In the Bible, you’ll notice that everybody works! And most of its heroes had secular jobd. Isaac developed land, Jacob was a farmer, Joseph served God best by staying in his well-paying government job rather than starting a non-profit, faith-based organisation to do charity work. Daniel was an immigrant who attended Babylon’s version of Oxford University and grew to be prime minister. Lydia was a profitable businesswoman in textiles. And the ultimate expression of how much God values work is Jesus the carpenter. For more than three-quarters of His life, He was occupied in the building trade, possibly creating benches and tables, and was probably involved in construction work. The word we translate as ‘carpenter’ comes from the Greek word tektón, which is where we get our word technology, and it would include the capability to do stone or masonry work – in other words, a craftsperson. The Bible was penned by workers, about workers, and for workers. Work was God’s idea. ‘The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it’ (Genesis 2:15 NIV). The first man, Adam, was a landscaper, gardener, and conservationist of God’s creation. By identifying what you’ve been called to do in life and giving yourself fully to it, you’re as ‘ordained’ as any pastor who stands in a pulpit. It’s a shame that we use the word secular when it comes to any kind of work other than church work, because God doesn’t see it that way. All honest work earns His smile of approval. When it comes to work, the thing He requires from you is wrapped up in these words: ‘Whatever you do, do well.’
