What does the Bible say about work?
Work in the Bible is not a curse but a vocation. God works in Genesis, then gives humans work before the fall. Scripture warns against laziness, dignifies skilled labor, and reframes ordinary jobs as service to God. Paul's most repeated counsel: work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord.
Bible verses about work
"whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men;"
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"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest."
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"In all labor there is profit; But the talk of the lipstendethonly to penury."
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"And Jehovah God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it."
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"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, If any will not work, neither let him eat."
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"Commit thy works unto Jehovah, And thy purposes shall be established."
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Frequently asked
Is work a punishment in the Bible?
No. Genesis 2 places work in Eden, before the fall. What changed after the fall was the difficulty of work, not its existence.
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