Bible verses about work
The longest paragraph any New Testament household code gives to anybody goes to the people with the least standing in the room, and it is about work. These passages are set out with a sentence on each — the ones about rest included.
And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, — Colossians 3:23 · WEB
The longest paragraph in the code goes to the people with the least standing, and it hands them a Master above their master.
I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I can’t come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and come down to you?” — Nehemiah 6:3 · WEB
With the wall closed, the attack shifts from the stones to the man, and the fifth letter arrives unsealed on purpose.
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ — Matthew 25:21 · WEB
Three servants are given capital and two of them trade with it — and the one who buried his had a theory about the owner.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor plan, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going. — Ecclesiastes 9:10 · WEB
The last and warmest commendation opens with acceptance already granted, and the urgency behind it is mortality rather than despair.
Yahweh God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it. — Genesis 2:15 · WEB
The narrative returns to the sixth day at ground level, and the man is made a living soul rather than given one.
For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone is not willing to work, don’t let him eat.” — 2 Thessalonians 3:10 · WEB
The rule is about willingness, not capacity, and the diagnosis attached to it explains why idleness never stays private.
and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you, — 1 Thessalonians 4:11 · WEB
A church expecting the Lord's return is told to be unremarkable, mind its own affairs, and pay its own way.
Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us. Establish the work of our hands for us. Yes, establish the work of our hands. — Psalm 90:17 · WEB
The oldest psalm in the book, written by a man watching a generation die in a desert.
Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed. — Proverbs 16:3 · WEB
The densest cluster about God in the whole collection sits here, and it is about the gap between what a man intends and what happens.
Read the comment on A Man Plans His Way and Yahweh Directs His Steps
Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. — 1 Corinthians 10:31 · WEB
Having forbidden the temple meal, Paul gives strikingly relaxed rules for the market and the dinner party — with one exception, made for someone else's sake.
You shall labor six days, and do all your work, — Exodus 20:9 · WEB
The longest commandment asks for memory rather than innovation, and grounds a weekly rest in the making of the world.
with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men, — Ephesians 6:7 · WEB
Slaves are given five verses of dignity and masters one sentence of warning, and both are told the same thing about who is watching.
In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty. — Proverbs 14:23 · WEB
The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor. — Proverbs 12:24 · WEB
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men. — Proverbs 22:29 · WEB
Read the comment on Thirty Sayings: Do Not Move the Boundary Stone
Therefore I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his works, for that is his portion; for who can bring him to see what will be after him? — Ecclesiastes 3:22 · WEB