A Theology of Work

In his book Christian Mission in the Modern World, John Stott makes the point that Jesus calls all his followers to ministry. And ministry is service. He says, "if we are Christians we must spend our lives in the service of God and man." But this service takes many different forms. You can serve God and man by being a lawyer, a teacher, a mechanic, a film maker, a farmer, a statesman, an accountant, a vet, a home maker—the list is endless. In all of these vocations we are called to serve God and our fellow man.

He goes on to point out that being a businessman or tradesmen is not just a way to earn money to fund the church. It's not just an chance to witness to co-workers. It is in itself an act of worship and service. You are fulfilling God's mandate to subdue the earth and manage his creation. And when you work with integrity and skill and creativity you are glorifying God.

My friend Justin Taylor has written a two-part article on a rudimentary theology of work and vocation for the New Attitude site. In the article he writes,

In my view, we are due for another reformation with regard to our view of work. Although it's much more subtle, many of us can still perpetuate a sub-biblical view of work. I remember once hearing a student leader suggest that the norm was for Christians to consider themselves called to vocational ministry—and that a calling to a so-called "secular" vocation was the exception. In other words, the default for Christians should be to go into vocational ministry unless they feel compelled to do something else. But I don't find that idea taught anywhere in Scripture. The result is that we sometimes have people in vocational ministry, not because it is where they have been called by their church, or equipped by God, but simply because they never prepared to do anything else.

We need to recover the reformational understanding of vocation: all of lifeᾹin every sphere and in every calling—should be lived to the glory of God and in obedience to his Word. Abraham Kuyper wrote, "there is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, 'Mine!'" If that's true (and it is!), isn't it worth our time and effort to think through how to glorify God in the area of work to which he has called you?

I encourage you to read Justin's article. Here is part 1 and part 2.