Three Things the Bible Teaches Us About Work

What if work wasn’t just a necessary part of life, but a meaningful part of God’s design? The Bible doesn’t waste any time showing us how important work is. Right from the opening sentence of Scripture, we see a God who works. In doing so, He gives us a vision for how we should approach our work, too.

Genesis reveals three foundational truths about work that still shape our lives today: work is divine, work is good, and work is satisfying.

1. Work Is Divine
Genesis opens with a powerful statement: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). That word created is a working verb. Before anything else happens in the biblical narrative, God is already at work.

Many people tend to think of work as a strictly human activity, something tied to survival, ambition, or obligation. But God Himself is the first worker. He chooses to work and models what meaningful work looks like.

Theologians call God’s creative act ex nihilo, meaning out of nothing. God didn't just create everything from nothing. He also created the concept and rhythm of work itself. So work isn’t just something we do. It’s something God does.

This truth gives work deep meaning. When we see our work as part of God’s work in the world, we begin to understand why it matters. We were made in His image, and part of reflecting His image is working.

In Genesis 1:26-28, God says, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion..." This includes responsibility over creation: "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it." These are action words. God is a creator, sustainer, and provider. He calls us to share in that kind of work.

To be made in God’s image means we are meant to work. Our labor should reflect who God is. Whether we’re organizing spreadsheets, teaching students, raising children, or repairing engines, we’re participating in the divine rhythm of building and sustaining what God has made.

Work is not just a job. It's a calling.

2. Work Is Good
In the creation narrative of Genesis 1, one phrase appears repeatedly: "It was good."
●Verse 10: “God saw that it was good.”
●Verse 12: “And God saw that it was good.”
●Verse 18, 21, 25: The same declaration—“It was good.”
●And finally in verse 31: “God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.”

The Hebrew word for “good” here is tov. It means beneficial, pleasant, or bountiful. Over and over, God looks at what He has worked to create and says, “This is good.” That includes the work itself.

This challenges the common mindset in our culture that treats work as something to be endured or escaped. Many of us live for the weekend, dreading Monday and longing for Friday. We assume work is a necessary evil or, at best, a means to an end.

But in God’s design, work came before the fall. It was part of paradise. Adam and Eve were given responsibility in the Garden of Eden before sin entered the picture. They were instructed to care for and cultivate what God had made.

Work wasn’t a punishment. It was a privilege. It was a core part of God’s very good creation.
Understanding this helps reframe our perspective. Work is not just an obstacle to overcome. It's a gift to embrace. It has dignity, value, and purpose because God Himself declared it good.

3. Work Brings Satisfaction
Genesis 2:1-3 gives us a glimpse into how God concluded His creative work:
"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished... And on the seventh day God finished his work... and he rested... So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done."

God didn’t rest because He was tired. He rested because He was satisfied. He stepped back, enjoyed the fruit of His labor, and reflected on the work He had done.

This moment introduces the biblical rhythm of work and rest. Six days of labor, one day of Sabbath. The word Sabbath in Hebrew literally means stop. Like hitting pause, it’s a holy interruption in the rhythm of life. A chance to enjoy, reflect, and be satisfied.

A healthy life involves both work and rest. When we follow God’s design, we experience the deep fulfillment that comes from a job well done. There's a kind of joy that only comes after pouring your energy into something meaningful and then stepping back to take it in.
This isn’t just spiritual theory. It plays out in everyday life.

There’s a simple example in my own home. My wife and I have a running argument over who gets to mow the lawn. And we don’t even have a fancy mower. It’s one of those old push mowers. But we both love the sense of accomplishment. After sweating through the yardwork, sitting down with a cold drink, and looking out over a freshly mowed lawn, there's a quiet satisfaction.

That kind of fulfillment is available in all kinds of work. Whether we’re building something, caring for others, solving problems, or creating beauty, there's joy in completing a task and seeing the result.

Of course, we must be careful. Work can become an idol. It can take over our priorities, become a source of identity, or cause us to neglect relationships and rest. But when kept in balance, work is a source of satisfaction, not just survival.

In fact, we need to work. Where there is prolonged unemployment or a lack of purpose, communities often begin to break down. High unemployment is frequently linked with high crime. Why? Because people were made to contribute. We were created to take part in shaping the world around us.

The Purpose and Rhythm of Work
Genesis gives us a profound theology of work:
●Work is divine. God works, and we are made in His image to join Him.
●Work is good. It is a gift, not a punishment.
●Work brings satisfaction. When paired with rest, it produces joy and fulfillment.

So whether your job feels mundane or monumental, remember: your work matters to God. Every act of faithfulness, creativity, and stewardship is part of a larger story. When we see our work through the lens of God’s design, we find renewed purpose. And maybe even joy, in the labor of our hands.

Let’s embrace the work God has given us, rest well, and reflect His image in all we do.



This blog is based on the message shared by Campus Pastor Ben Hays at our CityRise West U Baptist campus on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. Check out the full message below!