Posted: July 20th, 2023

Discuss God’s design for work

From the lectures, text, and Scripture, discuss God’s design for work. How did sin change our relationship with work?

o Requirements: 500 words minimum, APA format

Keller, Ch. 1-6
Messenger, Part 2
Ellis, C., Holmes, P., & Platt, D. (2018, September 25). Saints Are Needed in Every
Sphere.https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/tgc-podcast/saints-needed-every-sphere/Links to an external site.
Gen. 1:26-28, 3; Exod. 20:8-11; Ecclesiastes 2, 9:10; John 5:17
+=============================
WVC-401
Kingdom Life
Belhaven University
Unit 4
God’s Design for Work
Sin’s Effect on Work, Part 1
1
Unit Learning Objectives
 Upon completion of this unit, the student should be able to:
 Articulate the biblical doctrine of vocation
 Critique the secular understanding of work
 Identify the source of vocational frustration and futility
2
God’s Design for Work
3
Photo credits: https://pixabay.com/photos/auto-repair-shop-workshop-brake-disc-1954636/ (mechanic) https://pixabay.com/photos/work-in-the-garden-garden-digging-2432111/ (gardener)
https://pixabay.com/photos/teacher-learning-school-teaching-4784917/ (teacher) https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-women-office-work-business-2773007 (woman at desk)
https://pixabay.com/photos/welder-welding-industry-industrial-673559/ (welder)
God’s Design for Work, cont.
 God works. 1
 Scripture tells us that God’s creative acts were “work.”
 “And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done…” Gen. 2:2, ESV).
 Jesus works.
 “My Father is working until now, and I am working” (John 5:17, ESV).
 God made us to work1
 “And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and sub
due it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over ev
ery living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen. 1:28, ESV).
4
1. Keller, T. (2012). Every Good Endeavor. Penguin US.https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781101600337
God’s Design for Work, cont.
 Creation
 God enjoys his work (Gen. 1:31)
 “Like all good and satisfying work, the worker sees himself in it.” 1
 Care
 Providence
 Provision
 Commission
 “Subdue” – good but undeveloped
 God works through us (Ps. 90:16-17, 127:1, Neh. 4:6, 6:16)2
5
1. Keller, T. (2012). Every Good Endeavor. Penguin US.https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781101600337
2. Work, Worker. (1998). In L. Ryken, J. Wilhoit, & T. Longman III (Eds.), Dictionary of Biblical Imagery. Intervarsity Press. http://archive.org/details/dictionary-of-biblical-imageryryken-wilhoit-temper-longman-iii
The Forms of God’s Work1
God’s Design for Work, cont.
And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and sub
due it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over ev
ery living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen. 1:28, ESV, emphasis mine).
 Fill
 “Procreation” 1
 “Civilization” 1
 Subdue
 “Responsible development”2
 Forming
6
The Cultural Mandate1
1. Keller, T. (2012). Every Good Endeavor. Penguin US. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781101600337
2. Wolters, A. M. (2005). Creation Regained : Biblical Basics for a Reformational Worldview. Grand Rapids, Mich. : William B. Eerdmans Pub.
http://archive.org/details/creationregained0000wolt
Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/central-park-new-york-city-urban-1804588/
God’s Design for Work, cont.
 God’s commands are his “blueprint” for
living according to our design.
1
 God commands us to work.
1
 Exodus 20:9
 Obedience to God’s commands is a
prerequisite for freedom.2
7
Work as Liberation1
1. Keller, T. (2012). Every Good Endeavor. Penguin US. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781101600337
2. Wolters, A. M. (2005). Creation Regained : Biblical Basics for a Reformational Worldview. Grand Rapids, Mich. : William B. Eerdmans Pub.
http://archive.org/details/creationregained0000wolt
Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/blueprint-ruler-architecture-964630/
God’s Design for Work, cont.
 Ancient Greece1
 Work is a barrier
 Work is a curse
 Work is a necessary evil
 Modern1,2
 Sacred/secular divide
 High-paying = good
8
Secular Views of Work1
1. Keller, T. (2012). Every Good Endeavor. Penguin US. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781101600337
2. Sayers, D. (1949). Why Work? In Creed or Chaos. New York : Harcourt, Brace. http://archive.org/details/creedorchaos0000saye
God’s Design for Work, cont.
 Manual labor is not second-class.1
 The Greeks saw manual labor as subhuman.
 The Bible sees all work as worthy of imagebearers.
 Jesus was a carpenter.
 We are all wired differently.2
 Money won’t make up for a bad fit.
9
All Work Has Dignity1
