The good news is that we, as believers in Jesus Christ, have been set free from the curse of sin and our attitude toward work and toward our jobs can be redeemed from that curse. Here’s how:

We must work at the job God has given us and carry the Kingdom of God to our jobs every day.

Let’s look at the first part: Work at the job God has given us:

Work is assigned by God.

In Genesis 1 and 2 we see the first work assignment given by God to Adam. Genesis 2:15 tells us "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." Work had a central place, even in paradise. It was intended as a gift and a blessing before sin and punishment entered the picture.

And keep this in mind: Adam's job was not secular; it was a sacred trust from God, and it was meant to bring purpose and fulfillment to Adam. The same is true today. The nature of the work we do does not determine if it is sacred or not. It does not depend upon who signs our paycheck. Work is sacred when it is assigned by God.

Now, I ask you to think of your own work situation, whether you're in the work force or working without a paycheck! Has your work been assigned to you by God? Are you confident that you are in the job God wants you to be in? God doesn't ask us what we want to do. He assigns us work.

Ephesians 2:10 tells us: "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

In our humanistic society we have some convoluted ideas about our rights. It is quite common for people to assume that they have a right to pursue whatever makes them happy, whatever interests them, whatever brings fulfillment into their lives, and if they think about God at all, they see him in heaven to enhance and accelerate their progress. It may come as a surprise to hear that God is not here to make you feel fulfilled in the career or work that you choose. As a believer, you are here to do the good work that he has prepared for you to do.

So, when you go to God for your work assignment, you should not ask for the easy place, the nice place, the well-paying place. Rather you should ask for the job that he has chosen in advance for you to do; the place where he plans to use you in his Kingdom work.

Now, keep in mind that God may have you in a job in order to do his work. The job itself may simply be the vehicle he has chosen to put you in the place to do the good works he has planned for you to do. The actual job duties may not always be the meaningful part of your work—frequently they are not. Instead, that job opens a door for you to be a part of a world where God wants to use you.

God is the Universal Business Owner and Manager

The authority lines are also clearly drawn in this working relationship with God. He's the boss and as his worker, you are to be submissive to his authority. He is a benevolent dictator; it's not a democracy. Democracies, in case you haven't noticed, don't work all that well. But in a working relationship with God, you don't have to worry about your authority figure. He is the perfect manager and can be totally trusted. Everything he does is for your good.

You are a coworker with God.

As originally intended by God, you are to be engaged in your work as a partner with him. Look again at the first work assignment as given to Adam; God never left him alone. God was always there with him. It was a partnership.

God intended for us to be coworkers with him. He is a "hands-on" manager; he never leaves you or forsakes you. What a deal! He assigns you the work, works beside you all the way, and carries you through to completion. What more could you ask for in a working relationship with your Boss?

Now, let’s look at the second part: We are to work at the job God has given us and carry the Kingdom of God to our jobs every day.

We pray: "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.