Working Hard
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Definition and Importance
Working hard is a principle deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, emphasizing diligence, responsibility, and stewardship. The Bible presents work as a divine ordinance, established by God from the beginning of creation. It is not merely a means of survival but a way to honor God, serve others, and fulfill one's purpose.

Biblical Foundation
The concept of work is introduced in Genesis, where God Himself is depicted as a worker. "By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work" (Genesis 2:2). This establishes work as a divine activity, and humans, created in God's image, are called to emulate this attribute.

Diligence and Reward
The Bible frequently associates hard work with positive outcomes. Proverbs 12:24 states, "The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor" . This proverb highlights the value of diligence, suggesting that those who work hard will attain positions of influence and authority, while laziness leads to subjugation and hardship.

Work as Service
In the New Testament, work is often framed as a form of service to God and others. 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" . This passage encourages believers to view their labor as an act of worship, performed with integrity and dedication.

Warnings Against Idleness
Scripture also warns against idleness and its consequences. In 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, Paul admonishes, "For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat. Yet we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives and accomplishing nothing but being busybodies. We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living" . This directive underscores the expectation that believers should contribute productively to their communities.

Work and Provision
The Bible assures that God provides for those who work diligently. Proverbs 10:4-5 notes, "Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son" . This wisdom literature emphasizes the correlation between hard work and material provision, encouraging foresight and industriousness.

Spiritual Implications
Working hard is not solely about economic gain; it has spiritual implications as well. Ephesians 4:28 advises, "He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need" . This verse highlights the transformative power of work, turning former thieves into generous contributors to society.

Conclusion
The biblical perspective on working hard is multifaceted, encompassing diligence, service, provision, and spiritual growth. It is a divine mandate that reflects God's character and purposes, encouraging believers to engage in their labors with dedication and integrity.
Topical Bible Verses
Colossians 3:23-24
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men;
Topicalbible.org

Titus 2:5
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Topicalbible.org

Greek
2872. kopiao -- to grow weary, toil
... labored (4), labors (1), toil (4), wearied (1), weary (1), work hard (1), worked
(2), worked hard (1), worked hard worked hard (1), workers (1), working hard (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2872.htm - 8k
Library

Annie and Vanie's First Real Prayer
... with my books. I was working hard at them with the sweat on my face, in
my great anxiety to be ready in time. Suddenly I could not ...
/.../annie and vanies first real.htm

Possessing, and "Working Out. "
... But the 'working out of salvation'"is man's part in the work of salvation. ... Many of
you have tried hard to save yourselves; but what has been the end of it all ...
/.../moody/sovereign grace/chapter iii possessing and working.htm

The Two-Fold Aspect of the Divine Working
... THE PROVERBS THE TWO-FOLD ASPECT OF THE DIVINE WORKING. ... are the foundations of His
throne.' The way of the Lord, says this old thinker, is hard to understand ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the two-fold aspect of the.htm

Our Fellow.
... He was used to working hard and being kept busy. It would seem that He
had the care of His mother after the home was broken up. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/our fellow.htm

Instructions for Fishermen
... The fishers had had a very hard night's toil. If they had been like some of us they
would have said, 'Oh! I have been working hard all the night. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/instructions for fishermen.htm

The Conversion of Constantine.
... that they missed the life of hardness, which they used to think a great blessing,
went apart from men, and lived in caves, quite alone, working hard for very ...
/.../yonge/the chosen people/lesson xxvi the conversion of.htm

First Day in New York
... Exercising the principle of the Apostle Paul, working hard for his living, stranger
not only to the ethics and customs of the people whose sympathetic hearts ...
/.../chapter iii first day in.htm

Rondelet, {7} the Huguenot Naturalist {8}
... They were most of them, probably, mere boys of from twelve to twenty, living poorly,
working hard, and"those at least of them who were in the colleges ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/rondelet 7 the huguenot naturalist.htm

An Appeal to Children of Godly Parents
... Possibly some here have no prospect but that of working hard to earn their bread
with the sweat of their brow; some have begun to lay bricks, or to drive the ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/an appeal to children of.htm

Work
... When they shut themselves up from the world to worship God in prayers and hymns,
they found that, without working, without hard work either of head or hands ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xii work.htm

Resources
Is it biblically acceptable for a man to be a stay-at-home dad? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian work as a bartender? | GotQuestions.org

What is pikuach nefesh? | GotQuestions.org

Working: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Working

Working for God

Working Hard

Working Mothers

Working on Sunday

Working Overtime

Working Together

Working Too Much

Working With People

Related Terms

Wonder-working (4 Occurrences)

Working-days (1 Occurrence)

Cloth-working (1 Occurrence)

Worker (36 Occurrences)

Effectual (8 Occurrences)

Toil (66 Occurrences)

Crafts (2 Occurrences)

Toiled (13 Occurrences)

Labor (181 Occurrences)

Work (4564 Occurrences)

Wonders (111 Occurrences)

Dial (2 Occurrences)

Evolution

Labour (119 Occurrences)

Worked (145 Occurrences)

Miracle (15 Occurrences)

Mighty (514 Occurrences)

Predestination

Payment (168 Occurrences)

Control (88 Occurrences)

Yoke (79 Occurrences)

Kit (3 Occurrences)

Joint (12 Occurrences)

Workman (22 Occurrences)

Worker's (1 Occurrence)

Workfellow (1 Occurrence)

Whereof (94 Occurrences)

Inspecting (5 Occurrences)

Forbear (24 Occurrences)

Feelings (26 Occurrences)

Toiling (8 Occurrences)

Effecting (9 Occurrences)

Detail (19 Occurrences)

Drives (17 Occurrences)

Miraculous (54 Occurrences)

Meaningless (32 Occurrences)

Powerfully (6 Occurrences)

Plots (20 Occurrences)

Arrival (19 Occurrences)

Strongly (15 Occurrences)

Struggling (3 Occurrences)

Shears (1 Occurrence)

Measure (269 Occurrences)

Sabbath-day (23 Occurrences)

Behoveth (75 Occurrences)

Less (93 Occurrences)

Itself (203 Occurrences)

Attention (236 Occurrences)

Increased (165 Occurrences)

Exceeding (101 Occurrences)

Spite (28 Occurrences)

Believing (84 Occurrences)

Line (131 Occurrences)

Produced (39 Occurrences)

Marked (163 Occurrences)

Trouble (477 Occurrences)

Business (147 Occurrences)

Desires (151 Occurrences)

Ahaz (42 Occurrences)

Damage (57 Occurrences)

Truth (380 Occurrences)

Accordance (118 Occurrences)

Josiah (51 Occurrences)

Bodies (144 Occurrences)

Laws (184 Occurrences)

Argument (45 Occurrences)

Agrarian

Using (88 Occurrences)

Myself (395 Occurrences)

Wonder-workers (16 Occurrences)

Effect (173 Occurrences)

Memory (181 Occurrences)

Amen (74 Occurrences)

Waiting (274 Occurrences)

Signs (127 Occurrences)

Splendor (87 Occurrences)

Holy (1097 Occurrences)

Amos (12 Occurrences)

Preached (75 Occurrences)

Working for God's Glory
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