The concept of work was originally designed by the Creator to bring fulfillment, purpose, joy and partnership. Yet, we find ourselves entangled in the web of hustle culture, a far cry from God's original intent. As one who has been part of the workforce for over a decade and a half, I’ve been on my own whirlwind journey of resentment, disdain, passion, and excitement for work too.
God’s original design for work
To explore this, we have to look at the very beginning - the origin of work, before the Fall. Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. The Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there he placed the man whom he had formed. Out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. . . . Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it (Gen 2:7-9; 15)
If we break this scripture down, we can observe three things from God’s mentality towards work:
1. God took great care and intention in creating Adam. He put in some hard work, too! 2. God took joy in preparing the things for him to do. It’s almost as if he was excited about it. 3. God created and fashioned Adam to care for and protect His creation. Adam was already equipped (or qualified) for the job.
God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen 1:27-28)
“Work is meant to be done in community or partnership”
So God not only gave Adam and Eve dominion or authority, but he also intended for them to multiply and subdue the Earth. This shows that not only did God intend for work to be done in partnership with one another, but also to pass on that culture to those who follow them. We also notice that dominion was given to both Adam and Eve together (I can hear my feminists cheering right now). Therefore, work is meant to be done in community or partnership. To solidify this argument, we look at another verse: (Gen 2:19-20) where God brought all of living creation to Adam, with the intent of finding him companionship or a helper, but none suitable was found. God could have named the animals himself, after all, he is the Creator, but he wanted Adam to partner with him in the process, possibly so he’d take ownership and feel included! From just these 3 passages, we see a few truths:
1. Work is meant to be done in partnership 2. Work is designed to bring joy
3. Work is one way of connecting with God 4. God has already equipped us for the work he intends for us to do
5. God takes joy, pride, and effort in creating the work for us.
In summary: Could work be fashioned as God’s love language toward us? Maybe even a gift?
This is summed up beautifully by this scripture:
Man's Distortion of Work
Fast forward to hustle culture in today’s world, a term that most of the population is, unfortunately, way too familiar with.
‘Hustle culture is defined as a relentless pursuit of success and achievement, often at the cost of well-being marked by the glorification of overworking. It stems from the misconception that busyness equates to productivity.’ (Source: India Times)
“The need to prove our worth at work in order to receive accolades or financial incentives can lead to people pleasing and over-working rather than striking the God-ordered balance that we’re designed to have.”
As a consequence of the Fall of Adam and Eve, we are subjected to hard, painful work. God, in response to Adam's disobedience, declared a curse on the ground, introducing thorns and thistles - a metaphorical parallel to the challenges and stress that accompany the hustle culture (Gen 3:17-19). We are also subjected to the greed and gluttonous nature of mankind - one that intends to receive as much as it can without earning or working for it. However, not all distortion of work is placed on us by others, we are guilty too. Comparison of riches, and perceived success that is rooted in envy can push us to work harder to measure up to our peers. Placing unrealistic expectations on ourselves to be perfect in every area of our lives can lead to working through our own strength, rather than our God given one. Finally, the need to prove our worth at work in order to receive accolades or financial incentives can lead to people pleasing and over-working rather than striking the God-ordered balance that we’re designed to have. So how has man’s sinful nature distorted work? 1. Pursuing success through overworking. Rooted in greed and lies
2. Squeezing work out of obliged employees. Rooted in greed, gluttony, and selfish ambition
3. Comparison that leads to overworking. Rooted in envy.
4. Chasing perfection in all areas. Rooted in self-worship
5. Gunning for accolades or financial gain. Rooted in people-pleasing
While this may seem dire, it is important to remember that while the concept of work may be corrupted, it actually originated in good, and we can and should be the ones to redeem it. Romans 8:20-21 says, “The creation was subjected to frustration...in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” Through us, God is after the renewal of creation.
Striking a Balance
So now that we know the truth, what do we do? We certainly cannot throw work out the window - the Bible condemns laziness on several accounts. We cannot control our bosses, we are commanded to respect and honor the authority placed over us. So where do we stand? 3 Truths to Remember
1. Rest is part of God’s mandate
It goes without saying that God knew from the beginning that this would happen. It did not take Him by surprise that we would be subject to this literal torture. So, therefore, we must look at God’s example of taking rest. The Sabbath was designed not because God was too tired from creating (because he never sleeps nor slumbers), but to set an example for rest and relaxation too. In fact, I’d argue that God knew that in order to fully enjoy the fruit of his labor, rest was mandatory. Apart from the Sabbath, there are several occasions where this is mentioned. (See Ps 127:2, Prov 23:4-5, Ecc 5:12-14)
We see clearly from this that God honors rest after hard work has been fulfilled and that rest is a result or gift to be enjoyed as God’s payment in a sense for working hard. 2. Work is for God’s glorification.
Everything we do must glorify God. Even more so, the things that we do in witness of those who do not know Him. The work that we have is given to us by Him and for Him. If you’re not convinced, just ask anyone who’s been on the job hunt for longer than they planned.
3. God is not separate from work
As Christians, we can easily fall into the trap of believing that ministry is God’s work and our jobs are secular. Paul, the Apostle was a tentmaker. David was a Shepherd and a King, and as you look through the Bible, many of the greats had jobs that they were called to do. God is in all of it as we have already established because he designed, fashioned and planned it for you before you were even born. God is as much a part of your work as he is your ministry or your home life, as long as you let him.
I hope that you find some solace, encouragement, or even liberation from finding out God’s real design for work as you labor and hustle in order to get by. I know all too well from my own experience how hard it can be with toxic work environments. Remember: You are a light that has been placed in the darkness, don’t forget to shine wherever you are.
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