Work

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Work is a fundamental aspect of human existence, woven into the fabric of creation by God Himself. From a historic Christian perspective, our ministry affirms that work is not merely a means of survival, but an intrinsic expression of human dignity, rooted in the divine design and purpose for humanity from the beginning. This theology of work is grounded in the creation mandate, affirmed through the redemptive narrative of Scripture, and nuanced by the reality of the Fall, which complicates but does not negate the inherent goodness of work.

The Creation Mandate: Work as Divine Design

The foundation of a Christian theology of work begins with the creation account in Genesis 1–2. God, as the ultimate Worker, creates the heavens and the earth, bringing order out of chaos and declaring His creation "very good" (Genesis 1:31). After forming humanity in His image (Genesis 1:26-27), God entrusts Adam and Eve with the creation mandate: "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth" (Genesis 1:28, ESV). God had just blessed Adam and Eve as truly unique creatures. God blessed them – and only them – with a nature that adds, multiplies, spreads, subdues all the other creatures, and that rules the earth. Only humankind possesses all of these offices. The nature of mankind is what allows men and women to carry out the command given in Genesis 2:15. There, God placed Adam in the garden “to work it and keep it”, underscoring that work is a pre-Fall institution, integral to human purpose.

The creation mandate reveals that work is not a peripheral activity but a reflection of the imago Dei—the image of God in humanity. Just as God creates, sustains, and orders, humans are called to faithfully exercise their nature to co-create, cultivate, and care for the world. This imbues work with profound dignity, as it mirrors divine activity and participates in God’s ongoing creative purposes. Whether tending a garden, building a city, or nurturing a family, work is a means of glorifying God and being fully human. The early Church Fathers, such as Augustine, affirmed this view, teaching that labor is a divine gift, enabling humans to partner with God in His redemptive plan for creation.

Work and Human Dignity

From this perspective, work is not merely utilitarian but an essential expression of human identity and dignity. The Reformers, particularly Martin Luther and John Calvin, emphasized that all lawful vocations—whether farming, governance, or craftsmanship—are holy callings when done unto God. Luther argued that through work, individuals serve their neighbors and fulfill God’s commandments, while Calvin saw work as a means of glorifying God through faithful stewardship. This view counters secular notions that reduce work to economic necessity or social status, affirming instead that every task, no matter how mundane, carries eternal significance when offered as worship (Colossians 3:23–24). All honest work, whether performed by a bag boy at a supermarket or the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, possesses equal dignity in God’s eyes, as both reflect the divine calling to serve and steward creation faithfully.

Human dignity in work stems from its divine origin. Because humans are created in God’s image, their labor reflects their unique capacity for creativity, responsibility, and relationship. Work is not a punishment but a privilege, enabling individuals to contribute to the flourishing of creation and community. This understanding challenges modern tendencies to compartmentalize work as separate from spiritual life, affirming that all labor—when aligned with God’s purposes—participates in His redemptive mission.

Work, Dignity, and the Poor

The intrinsic link between work and human dignity has profound implications for how we engage with the poor. Poverty often strips individuals of opportunities to express their God-given capacity for meaningful labor, reducing them to mere recipients of aid. Our ministry believes that while immediate relief, such as food or financial assistance, is sometimes necessary, handouts alone can inadvertently undermine dignity by fostering dependency. Instead, we advocate for approaches that restore the poor to their God-ordained role as co-creators and stewards through work. By providing access to training, resources, and opportunities for sustainable employment—whether through vocational programs, microfinance, or community development initiatives—we encourage the empowerment of individuals to contribute to their families and communities, affirming their inherent worth.

This perspective aligns with the biblical call to justice and compassion. In Leviticus 19:9–10, God instructs His people to leave gleanings for the poor, enabling them to work for their sustenance rather than simply receiving charity. Similarly, the Apostle Paul’s admonition in 2 Thessalonians 3:10–12 underscores the value of labor, encouraging believers to work diligently to provide for themselves and others. When working with the poor, our ministry seeks to create pathways for meaningful work, recognizing that such opportunities not only meet material needs but also restore a sense of purpose and agency, reflecting the dignity conferred by the creation mandate.

The Fall: Complicating the Gift of Work

While work is inherently good, the Fall introduced profound complications into the human experience of labor. Genesis 3:17–19 describes the curse placed upon Adam after his disobedience: "Cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you… By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread." The Fall did not create work but fractured its harmony, introducing toil, frustration, and futility. The ground resists cultivation, relationships strain under ambition or greed, and work often becomes a source of exhaustion rather than joy.

This post-Fall reality is evident in the alienation and brokenness that pervade modern workplaces—whether through exploitation, monotony, or injustice. For the poor, these challenges are often magnified, as systemic barriers such as lack of education, discrimination, or economic exclusion make work even more arduous. The Apostle Paul acknowledges this tension in Romans 8:20–22, describing creation as "subjected to futility" and groaning for redemption. Yet, even in its fallen state, work retains its divine purpose. The toil introduced by the Fall does not negate the creation mandate but calls Christians to approach work with perseverance, humility, and hope, trusting that God is redeeming all things, including labor, through Christ.

Redemption and the Restoration of Work

The gospel offers hope for work’s restoration. Through Christ’s redemptive work, the curse of the Fall is being undone, and believers are invited to participate in this renewal. Colossians 1:20 declares that Christ reconciles "all things" to Himself, which includes the sphere of work. Christians are called to labor as stewards of God’s creation, embodying kingdom values such as justice, compassion, and integrity. The Puritan theologian William Perkins described work as a "calling" through which believers serve God and neighbor, anticipating the day when creation will be fully restored (Revelation 21:1–5).

For the poor, this redemptive vision means advocating for systems that promote opportunities for work. Our ministry is committed to partnering with communities to create environments where all people can engage in meaningful labor, reflecting God’s design for human flourishing. By doing so, we participate in Christ’s mission to restore dignity and purpose to every individual, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Conclusion

Our ministry’s theology of work, rooted in the historic Christian tradition, affirms that work is a divine gift, integral to human dignity and the creation mandate. While the Fall introduced toil and frustration, it did not erase work’s inherent goodness or purpose. Through Christ, work is being redeemed, and believers are called to labor faithfully as stewards of God’s creation. In our work with the poor, we prioritize empowering individuals through meaningful labor, recognizing that work is not just a means of survival but a vital expression of their God-given dignity. By embracing this theology, Christians can approach their work with purpose, dignity, and hope, trusting that their labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).