The concept of being hard-working is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, reflecting a virtue that is both commended and expected among the faithful. The Bible presents hard work as a means of fulfilling God's purposes, providing for one's family, and serving others. It is often associated with diligence, perseverance, and a strong work ethic.

Biblical Foundations

The Bible begins with the account of creation, where God Himself is depicted as a worker. In Genesis 2:2 , it states, "By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work." This sets a divine precedent for work, illustrating that labor is part of God's design for humanity.

Old Testament Insights

The Old Testament frequently highlights the value of hard work. Proverbs, in particular, is replete with wisdom regarding diligence and the consequences of laziness. Proverbs 10:4 states, "Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth." This proverb underscores the practical benefits of hard work, linking it to prosperity and success.

Another significant passage is found in Ecclesiastes 9:10 : "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom." This verse encourages wholehearted effort in all endeavors, recognizing the temporal nature of life and the opportunity to work diligently while alive.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues to emphasize the importance of hard work, particularly in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus commends the servants who diligently invest and multiply their master's resources, while the servant who fails to work is reprimanded. This parable illustrates the expectation of faithful stewardship and industriousness.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the theme of hard work in his epistles. In Colossians 3:23-24 , he writes, "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." Paul encourages believers to work with sincerity and dedication, viewing their labor as service to Christ Himself.

In 2 Thessalonians 3:10 , Paul provides a practical admonition: "For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat." This directive highlights the expectation of contributing through labor and the importance of personal responsibility.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, hard work is seen as a reflection of God's character and an act of worship. It is a means by which believers can glorify God, serve others, and fulfill their God-given potential. The Bible portrays work not as a curse, but as a calling, with the potential to bring about personal growth, community development, and the advancement of God's kingdom.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, the biblical call to be hard-working encourages believers to approach their vocations, ministries, and daily tasks with diligence and integrity. It challenges Christians to resist the temptations of sloth and complacency, instead embracing a lifestyle of purposeful and productive labor. Through hard work, believers can demonstrate their faith, provide for their families, and contribute to the well-being of society.2872. kopiao -- to grow weary, toil
... Word Origin from kopos Definition to grow weary, toil NASB Word Usage diligently
labor (1), grown weary (1), hard-working (1), labor (3), labored (4), labors (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2872.htm - 8k

The Name of God
... Absolute, infinite, first cause, and so forth, are deep words: but they are words
of man's invention, and words too which plain, hard-working, hard-sorrowing ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon vii the name of god.htm

A Peasant's Son
... when he was only sixteen, he was engaged as tutor to the children of M. de Commet,
a lawyer, who had taken a fancy to the clever, hardworking young scholar. ...
/.../forbes/life of st vincent de paul/chapter 1 a peasants son.htm

Drunkenness.
... with the 250,000 finished products of the saloon who go down into drunkards' graves
every year, but with the sober, respectable, hard-working, voting citizens ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/ii drunkenness.htm

Ill-Temper
... The elder brother, hard-working, patient, dutiful"let him get full credit for
his virtues"comes in from his long day's work in the fields. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/ill-temper.htm

Questions About the Lord's Supper
... Reformed Church of England. They think all earnest, eloquent, zealous,
hard-working clergymen cannot be far wrong. And when you ...
/.../chapter xx questions about the.htm

The Peculiar Sleep of the Beloved
... While luxurious effeminacy cannot rest, tossing itself from side to side upon a
bed of eider down, the hard-working labourer, with his strong and powerful limbs ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the peculiar sleep of the.htm

Prayer and Transfiguration
... The hard-working man may well say, 'How can I, with my business cares calling"for
my undivided attention all day long, keep up such communion?' The toiling ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/prayer and transfiguration.htm

Johann Matthesius
... has been characteristic of many of her secluded districts since the Reformation,"
quiet as to outward tenor amid those eventful times, hardworking in the ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/johann matthesius.htm

St. Ambrose Gives Additional Rules Concerning Repentance, and ...
... 3. Let us then dung this field which we possess, and imitate those hard-working
farmers, who are not ashamed to satiate the land with rich dung and to scatter ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter i st ambrose gives.htm

In the Course of this Crude Study we Shall have to Touch on what ...
... For a plain, hard-working man the home is not the one tame place in the world of
adventure. It is the one wild place in the world of rules and set tasks. ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 8 in the course.htm

Hard-working (1 Occurrence)
Hard-working. Hardships, Hard-working. Hare . Multi-Version
Concordance Hard-working (1 Occurrence). 2 Timothy 2:6 The ...
/h/hard-working.htm - 6k

Hardships (12 Occurrences)

/h/hardships.htm - 9k

Hare (2 Occurrences)

/h/hare.htm - 12k

Wisdom (320 Occurrences)
... The man was intelligent, earnest, and hard-working (Proverbs has a particular
contempt for the "sluggard"; and compare Ecclesiastes 9:10). ...
/w/wisdom.htm - 101k

Mary (50 Occurrences)
... 2. Character: If a type is to be sought in the character of Joseph, it is that of
a simple, honest, hard-working, God-fearing man, who was possessed of large ...
/m/mary.htm - 72k

Husband (154 Occurrences)
... 2. Character: If a type is to be sought in the character of Joseph, it is that of
a simple, honest, hard-working, God-fearing man, who was possessed of large ...
/h/husband.htm - 55k

Joseph (248 Occurrences)
... 2. Character: If a type is to be sought in the character of Joseph, it is that of
a simple, honest, hard-working, God-fearing man, who was possessed of large ...
/j/joseph.htm - 91k

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