What other scriptures emphasize the value of hard work in serving God? Honoring Hard Work in Romans 16:6 “Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you.” (Romans 16:6) Paul’s brief greeting spotlights Mary’s diligent service as something worth celebrating. Scripture consistently repeats this theme, calling every believer to energetic, faithful labor for the Lord. New Testament Voices Calling Believers to Labor • 1 Corinthians 15:58 — “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” • Colossians 3:23-24 — “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” • 1 Thessalonians 1:3 — Paul remembers “your work of faith, your labor of love, and your perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” • Hebrews 6:10-12 — God “will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name… so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” • 2 Timothy 2:15 — “Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.” • 1 Peter 4:10-11 — Serve with God-supplied strength “so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” • Colossians 1:29 — “To this end I labor, striving with all His energy working powerfully within me.” Old Testament Roots of Diligence • Proverbs 14:23 — “There is profit in all hard work, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” • Proverbs 6:6-8 — The ant “prepares its provisions in summer” and models industry for God’s people. • Ecclesiastes 9:10 — “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” • Nehemiah 4:6 — “The people had a mind to work,” rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall despite opposition. Warnings Against Idleness • 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 — “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat… we command and urge such people… to work quietly and eat their own bread.” • Proverbs 18:9 — “Whoever is slothful in his work is a brother to him who destroys.” • Proverbs 13:4 — “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” Why God Values Our Labor • Ephesians 2:10 — “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.” • Matthew 5:16 — Our good works shine before others and glorify the Father. • John 15:8 — Bearing much fruit proves true discipleship. • Galatians 6:9 — “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not give up.” Labor Anchored in Grace • 1 Corinthians 15:10 — “By the grace of God I am what I am… I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” • Philippians 2:12-13 — “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good pleasure.” Mary’s example in Romans 16:6 is part of a sweeping biblical chorus: God saves us to labor faithfully, energizes that labor by His grace, and promises eternal reward for every act done in His name. |
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