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God also works
In this final look at the Intrinsic Value of our work, we need to look no further than God Himself. He set the example for us to see the value of the work He has given us to do in this world. We see in the very first verse of the Bible that God worked. In the beginning, He created the heavens and the earth. God worked, and the Scriptures tell us He works tirelessly.
John tells us that Jesus also works. He stated that the Father is always at work and Jesus is working too. Jesus tells the disciples that He is doing the work that the Father gave Him to do. Paul tells us that all things were created in Christ, through Him, and for Him. God is a worker, Jesus is a worker, and we are given the privilege of being workers as well.
We do our work in the world through our jobs, exercising dominion over the created order. Business, engineering, teaching, as well as whatever your job may be, are the work of God in the world, just as being a pastor is the work of God in the church, and being a missionary is the work of God on the mission field. Legitimate work in the world has intrinsic value and God calls men and women to be faithful working in the world just as He calls them to be faithful in the church and on the mission field as their service to God.
Our work brings meaning to our everyday existence and it brings value to God’s created order. It is the place where we, workers made in the image of God, can reflect God. He is continually engaged in the activities of fashioning and sustaining His creation. God has called us to engage with passion, integrity, creativity, and innovation while partnering with Him through our work. This is the place of our “ministry.” This is the place of our service to Him. We serve Christ in this world through our work.
In God’s grace, we have purpose through our work, and as God’s children we work because God works. What a privilege it is to partner with Him in the purpose of His Kingdom!
For more on this important topic of A Gracious Perspective on Work, please visit gsot.edu/center
About this Plan
The Scriptures give a number of reasons for people to work—all of them profound in their own way—because what we do for a living matters to God. Work has value in and of itself, it is intrinsically a good thing, and when work is done with excellence, it reflects God. The Bible tells us that our work accomplishes God’s work and purpose in the Kingdom through His grace.
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