Family and Work
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Family

The concept of family is foundational in the Bible, serving as the primary unit of society and a central theme throughout Scripture. The family is instituted by God in the creation narrative, where He establishes the first family with Adam and Eve. Genesis 1:27-28 states, "So 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 said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it.'"

The family is depicted as a covenantal relationship, reflecting God's covenant with His people. Marriage, as the union of a man and a woman, is designed to be a lifelong commitment. In Ephesians 5:31-32 , Paul writes, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church."

Children are considered a blessing from the Lord, and parents are entrusted with the responsibility of raising them in the knowledge and fear of God. Psalm 127:3 declares, "Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward." Proverbs 22:6 instructs, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

The Bible emphasizes the importance of honoring and obeying parents, as seen in the Ten Commandments: "Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you" (Exodus 20:12). This command is reiterated in the New Testament in Ephesians 6:1-3 , "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' (which is the first commandment with a promise), 'that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.'"

Work

Work is portrayed in the Bible as a divine calling and an integral part of human existence. From the beginning, God assigns work to humanity. Genesis 2:15 states, "The LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it." Work is not a result of the Fall but is part of God's original design for mankind.

The Bible teaches that work should be done diligently and with integrity, as it is ultimately service to the Lord. Colossians 3:23-24 instructs, "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."

The Proverbs provide wisdom on the value of hard work and the dangers of laziness. Proverbs 12:11 states, "He who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment." Similarly, Proverbs 6:6-11 warns against slothfulness, urging, "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways and be wise... How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?"

The New Testament also addresses the relationship between employers and employees, emphasizing fairness and mutual respect. Ephesians 6:5-9 advises, "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ... And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him."

In summary, the Bible presents both family and work as divinely ordained institutions, each with its own responsibilities and blessings. They are integral to living a life that honors God and fulfills His purposes for humanity.
Topical Bible Verses
Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.
Topicalbible.org

Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore whoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, which built his house on a rock:
Topicalbible.org

1 Timothy 5:8
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
Topicalbible.org

Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Topicalbible.org

Greek
3011. leitourgos -- a public servant, a minister, a servant
... 3011 (a masculine noun derived from , "belonging to the people" and 2041 , "work") --
properly, an official servant (minister) who ... The word-family consists of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3011.htm - 8k
Library

The Work Awaiting the Worker
... his own family, and there are some indications that he carried on evangelistic
operations in his native province of Cilicia: but, if he did so, his work may be ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter v the work awaiting.htm

On Family Religion
... taking the name of God in vain; from doing any needless work, or taking ... though
frequently repeated, you must, in anywise, dismiss from your family, though it ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 94 on family religion.htm

The Revelation to which the Scripture of the Old Testament Owes ...
... righteous.". After these operations in individuals the Spirit's work in the
family begins, partly in Noah, more especially in Abraham. The ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xiv the revelation to which.htm

The Solidarity of the Human Family
... Political unity was at first an expansion of family unity. ... Where can you trace
the principle of solidarity actually at work in industrial life? ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter ii the solidarity of.htm

Among the Leaders of this Didactic School May be Mentioned a Whole ...
... Among the leaders of this didactic school may be mentioned a whole family of the
name ... It was under Von Birken that a work was published in 1673, which with his ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/among the leaders of this.htm

1877-1879. "They Helped Every one his Neighbour" --Miss Child, a ...
... "We need much prayer for this branch of the work, that it may be the natural outcome
of family life, and grow gradually as our heavenly Father leads. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter vii 1877-1879 they helped.htm

1869-1870. Emigration of Families --A visitor's Impressions --The ...
... "Alfred was 'fixed up' (to use a Canadian term) with two others of our children
in a family settlement. One was a grown-up lad, employed in farm work, and the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter ii 1869-1870 emigration of.htm

Christian Work.
... and said, if the Lord wants me to work without any fruit I will work on ... hundred years
and he never saw a prayer-meeting outside of his own family." Pretty soon ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/christian work.htm

Paul's Work at Corinth
... THE NEW TESTAMENT PAUL'S WORK AT CORINTH. ... Crispus, the president of the synagogue,
and all his family, believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians when ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/pauls work at corinth.htm

Preface.
... The following work is an humble contribution to this important cause. It is intended
to excite interest in the religious elements of family life, and to show ...
//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/preface.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about family problems? | GotQuestions.org

