Hard Work and Providing for One’s Family

Working hard to provide for one’s family is essential in the Christian life. Paul reminded the Thessalonian church that

we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, . . . but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you . . . in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example. (2 Thess. 3:7–9, NASB 1995)

This duty to provide is as relevant in the twenty-first century as it was in the first, and it is rooted in creation.

Mankind was created to work, as image bearers of God. Our Creator’s mandate to “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” (Gen. 1:28) resonates in our soul. The Lord expects diligence and creative effort:  we were born to build, to produce, to harvest, and to provide.

But the ruinous effects of the fall brought a curse to the ground, impeding our productivity and diminishing our satisfaction in laboring. Working by the sweat of our brows against the thorns and thistles of this world is not easy. But by grace, Christ redeems us and helps us fulfill our life’s purpose.

Many believers, however, fall into one of two extremes: too little work (the sluggard) or too much work (the workaholic). The first is condemned for his laziness: “The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor” (Prov. 21.25). The latter is condemned for his foolishness: “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep” (Ps. 127:2).

How do we strike the balance between too much work and too little? In every job, focusing on the quality of our work, not the quantity of our work, usually cures the problem. “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings” (Prov. 22:29). And we ultimately serve only one King.

Hard work is difficult to define. It does not mean simply more work, as in longer hours, or faster work, as in frantically multitasking. The goal is to be effective, not just efficient; to finish the job well. But how do we get there? Here are some “SIMPLE” ways:

Slow down. Live in the moment, and focus intensely on one task at a time. Turn off the distractions of incessant emails, text messages, and phone calls, blocking time for concentrated work. Do fewer things, so that you can do them better. We often mistake busyness for diligence, and activity for productivity.

Important things first. Schedule blocks of time to efficiently handle meetings, calls, and communications, but guard your most productive hours to work uninterrupted on priority tasks and long-term projects. The tyranny of the urgent is the enemy of the important. Complete the key item on your to-do list first, no matter how long it takes.

Mentored. Follow the example of older men and women, learning from their experience. Imitate their lives and seek their counsel. My dear pastor for eighteen years, Dr. Glen Charles Knecht, taught me how to prepare a lesson, and he gave constructive criticism from time to time. “Your lesson should smell of the midnight oil.” Or “Don’t simply read your notes or overly rely on your outline, but lay it to memory; then look into their eyes as you speak.” He went on to emphasize depending on the Holy Spirit to lead and bring to mind what He would have you say.

Prayer-guided. Our work should be spiritually discerned. Ask the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5) to prioritize and develop a plan of attack. Seek insight in how to glorify the Father, trusting Him with all your heart and leaning not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledging Him, and “he will make straight your paths” (Prov. 3:5–6).

Learned skills. Whatever your calling, hone your craft. Improve your skills, expand your knowledge, develop healthy work habits, schedule time to reflect, and know your optimal work hours. Focus on quality. Diligence in finishing a task is itself a learned skill, as by nature we look for shortcuts and take the easy way out. “Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys” (Prov. 18:9). Stick to the job until the end, knowing that starting and finishing a task are the hardest parts. Never stop learning new skills.

Endurance. Maintaining effort for the long run is our goal. To do so requires life balance, giving due attention to body, mind, and spirit. Eat well, rest well, and exercise your body. If your vocation is primarily knowledge work, choose avocations that require physical activity. If your vocation is primarily physical work, choose hobbies that challenge and stimulate the mind. A consistent pattern of work, rest, recreation, and nourishment helps us run with endurance. Remember that you are doing kingdom work. The Puritan minister John Cotton summed it up eloquently:

A man therefore that serves Christ in serving of men . . . does his work sincerely as in God’s presence, and as one that has an heavenly business in hand, and therefore comfortably as knowing God approves of his way and work.

Keep working diligently, as unto to the Lord.

SIMPLE work is a bold testimony to your family and to the watching world. Therefore, labor “as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, . . . knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord” (Eph. 6:6–8). Such work yields many blessings, and shapes us for the life to come. Finish well.