How to Integrate Work and Worship Biblically

Contributor: Wyatt Thompson

“To work was to be like God, because the Bible’s God was a worker.” – Vishal Mangalwadi, The Book that Made Your World

Within our churches, we hear Christians of all ages declare that they want to be more like Jesus.  They want to grow in traits such as love, kindness, and mercy, but sometimes they may complain about their circumstances and thus become less Christlike.  Perhaps this lack of contentment is the result of a disconnect between work and personal life. 

As I am coming into the final weeks of SEU’s Missional Life class, I have reflected on the correlation between work and worship.  Work is often viewed as a 9-5 job and one of many boxes to check off every day before taking care of other responsibilities.  Viewing it as such can lead to devaluing the purpose of work, which can negatively affect relationships with God and others.   

While Sunday morning services are necessary to spiritual growth, God made Monday through Saturday for His people to honor and glorify Him.  Whether working at a 9-5 job, attending to household responsibilities, or participating in a community-based organization, Christians have the opportunity to represent Jesus through their contributions.  In order to have the proper integration of work and worship, they must truly be centered on Christ.

All Christians Are Missionaries

I believe that one reason why there is a disconnect between work and worship is that Christians have misunderstood what it means to be a missionary.  As a result of this separation, missionary work is relegated to going overseas or preaching on the street for the sake of converting unbelievers.  While not everybody is called to go overseas or practice street evangelism, all Christians are called to be missionaries in the sense that they must live out their faith through their work, regardless of the occupation. 

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” – Matthew 28:19-20a (NKJV)

Jesus gave this command to not only His first disciples, but all disciples to follow.  Unfortunately, many Christians seem to forget that their home country is included in “all the nations.”  The truth is that if Christians do not feel called to one place, then that probably means that they have been called elsewhere.  For example, if an American Christian does not feel called to go overseas, that likely means that they are called to serve in the United States.  

After all, imagine what would happen if everyone was a traditional missionary.  If all workers, Christian or otherwise, worked overseas or on the street, many responsibilities would be left untouched and unaddressed.  Consequently, God has placed everyone, including Christians, according to His purpose for a given point in time.  In turn, we Christians should reconsider the workplace as an essential part of the Mission Field to redefine our purpose and approach to work.

Why Work Should Be Worship

“Do you see a man who excels in his work? / He will stand before kings; / He will not stand before unknown men.” – Proverbs 22:29 (NKJV)

At first glance, this verse may send the message that Christians should be extremely devoted to their work.  However, this transactional mindset is unbiblical.  If Christians are centered on their work, that means they have removed God from the center of their lives.  To correct such misinterpretations, the Son of God exemplified what exact attitude Christians should embody when they work:

“Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.’” – John 4:34 (NKJV)

Worship is not just singing during church service; it is a comprehensive effort to serve the Lord through our actions.  In fact, the Hebrew word avodah is the idea of work integrated with worship.  It is about choosing whether we want to honor God or ourselves with the resources He has given us.  Consequently, if Christians bring the fruit of their God-given talents back to Him with gratitude, He considers that worship.

How to Worship in the Workplace

In capitalist nations such as the United States, people are taught to work for their self-gain.  While we Christians should work to provide for our families, we should not neglect how we treat our coworkers in the process.  Since Colossians 3:23-25 discuss the necessity of working unto the Lord, we must consider whether the way we treat our coworkers and approach our workplace responsibilities are influenced by our faith in Christ.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

Some Christians may think that forgiveness and acceptance are merit-based rewards to those who have committed certain sins.  This very rigid thinking negates the purpose of the Gospel as it implies that God freely gives forgiveness, grace, and mercy to some Christians but not others.  Since God extends the same amount of forgiveness, grace, and mercy to all sinners, it is necessary that we imitate that in our words and actions to those above and below us in the organizational hierarchy.

To accomplish this in the workplace, we should not continually preach reminders of the Gospel in hopes that they convert our coworkers.  Rather, we should consider whether our actions demonstrate the heart of God.  This includes how we take direction from our authorities.  There may be instances where we do not appreciate the work we have been assigned or the way our superiors treat us.  But if we submit to our tasks because God gave them to us, then we honor our superiors and bring glory to our Father.

Purpose in Every Season

Since studying abroad in Greece and Turkey, I have slowly realized that I am exactly where God wants me.  For many years, I have expected to know when I would step through a door, only to be disappointed by more uncertainty.  However, I was actually crossing the thresholds that God wanted me to walk through all along.

Every Christian has the choice to complain about their current circumstances or recognize that God chose them to be in a specific place at a specific time for His divine purpose.  Choosing the latter mindset can reframe their work ethic because it redefines the workplace as a ministry. 

By embracing their season and responsibilities, Christians become more like Jesus, who was faithful to every responsibility His Father gave Him.  Being centered on Christ, we can extend forgiveness, grace, and mercy; honor those in authority; and glorify our Sovereign Lord.

For Further Learning

• The Book that Made Your World: How the Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization by Vishal Mangalwadi

• A Joyful Heart by Alistair Begg

• Your Work is Your Worship or.. (Avodah) by Being a Disciple