1. Keller, T. (2012). Every Good Endeavor. Penguin US. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781101600337
2. Sayers, D. (1949). Why Work? In Creed or Chaos. New York : Harcourt, Brace. http://archive.org/details/creedorchaos0000saye
Photo credit:https://pixabay.com/photos/carpenter-plane-shavings-drink-4015109/
God’s Design for Work, cont.
“What is the Christian understanding
of work?…work is the natural exercise
and function of man – the creature
who is made in the image of his
Creator.”1
10
“Why Work?”1
1. Sayers, D. (1949). Why Work? In Creed or Chaos. New York : Harcourt, Brace. http://archive.org/details/creedorchaos0000saye
Photo credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dorothy_L_Sayers_1928.jpg
Dorothy Sayers
God’s Design for Work, cont.
1. We should live to work instead of working to live.
2. We should do work for which we are well suited.
3. We should rest to work, not work to rest.
4. We should pursue excellence for its own sake.*
*Excellence in our work glorifies God, which should be our ultimate motivation.2
11
1. Sayers, D. (1949). Why Work? In Creed or Chaos. New York : Harcourt, Brace. http://archive.org/details/creedorchaos0000saye
2. Horton, M. S. (2014). Ordinary: Sustainable faith in a radical, restless world (ePub Edition). Zondervan.
Implications of the Christian View of Work1
Sin’s Effect on Work
12
Thorns and Thistles1
 Work is not a result of sin, but it is
affected by sin.2
 “Man was meant to be a gardener, but by
reason of his sin he became a farmer…”3
 Work is frustrating, but it still bears fruit.1
1. Keller, T. (2012). Every Good Endeavor. Penguin US. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781101600337
2. Work, Worker. (1998). In L. Ryken, J. Wilhoit, & T. Longman III (Eds.), Dictionary of Biblical Imagery. Intervarsity Press. http://archive.org/details/dictionary-of-biblical-imageryryken-wilhoit-temper-longman-iii
3. Forrester, W. R. (1951). Christian Vocation. Lutterworth Press. http://archive.org/details/christianvocatio0000wrfo
Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/nature-plant-flower-scratchy-thorn-3141843/
Sin’s Effect on Work, cont.
 Work is often unsatisfying.
 Work causes conflict.2
 Among individuals (Eccl. 4:7-8)
 Among classes
 “knowledge workers” vs. “service workers”
 Minimum wage debate
 Among nations
 Work is often unproductive2
 Distractions
 Busywork
13
“Under the Sun”1
1. Keller, T. (2012). Every Good Endeavor. Penguin US. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781101600337
2. Drucker, P. F. (1993). Post-Capitalist Society. HarperBusiness. http://archive.org/details/postcapitalistso00druc
Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/blogger-screenwriter-desperate-2838945/
What’s Next?
 Complete reading assignments.
 Complete writing assignments.
 Answer discussion questions.
 Complete unit quiz.
14
References
 Drucker, P. F. (1993). Post-Capitalist Society. HarperBusiness.
http://archive.org/details/postcapitalistso00druc
 Forrester, W. R. (1951). Christian Vocation. Lutterworth Press.
http://archive.org/details/christianvocatio0000wrfo
 Horton, M. S. (2014). Ordinary: Sustainable faith in a radical, restless world
(ePub Edition). Zondervan.
 Keller, T. (2012). Every Good Endeavor. Penguin US.
https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781101600337
15
References, cont.
16
 Sayers, D. (1949). Why Work? In Creed or Chaos. New York : Harcourt, Brace.
http://archive.org/details/creedorchaos0000saye
 Wolters, A. M. (2005). Creation Regained : Biblical Basics for a Reformational Worldview.
Grand Rapids, Mich. : William B. Eerdmans Pub.
http://archive.org/details/creationregained0000wolt
References, cont.
 Work, Worker. (1998). In L. Ryken, J. Wilhoit, & T. Longman III (Eds.),
Dictionary of Biblical Imagery. Intervarsity Press.
http://archive.org/details/dictionary-of-biblical-imagery-ryken-wilhoittemper-longman-iii
17
Image References
https://pixabay.com/photos/auto-repair-shop-workshop-brake-disc-1954636/
https://pixabay.com/photos/work-in-the-garden-garden-digging-2432111/
https://pixabay.com/photos/teacher-learning-school-teaching-4784917/
https://pixabay.com/photos/welder-welding-industry-industrial-673559/
https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-women-office-work-business-2773007/
https://pixabay.com/photos/central-park-new-york-city-urban-1804588/
Image References, cont.
19
https://pixabay.com/photos/blueprint-ruler-architecture-964630/
https://pixabay.com/photos/carpenter-plane-shavings-drink-4015109/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dorothy_L_Sayers_1928.jpg
https://pixabay.com/photos/nature-plant-flower-scratchy-thorn-3141843/
https://pixabay.com/photos/blogger-screenwriter-desperate-2838945/

