Liba Hopeson
According to Hitler, a lie repeated frequently enough will eventually be accepted as truth by the masses. The notion that “work is worship” has been widely propagated and popularized over time, leading many to accept it as truth. However, in reality, this belief does not hold true. Work is not worship. The idea is deeply rooted in Hindu philosophy. The English word “worship” comes from the Old English “weordscipe” (pronounced worth-ship), which means “worthiness” or “the condition of being worthy.” Worship, both in biblical languages and practice, involves prostration, submission, and giving honor to the one who is worthy. So, in Christian theology, worship is the reverent devotion and adoration of God, acknowledging His supreme worth and holiness. So, work, in itself, is not an act of worship, for it is neither the object of our adoration nor worthy of our reverence.
While working, some may mistreat others by mocking, offending, or humiliating them with their words, causing harm and discord. If our work in any way displeases God, it cannot be considered an act of worship. True worship honors Him completely, and anything that dishonors Him falls short of that standard. Only God is worthy of our worship, and nothing that diminishes His glory can rightly be called worship. Many hardworking individuals take pride in their endless toil, believing that work itself is an act of worship. Yet, in their devotion to labor, work subtly takes the place of God, becoming an idol in their hearts. Work should never be idolized; rather, we must glorify God through our labor.
Work is part of God’s divine design. Contrary to the belief of many Christians, work was never a consequence of sin or a curse. Rather, it is a sacred gift from God. In the beginning, there was work. God worked for six days. God is holy and perfect. He remained active in His work even after bringing the universe into existence. Jesus said in John 5:17, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” If God Himself worked, work cannot be bad. The concept and commandment of work were established even before the Fall (Genesis 1:28; 2:15). Being created in the image of God, we are called to work. However, sin brought corruption – not only to us but also to the earth and our labor. Yet, Jesus Christ came not only to redeem us but to restore the entire universe, including the very work of our hands.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). We are His masterpiece, recreated in Christ Jesus for good works. This is redemption in the light of work. Jesus came not only to save us and take us to heaven but to restore us to our true purpose – walking faithfully in the good works that God prepared for us since the beginning of time. Because we hold to the doctrine that salvation comes by faith alone and not by works, the theology of work is often overlooked in our churches. Yet, it is vital to understand that we have been recreated for good works. For what ultimate purpose? To glorify God. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
How should we work then? Whatever we do, we should do to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). Air is essential for our survival, yet we do not live merely to breathe. In the same way, we need food to sustain us, but we do not work chiefly for food, though providing for our needs is part of labor. Our ultimate purpose in work is to honor and glorify God in all that we do. However, meaning of life is not found in work; rather, we live a meaningful life by working for the glory of God. Spirituality is not confined to church activities such as prayer, fasting, preaching, or teaching. Rather, everything we do – wherever we are – becomes spiritual when our hearts are fully devoted to God and dedicated to His glory and Kingdom. True spirituality is holistic, encompassing every aspect of life in service to Him. Therefore, we should not create a false divide between the secular and the sacred. The true opposite of sacred is not secular – it is profanity.
It is a misconception to believe that only missionaries, evangelists, pastors, preachers, and teachers are full-time Christian workers, while others are not. All are full-time Christians and full-time workers of Christ. It is simply that we are placed differently. By embracing this correct theology, we can avoid the trap and illusion that certain compromises at work can be justified simply by giving money to the church, contributing to church construction, helping the poor, or donating to charity. All that we posses – our gifts, talents, and abilities – comes from God (Psalm 24:1). We are not owners but stewards, entrusted with His blessings (Gen.1:28). Therefore, we should live with humility, always giving credit where it is due. John the Baptist said, “He must increase, I must decrease (John 3:30).” Do not seek to be the sun; instead, be the moon. The moon does not shine by its own power but reflects the light of the sun. In the same way, we are called to reflect the light of Christ rather than seeking our own glory. Jesus warned us against performing deeds for the sake of appreciation, fame, or recognition. Instead, let our life and actions serve as a reflection of God’s presence within you. This brings to mind the purpose of image – to reflect. Just as a mirror captures and displays our likeness, we, as bearers of God’s image, must reflect His character in our lives and deeds. Let his light shine through you, so that others may seem Him in all you do (Matthew 5:16).
When God works, humanity reaps the benefits. His desire is for us to be fruitful. A fruitful tree does not consume its own produce; rather, its fruits nourish birds, animals, and people alike. Likewise, when we labor, we are not meant to be selfish or consumed by greed. Instead, we are called to be a blessing, generously sharing the gifts God has entrusted to us. Loving our neighbor as ourselves is the second greatest commandment given by Jesus Christ. Just as we desire to be clothed and fed, we are called to share our resources with those in need. Success should not be mistaken for fruitfulness; many achieve success but remain unfruitful. A tree is not identified by its leaves but by the fruit it bears.
Since we are created for good works, idleness is not just unproductive – it is a failure to live out our purpose. Instead of succumbing to laziness, as followers of Jesus Christ – the source of all goodness – we should be eager to engage in any form of work. Our society makes a grave mistake by glorifying white-collar jobs while looking down on agriculture and other essential labor. The common saying that diligent students become officers while those who struggle in school end up as farmers is misleading. Every kind of work has value, and we must uphold, respect, and promote the dignity of labor in all its forms.
When we work, we must do so with all our hearts, as unto the Lord rather than for men (Colossians 3:23). The unwavering awareness that we are serving the Lord motivates us to work diligently, free from murmuring or complaint. It strengthens our resolve to persevere, even when our efforts go unnoticed, unappreciated, or unacknowledged by those around us. Our labor should not be driven primarily by family obligations, survival, fame or reputation, but by a desire to honor and glorify God. While work itself is not worship, we should worship Him through our work. In all that we do, let it be for His glory.