What should be the order of priorities in our family? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about Family & Parenting (All) | GotQuestions.org

Family: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Family

Family and Friends

Family and Work

Family Conflict

Family Inheritance

Family Leader

Family Love

Family of Saints: Be Duly Regulated

Family of Saints: Blessed

Family of Saints: Deceivers and Liars should be Removed From

Family of Saints: Live in Mutual Forbearance

Family of Saints: Live in Unity

Family of Saints: Punishment of Irreligious

Family of Saints: Rejoice Together Before God

Family of Saints: should be Taught God's Word

Family of Saints: Warned Against Departing from God

Family of Saints: Worship God Together

Family Planning

Family Rejection

Family Relationship

Family Relationships

Family Unity

Family: Good: Abraham

Family: Good: Cornelius

Family: Good: Crispus

Family: Good: David

Family: Good: Jacob

Family: Good: Jailor of Philippi

Family: Good: Job

Family: Good: Joshua

Family: Good: Lazarus of Bethany

Family: Good: Lois

Family: Good: Lydia

Family: Government of

Family: Infelicity In

Family: Infelicity in Ahasuerus, on Account of Vashti's Refusing to Appear Before his Drunken Courtiers

Family: Infelicity in David and Michal

Family: Infelicity in Elkanah, on Account of Bigamic Feuds

Family: Infelicity in Moses and Zipporah

Family: Infelicity In of Abraham, on Account of Hagar

Family: Infelicity In of Isaac, on Account of the Disagreement Between Jacob and Esau

Family: Infelicity In of Jacob, the Bigamic Jealousy Between Leah and Rachel

Family: Instituted

Family: Persian, Domestic Customs

Family: Religion of The

Related Terms

Family's (1 Occurrence)

Zerahites (5 Occurrences)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Kohathites (18 Occurrences)

Kohath (30 Occurrences)

Mushite (2 Occurrences)

Mahlite (2 Occurrences)

Mushites (2 Occurrences)

Mahlites (2 Occurrences)

Priesthood (30 Occurrences)

Perez (19 Occurrences)

Beriah (10 Occurrences)

Bela (14 Occurrences)

Merari (38 Occurrences)

Belonged (105 Occurrences)

Begot (119 Occurrences)

Begat (112 Occurrences)

Zarhite (4 Occurrences)

Zarhites (4 Occurrences)

Zerahite (4 Occurrences)

Zer'ahites (2 Occurrences)

Korahite (3 Occurrences)

Korathites (1 Occurrence)

Korathite (1 Occurrence)

Ko'rahites (6 Occurrences)

Merar'i (32 Occurrences)

Merarite (8 Occurrences)

Beri'ah (10 Occurrences)

Brushed (2 Occurrences)

Amram (14 Occurrences)

Sparrow (4 Occurrences)

Children

Birthright (10 Occurrences)

Shemaiah (40 Occurrences)

Clan (96 Occurrences)

Zephonites (1 Occurrence)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Brother (402 Occurrences)

Malefactor (2 Occurrences)

Meremoth (6 Occurrences)

Primogeniture

Pictured (26 Occurrences)

Phaath

Bittern (4 Occurrences)

Beriites (1 Occurrence)

Becher (4 Occurrences)

Amramite (2 Occurrences)

Ahiramite (1 Occurrence)

Amramites (2 Occurrences)

Smaller (16 Occurrences)

Shim'e-ites (2 Occurrences)

Shuthelah (4 Occurrences)

Servant's (29 Occurrences)

Shimeites (2 Occurrences)

Clans (120 Occurrences)

Bedchamber (6 Occurrences)

Zerah (22 Occurrences)

Stock (16 Occurrences)

Korahites (7 Occurrences)

Kinsman (29 Occurrences)

Annas (4 Occurrences)

Bedstead (1 Occurrence)

Purity (16 Occurrences)

Adoption (5 Occurrences)

Maccabaeus

Zephonite (1 Occurrence)

Zabdi (17 Occurrences)

Zacharias (11 Occurrences)

Zorah (10 Occurrences)

Ze'phonites (1 Occurrence)

Zephon (5 Occurrences)

Zeb'ulun (41 Occurrences)

Kindred (41 Occurrences)

Kish (18 Occurrences)

Brethren (528 Occurrences)

Merar'ites (3 Occurrences)

Makir (17 Occurrences)

Merarites (7 Occurrences)

Family and Trust
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