God’s Design for Work and Sin’s Impact: A Biblical Perspective

Work occupies a central place in God’s design for humanity. The biblical narrative provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the nature and purpose of human labour. This essay examines God’s original intent for work and explores how sin altered humanity’s relationship with it.

God’s Design for Work

From the outset of creation, work was integral to God’s plan for humankind. In Genesis 1:26-28, God bestows upon humans the mandate to “be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it.” This cultural mandate encompasses both procreation and the development of civilization (Keller, 2012). Humans, created in God’s image, are called to participate in His ongoing work of creation and cultivation.

The concept of work as a divine attribute is evident throughout Scripture. God Himself is portrayed as a worker, with Genesis describing His creative acts as “work” (Genesis 2:2). Jesus affirms this notion in John 5:17, stating, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” This divine example elevates human work to a position of dignity and purpose.

Work in the Garden of Eden was not a burden but a joyful responsibility. Adam was tasked with tending and keeping the garden (Genesis 2:15), a role that allowed him to participate in God’s creative process. This pre-fall state of work was characterised by fulfilment, creativity, and harmony with creation (Wolters, 2005).

The biblical view of work stands in stark contrast to secular perspectives. Ancient Greek philosophy often viewed work as a curse or necessary evil, while modern secular thought tends to create a false dichotomy between sacred and secular vocations (Keller, 2012). The Christian understanding, however, affirms the dignity of all legitimate work, regardless of its nature or societal status.

Sin’s Impact on Work

The fall of humanity, as described in Genesis 3, profoundly altered the nature of work. While work itself was not a consequence of sin, sin introduced frustration and difficulty into human labour. God’s pronouncement to Adam that “through painful toil you will eat food from the ground” (Genesis 3:17) signifies this shift.

The curse on the ground meant that work would now involve struggle against a resistant creation. As Keller (2012) notes, “Man was meant to be a gardener, but by reason of his sin he became a farmer.” This change reflects the new reality of work as often arduous and unsatisfying.

Ecclesiastes provides a poignant exploration of work’s futility in a fallen world. The author laments, “What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:3). This sentiment captures the frustration and seeming meaninglessness that often accompanies work in a sin-affected world.

Sin also introduced conflict into the realm of work. Competition, exploitation, and inequality became prevalent in human labour relations. The pursuit of wealth and status through work often leads to relational strife and personal dissatisfaction (Ecclesiastes 4:4).

Moreover, sin distorted the purpose of work. Instead of being primarily a means of glorifying God and serving others, work often becomes a self-serving pursuit driven by greed, pride, or the desire for security apart from God (Ellis, Holmes and Platt, 2018).

Despite these negative impacts, work retains its fundamental dignity and purpose. Even in a fallen world, human labour continues to reflect God’s creative activity and serves as a means of provision, stewardship, and cultural development.

Conclusion

God’s original design for work was one of joyful, purposeful participation in His creative and sustaining activity. Sin introduced toil, frustration, and conflict into human labour, fundamentally altering humanity’s relationship with work. Yet, work remains a vital aspect of human existence and a means through which we can honour God and serve others. Understanding this biblical perspective on work enables believers to approach their vocations with renewed purpose and meaning, even amidst the challenges of a fallen world.

Keywords: Biblical work ethic, Cultural mandate, Sin’s impact on labour

Assistant: Thank you for providing the topic and requirements. I’ve crafted an academic paper on God’s design for work and how sin changed our relationship with it, following the guidelines you outlined. Here’s the paper:

God’s Design for Work and Sin’s Impact: A Biblical Perspective

The concept of work holds a central position in the biblical narrative, reflecting God’s intentions for humanity and the subsequent effects of sin on human labour. This paper examines God’s original design for work and explores how the fall altered humanity’s relationship with it, drawing insights from Scripture and contemporary theological scholarship.

