FAITH & CULTURE 18 AUGUST 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition The great Reformer Martin Luther taught that every Christian has four “vocations” (callings) in life: family, church, work and community. Out of those four, the workplace calling might be the most difficult for everyday Christians to figure out. After all, even though a pastor or missionary might easily understand how their workplace is a calling, an everyday worker might find it more challenging. So, the question arises: “How can I, as a Christian, approach my workplace calling in a way that fully honors God?” The purpose of work For starters, it should be noted that Scripture and history reveal that God is a “worker.” In the past, he created the world. In the present, he sustains the world. In the future, he — through his Son — will redeem the world by ridding it of sin and establishing an everlasting reign of justice and peace. The question of how to honor God in the workplace relates to all three truths — God’s past, present and future work. Yet, it should be noted that God does most of his present (sustaining) work through human labor. Consider the fact that, when God feeds people, he does so through farmers and grocers. When he takes care of their transportation needs, he does so through workers in the auto and service industries. When he guides people toward maturity, he does so not only through pastors but through teachers, counselors and other workplace professionals. So, our work matters. It matters both to God and to our neighbors. Unless our workplace activity is illegal or unethical, our work participates as part of the way God provides for the world. That is why Scripture warns against laziness: “if anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). In other words, God and man are in a cooperative partnership. This is part of what the Psalmist means when he says, “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish thou the work of our hands upon us, yea, the work of our hands establish thou it” (Psalms 90:17). In this vein, John Stott writes, “This concept of divine-human collaboration applies to all honorable work. God has so ordered life on earth as to depend on us… So whatever our work, we need to see it as being… cooperation with God… It is this that glorifies him.” Thus, our work carries with it great significance. And if our workplace calling is so significant, another question arises: what type of work should we choose to do? Finding our workplace calling When we survey the world around us, we realize that God created it in such a way that we can choose from a broad variety of work opportunities. Thus, when a Christian faces the question of which career or job to choose, he or she often has a buffet of options. In fact, many people change jobs and even careers several times in life. The important point to note is that God creates each of us uniquely in his image, while we are still in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5; Isaiah 49:1; Psalms 139:13). He provides each of us with personalities, talents and desires. In other words, most people have options when it comes to choosing a job. And, although we might find it challenging to choose the right career or job, God provides help in the form of other people. The people who surround us can help us discern our calling. When we are young, our parents might point out certain aptitudes we have as a way of suggesting a certain line of work. When we are older, our bosses might provide guidance through our job performance reviews. Similarly, our friends and peers might provide leads for job openings that match our skills and interests. So, God works through people to confirm the details of our workplace calling. Fulfilling our workplace calling Once we find ourselves in a given workplace, we realize that we can do the same work either with or without significance. In other words, God’s purposes in giving us jobs extends far beyond the benefits of receiving a paycheck. He calls us to do our work with purpose, to glorify him and help others while working. Thus, a Christian will benefit from asking three questions about his or her given career or job. What is God’s design for this type of job? What are the ways it has been corrupted or misdirected by sin and idolatry? How can I approach my workplace in a way that conforms to God’s design and thus glorifies him, and avoids any sinful temptation that arises in the course of my work? For example, a person in the restaurant business might conclude that God’s design is for her to offer nutritious and tasty food at a reasonable price, and to treat her employees with respect and dignity. Recognizing the sometimescutthroat nature of the restaurant industry, she is careful with scheduling so that workers can have important days and times to be with their families. With sympathy toward the homeless people in her community, she offers leftover dishes to those in need. In so doing, she answers the three questions in a faithfully Christian manner. Working to the glory of God In conclusion, work matters. Work is one of a Christian’s four significant callings. When we do our work to the glory of God and in a way that displays love for our neighbors, God is pleased. Therefore, we can take heart as we work. God’s promise is that right now, where I am, I am in the vocation where God has placed me. He is working in and through my efforts, and I will continue to bear fruit in my life so long as I seek to glorify him in both my work and leisure. Dr. Robert J. Pacienza is the Senior Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (Fort Lauderdale, FL), the CEO and President of Coral Ridge Ministries, and the Founder of the Institute for Faith and Culture. - Dr. Rob Pacienza - Senior Pastor, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church A Christian Perspective on Work
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