Work is one of those words that can trigger a wide range of emotions. For some, it’s a dreaded four-letter word. For others, it’s a means to an end — something to endure until retirement. And for a few, it’s an opportunity to shine and be recognized. But what does the Bible actually say about work? Pastor Josh White walks us through Solomon’s teaching in Ecclesiastes and draws from Paul’s letters to show us that work, when viewed through the lens of our heavenly citizenship, isn’t chasing wind at all — it’s a meaningful gift from God.
Work as God’s Gift
Before diving into the main text, it’s worth noting that Solomon doesn’t lump work in with the other “chasing wind” activities he critiques in Ecclesiastes. In fact, work is one of the few things Solomon identifies as genuinely meaningful. In Ecclesiastes 3:12–13, he writes:
“I perceive that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live. Also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil — this is God’s gift to man.”
And again in Ecclesiastes 5:18–19:
“Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun, the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil — this is the gift of God.”
Solomon calls work a gift — twice. Not a curse. Not a necessary evil. A gift. That’s a radically different perspective than how many of us approach Monday morning.
Our True Citizenship: One True Employer
The first main idea Pastor Josh emphasizes is that believers have one true employer: God. To unpack this, he turns to Philippians 3:17–21, where Paul writes to the Philippians about their identity:
“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us… For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction… But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”
Paul uses the word citizenship deliberately. The Philippians understood the weight of that word — Philippi was a Roman colony, and its citizens enjoyed the privileges, protection, and identity that came with Roman citizenship. But Paul reminds them (and us) that our ultimate citizenship isn’t American, isn’t Arizona, isn’t any earthly nation — it’s heaven.
That heavenly citizenship is our present reality, not just a future hope. It shapes our values, our conduct, and yes — our work. So when you punch in, you might work for an earthly employer, but ultimately you belong to Jesus Christ. Your work is an act of worship to your true Master.
Can the people you work with see that you have a different motivation? Can they tell that your standards are higher because your citizenship is in heaven, not here? The way you talk, your attitude, your work ethic — those are all a testimony to the truth of the gospel.
Our True Motivation: Working for the Lord
The second main idea is this: as followers of Jesus Christ, we all have one true motivation. Pastor Josh turns to Colossians 3:22–24:
“Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
This is our motivation. Not a paycheck. Not recognition. Not just avoiding getting fired. We work to please our Savior.
Here’s the practical implication: if every believer adopted this motivation, it would change everything about how we work. There would be no such thing as a “secular” job. Every task, every responsibility, every hour of labor becomes ministry because it’s done for Christ.
Pastor Josh put it this way: “The way you live your life is your sermon to the people in your life. The way that you do your job is your proclamation, is your preaching.” Whether you’re a pastor, a nurse, a teacher, a student, a parent, a grandparent — in this sense, we’re all preachers. We all have the same motivation, the same purpose, the same Servant-heart.
Created for Good Works
What about those who are retired — does this apply to them too? Absolutely. Ephesians 2:8–10 makes clear that all believers, regardless of employment status, are created in Christ Jesus for good works:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing — it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Retirement doesn’t mean the work is over — it just changes form. Work is anything you do that betters someone else’s life. And the motivation remains the same: we’re serving the Lord Christ in all of it.
The Truth We Proclaim
Undergirding everything Pastor Josh shared is a core truth about why we do what we do. He turned to John 18:36, where Jesus tells Pilate:
“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
And then Jesus reveals His purpose:
“For this purpose I have been born and for this purpose I have come into the world — to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
That truth is summarized in Romans 3:23–24:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
This is the truth that changed everything. This is what we live for. This is the message that our lives — and our work — should proclaim to everyone around us.
Living the Sermon
You may never step into a church, but you will watch someone do their job. You may never read a Bible, but you will see how someone lives their life. That means your work isn’t just a task — it’s a testimony. You are the salt and light of the world. Your Monday through Friday (and your Saturdays too) is your opportunity to preach the gospel without saying a word.
Work isn’t chasing wind. Work is a gift from God. Work is one of the meaningful activities that Solomon points to in Ecclesiastes — not because of what we get out of it, but because of who we do it for. When our citizenship is in heaven and our motivation is Christ, every job becomes sacred ground.
So whatever you do — whether you’re a pastor or a plumber, a CEO or a stay-at-home parent — do it heartily as for the Lord. Because that’s exactly who you’re serving.
Scripture References
- Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 — Work is God’s gift to man
- Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 — Enjoyment and meaning in work
- Philippians 3:17-21 — Our citizenship is in heaven
- Colossians 3:22-24 — Work heartily for the Lord Christ
- Ephesians 2:8-10 — Created in Christ for good works
- John 18:36 — Christ’s kingdom is not of this world
- Romans 3:23-24 — All have sinned, justified by grace