How Should I Work in Light of the Gospel? Part 3
by Greg Wood
In this third part of a series on working in light of the gospel, we look to find Christ-like ways and motivation for impacting our work and workplace. In one sense, the first post on God’s own work and the second post on humans being made in His image have already provided us with reasons to work in light of the gospel. But in this post, we want to consider some practical ways to connect our occupation to the gospel of Jesus.
I have adapted these six “ways” from motivations given in Chapter Four of the book The Gospel at Work by Sebastian Traeger and Greg Gilbert, and the motivations I provide are my attempt at articulating how these “ways” can be fueled. In their book, Traeger and Gilbert point out that our tendency as fallen human beings is to make work either an idol that we worship or to be idle in our work. To be idle or to be idolatrous is the natural outcome of not working in light of the gospel. But God’s purpose for our work is that we would glorify God by enjoying Him in it. Practically, how can we work in light of the gospel and find our motivations in Christ?
Way #1: Work to Love God
Our work can and should be an act of love toward God. For followers of Jesus, knowing God’s love for us produces in us a love for God.
We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
The love of God, shown chiefly to us in the atoning, reconciling work of Jesus, has now set us free. Our response is that of love. Now there is love in our hearts for God, and we express that in many ways, including our work. We can gain a sense of how one works in light of the gospel from the working relationship between bondservants and their masters:
Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man (Ephesians 6:5–7).
So, the bondservants loved God in their work by doing God’s will from the heart, working with a good will toward their employers, as if they were doing it directly unto the Lord Jesus Himself.
What can motivate us toward working as an act of love for God?
Motivation #1: The joy of making our Father glad
For a follower of Christ who has been reconciled to the Father by the blood of Christ, working out of a spirit of love for God makes the Father glad. It doesn’t earn salvation, but there is relational joy for both us and God. Hence, when Paul is speaking to the Ephesians about being imitators of God, he calls us not to partner with the world, because that would grieve the Holy Spirit of God. Rather, we are to be separated from our old way of life before Christ, and to be holy.
Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. (Ephesians 5:7–11)
In our new identity as God’s children, we learn to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Our work done to the glory of God from a heart of love for God is pleasing to Him.
Way #2: Work to Love Others
Secondly, and closely related, we can work to love others in our work.
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14)
Given that love for neighbor sums up the whole law, certainly love for neighbor should characterize our life and work as we grow in Christ-likeness. With the Holy Spirit now stirring us with new motivations, we strive to love others. That can come through our work by doing good for co-workers, serving, and caring for them. In addition, God will give us opportunities to share the most important truths of Christ’s love and work on our behalf. The gospel shows us where to find living water, the source of the deepest love in the universe.
Motivation #2: The joy of showing others God’s goodness and truth
This motivation to love others is exemplified in the apostles:
Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith. (2 Corinthians 1:24)
And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. (1 John 1:4)
Way #3: Work to Reflect God’s Character
We are being renewed as image bearers, “rulers” in the world under the Lord. While there are many applications of this, working in a way that reflects what God is like might look like:
Lead as God would lead
Bring order out of chaos
Being light and love in darkness
Displaying beauty that points to resurrection
Taking truth into empty places
Exercising godly authority, or relating to those in authority over us
Motivation #3: The joy of showing others the character of God
When co-workers or customers recognize remarkable character in you, you have an opportunity to point out that it is God at work in you. It is His character that we want to be on display for the good of others.
Way #4: Work for money
We are not to love money, but as employees we should be compensated for our time and efforts. We work so we and others can eat, have a roof over our heads, and have clothing. Paul addresses this motivation in 2 Thessalonians 3:10: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” Solomon writes in Proverbs 12:11, “Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.” And Paul writes in Ephesians 4:28, “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”
Motivation #4: To provide for ourselves, our family, and others
We ought not lose sight of God’s purposes for our work. While money is not the sole reason for our work, and it is an easy idol to tempt our hearts to wander, it is another tool to be used for the good of others. We work, earn compensation, and then use that resource the way we use anything else: for the glory of God and the good of people.
Way #5: Work For Enjoyment
We can work for enjoyment – in the work itself and in the rest that it sets up.
You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. (Deuteronomy 8:18)
Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. (Ecclesiastes 5:18–19)
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. (1 Timothy 6:17)
God established a rhythm of work and rest in the fabric of creation. Times of enjoyable rest and recreation are needed just as food, clothing, and shelter.
Motivation #5: The joy of seeing God at work in us and through us
Enjoy times to rest and reflect on God’s work in and through you. Don’t indulge selfishness or laziness; rather, center these times on God and enjoying the good world He has given to us.
Way #6: Work to Adorn the Gospel of Jesus Christ
A job well-done is honoring to the God who works and made us (in part) to work. It would be unhealthy to make work central to our identity. But, as a fruit from a character being shaped into the likeness of Jesus, it is beautiful.
Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. (Titus 2:9–10)
Motivation #6: The joy of showing Christ off
Jesus can take center stage in our work. Without words, we cannot communicate all of the gospel. Yet, we can work in such a way that others become interested in what motivates us. “What makes you different?” On the negative side, our work done poorly can detract from what we say with our mouths.
May the Lord bless our meager endeavors in and through our work, such that we enjoy Him and that His character is known to those around us.