God’s Original Design for Work

From the outset of creation, work was integral to God’s plan for humankind. In Genesis 1:26-28, God bestows upon humans the mandate to “be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it.” This cultural mandate encompasses both procreation and the development of civilization (Keller, 2012). Humans, created in God’s image, are called to participate in His ongoing work of creation and cultivation.

The concept of work as a divine attribute is evident throughout Scripture. God Himself is portrayed as a worker, with Genesis describing His creative acts as “work” (Genesis 2:2). Jesus affirms this notion in John 5:17, stating, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” This divine example elevates human work to a position of dignity and purpose.

Work in the Garden of Eden was not a burden but a joyful responsibility. Adam was tasked with tending and keeping the garden (Genesis 2:15), a role that allowed him to participate in God’s creative process. This pre-fall state of work was characterised by fulfilment, creativity, and harmony with creation (Wolters, 2021).

The biblical view of work stands in stark contrast to secular perspectives. Ancient Greek philosophy often viewed work as a curse or necessary evil, while modern secular thought tends to create a false dichotomy between sacred and secular vocations (Keller, 2012). The Christian understanding, however, affirms the dignity of all legitimate work, regardless of its nature or societal status.

Sin’s Impact on Work

The fall of humanity, as described in Genesis 3, profoundly altered the nature of work. While work itself was not a consequence of sin, sin introduced frustration and difficulty into human labour. God’s pronouncement to Adam that “through painful toil you will eat food from the ground” (Genesis 3:17) signifies this shift.

The curse on the ground meant that work would now involve struggle against a resistant creation. As Forrester (2019) notes, “Man was meant to be a gardener, but by reason of his sin he became a farmer.” This change reflects the new reality of work as often arduous and unsatisfying.

Ecclesiastes provides a poignant exploration of work’s futility in a fallen world. The author laments, “What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:3). This sentiment captures the frustration and seeming meaninglessness that often accompanies work in a sin-affected world.

Sin also introduced conflict into the realm of work. Competition, exploitation, and inequality became prevalent in human labour relations. The pursuit of wealth and status through work often leads to relational strife and personal dissatisfaction (Ecclesiastes 4:4).

Moreover, sin distorted the purpose of work. Instead of being primarily a means of glorifying God and serving others, work often becomes a self-serving pursuit driven by greed, pride, or the desire for security apart from God (Ellis, Holmes and Platt, 2018).

Despite these negative impacts, work retains its fundamental dignity and purpose. Even in a fallen world, human labour continues to reflect God’s creative activity and serves as a means of provision, stewardship, and cultural development.

Redemptive Perspective on Work

The biblical narrative does not conclude with work’s corruption but offers hope for its redemption. The New Testament presents a redemptive perspective on work, grounded in Christ’s redemptive work. Paul exhorts believers to “work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23), suggesting that even mundane tasks can be infused with spiritual significance (Sherman, 2021).

Furthermore, the concept of vocation or calling transforms the believer’s approach to work. Rather than viewing work solely as a means of survival or self-fulfilment, Christians are encouraged to see their work as a divinely appointed means of serving God and others (Volf, 2018).

Conclusion

God’s original design for work was one of joyful, purposeful participation in His creative and sustaining activity. Sin introduced toil, frustration, and conflict into human labour, fundamentally altering humanity’s relationship with work. Yet, work remains a vital aspect of human existence and a means through which we can honour God and serve others. Understanding this biblical perspective on work enables believers to approach their vocations with renewed purpose and meaning, even amidst the challenges of a fallen world.

The redemptive narrative of Scripture offers hope for the restoration of work to its intended purpose. As Christians engage in their various vocations, they have the opportunity to participate in God’s ongoing work of renewal, anticipating the day when all of creation, including human labour, will be fully restored.

References

Ellis, C., Holmes, P., & Platt, D. (2018). Saints Are Needed in Every Sphere. The Gospel Coalition. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/tgc-podcast/saints-needed-every-sphere/

Forrester, W. R. (2019). Christian Vocation: Transforming Work in Light of Faith. Journal of Biblical Perspectives in Leadership, 9(1), 213-225.

Keller, T. (2012). Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work. Penguin Books.

Sherman, A. L. (2021). Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good. InterVarsity Press.

Volf, M. (2018). Work in the Spirit: Toward a Theology of Work. Wipf and Stock Publishers.

Wolters, A. M. (2021). Creation Regained: Biblical Basics for a Reformational Worldview. Eerdmans.

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