Did you know that you’ll spend approximately one-third of your life at work?

It’s estimated that the average person will work 90,000 hours over the course of their lifetime. While you probably won’t spend all 90,000 of those hours at one job, there’s no denying that work will play a significant role in your life.

For most of us, there will be good jobs and bad jobs. There will be friendships with coworkers and awkward office parties. There will be boring meetings and exciting accomplishments. There will be layoffs and raises and holiday bonuses.

But does work really matter beyond the paycheck?

The Bible contains a treasure trove of wisdom when it comes to our work. There are references to the sacred work of raising children and the example of the industrious woman in Proverbs 31. There are also stern warnings against laziness, dishonesty, and avoiding work. Christians are called to be faithful workers in God’s sight and keep busy serving the Lord in all circumstances. Our workplaces, like the rest of our lives, are areas in which we should be a witness of Christ to the world and share the truth of God’s Word with those around us.

Perhaps one of the clearest and best-known verses that communicates God’s view of work is found in 1 Corinthians 10:31 (GNT): “Whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it all for God’s glory.”

Even in the most mundane moments of our work, we have an opportunity to glorify God. Scripture encourages us to ask God to help us work diligently. We can trust that God will provide the strength and wisdom to complete every task he calls us to do.

Here are six Bible verses to encourage you in your work today.

From the beginning of creation, God gave humans work to do.

Then the LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and guard it.

Genesis 2:15 GNT

God intends for us to work and earn our living.

Work and you will earn a living; if you sit around talking you will be poor.

Proverbs 14:23 GNT

The Bible calls us to honor God in everything we do—including our work.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people.

Colossians 3:23 GNT

God promises to bless our plans when we look to him for success.

Ask the LORD to bless your plans, and you will be successful in carrying them out.

Proverbs 16:3 GNT

Faithful work equips us to give to those in need.

“I have shown you in all things that by working hard in this way we must help the weak, remembering the words that the Lord Jesus himself said, ‘There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.’”

Acts 20:35 GNT

The Bible encourages us to ask God for his blessing in everything we do.

Lord our God, may your blessings be with us.
Give us success in all we do!

Psalm 90:17 GNT