dates sin. Before we were flawed as people, God gave us work. Genesis 2:15 says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”
There is no indication in Scripture that we were meant to be lazy or subsist off the effort of others. In fact, Provers 13:4 tells us, “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” In other words, work well and you eat, fail to work and you will not. In 1 Timothy, the Apostle Paul is more blunt, writing, “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8). Taking work seriously in providing for your family, then, is an indication of your personal faith.
Take it up a notch. Not only should you work diligently, but you should have a mindset of continual improvement. Be willing to take initiative and act independently where possible. Distinguish yourself through good productivity and by looking for ways to improve both personally and for the organization. Work is not just for God, but to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 instructs, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” The effort you make at work reflects on God’s good Name.
In the news you may have read articles on “quiet quitting”, and other mindsets by workers to do the minimum amount possible to continue their jobs. This thinking disconnects the worker from personal responsibility to their organization—it is, after all, just a paycheck. But it also disconnects the worker from God’s glory. The Father did not command us to work simply to fill up our day. Work, from the very beginning, is a part of God’s master plan for creation, and we are blessed to find ourselves as a part of that grand design.
Take it in perspective. Finally, you should view work in the context of your life, family and greater mission. Work is not simply a means to provide. Rather, work in itself is an opportunity for personal ministry. This is the heart of what Colossians 3:23 is saying. If you are working for God and not for men, then it is God’s spiritual mission for your life that takes priority in all facets of the day, including work. Because you are a spiritual being, you should view work in that context, and look for ways to exercise your faith well at the office, around coworkers, and with your higher-ups.
Your work ethic is really the overall attitude about your job, and affects your dedication and determination related to work. Scripture instructs us to place a high value on anything we engage in. Thus a healthy work ethic is a balance that takes into account all of one’s life responsibilities—family, friendships, faith, and work.
[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/04/14/its-not-just-about-experience-why-employers-should-prioritize-a-strong-work-ethic-when-hiring/
Colin White