Work is a fundamental part of God’s plan for humanity. From the beginning, God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it, showing that labor is not a curse but a calling. Hard work is a way to honor God and fulfill His purpose for our lives. The Bible encourages diligence, integrity, and perseverance in our work.
God wants His people to be faithful and committed in their labor. When we do our tasks with honesty and excellence, we bring glory to God. Work done with the right attitude not only provides for our needs but also allows us to contribute positively to our communities and families.
Laziness, on the other hand, is discouraged in Scripture. The Bible teaches that work is necessary to provide for ourselves and others. However, while hard work is important, God also commands rest. The pattern of six days of labor followed by a day of rest shows that balance is part of God’s design for a healthy life.
The following are Bible verses about labor. These verses highlight the value of work and the role it plays in fulfilling God’s purpose. May these words inspire you to see work as an opportunity to serve God and others with joy and dedication.
Preachers Quotes
“Work as if you were to live a hundred years, pray as if you were to die tomorrow.” – Benjamin Franklin
“God doesn’t require us to succeed, he only requires that you try.” – Mother Teresa
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” – Steve Jobs
“The highest reward for man’s toil is not what he gets for it, but what he becomes by it.” – John Ruskin
“God is more interested in your availability than your ability.” – D.L. Moody
“Whatever your work is, do it well. The glory of God should shine through your diligence.” – Charles Spurgeon
“Hard work means nothing if your heart is not in it, but when you work unto the Lord, He blesses the labor of your hands.” – Billy Graham
You might also be interested in: Bible verses about Hard Work Paying Off
Bible Verses About Labor
Genesis 2:15 – Work was part of God’s original plan.
“Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” – Genesis 2:15
Exodus 20:9 – Six days of labor are ordained.
“Six days you shall labor and do all your work.” – Exodus 20:9
Deuteronomy 28:12 – God blesses the work of your hands.
“The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.” – Deuteronomy 28:12
Psalm 90:17 – Establish the work of our hands.
“And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.” – Psalm 90:17
Proverbs 10:4 – Diligence leads to wealth.
“He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.” – Proverbs 10:4
Proverbs 12:11 – Hard work brings satisfaction.
“He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.” – Proverbs 12:11
Proverbs 14:23 – Labor brings profit.
“In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty.” – Proverbs 14:23
Proverbs 16:3 – Commit your work to the Lord.
“Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3
Ecclesiastes 9:10 – Work with all your might.
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.” – Ecclesiastes 9:10
Matthew 5:16 – Let your work glorify God.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Matthew 11:28 – Christ offers rest to the weary worker.
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
Luke 10:2 – The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
“Then He said to them, ‘The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.’” – Luke 10:2
John 6:27 – Labor for eternal rewards.
“Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life.” – John 6:27
1 Corinthians 15:58 – Labor is not in vain in the Lord.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58
2 Thessalonians 3:10 – If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
“For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:10
Colossians 3:23 – Work heartily for the Lord.
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” – Colossians 3:23
Hebrews 6:10 – God does not forget your labor.
“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name.” – Hebrews 6:10
Proverbs 18:9 – Laziness destroys productivity.
“He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.” – Proverbs 18:9
Proverbs 22:29 – Diligence brings promotion.
“Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.” – Proverbs 22:29
Psalm 128:2 – You will eat the fruit of your labor.
“When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.” – Psalm 128:2
Ecclesiastes 3:13 – Enjoy the fruits of your labor.
“Also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.” – Ecclesiastes 3:13
Isaiah 65:22 – The work of your hands shall be blessed.
“They shall not build and another inhabit; They shall not plant and another eat; For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” – Isaiah 65:22
Jeremiah 29:11 – God has plans to prosper you.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Haggai 2:4 – Be strong and work, for God is with you.
“Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel, says the Lord; and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land, says the Lord, and work; for I am with you, says the Lord of hosts.” – Haggai 2:4
Zechariah 4:6 – Success comes from God’s Spirit, not just effort.
“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” – Zechariah 4:6
Matthew 6:33 – Seek God first, and He will provide.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33
Luke 16:10 – Faithfulness in small things leads to greater responsibility.
“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much.” – Luke 16:10
John 5:17 – God is always working.
“But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.’” – John 5:17
Acts 20:35 – It is more blessed to give than to receive.
“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” – Acts 20:35
Romans 12:11 – Do not be lazy, but serve the Lord with enthusiasm.
“Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” – Romans 12:11
1 Corinthians 3:8 – Each worker will receive a reward.
“Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” – 1 Corinthians 3:8
1 Corinthians 4:12 – Enduring hardship while laboring.
“And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure.” – 1 Corinthians 4:12
1 Thessalonians 4:11 – Work with your own hands.
“That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:11
1 Timothy 5:8 – Providing for your household is essential.
“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” – 1 Timothy 5:8
2 Timothy 2:6 – The hardworking farmer deserves his share.
“The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.” – 2 Timothy 2:6
Titus 2:7 – Show integrity and diligence in your work.
“In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility.” – Titus 2:7
James 1:12 – Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial.
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” – James 1:12
James 2:17 – Faith without works is dead.
“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” – James 2:17
1 Peter 4:10 – Use your gifts to serve others.
“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” – 1 Peter 4:10
Revelation 2:2 – God sees and knows our labor.
“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil.” – Revelation 2:2
If you’re interested, here’s another article on: Bible verses about Serving The Church
What Does The Bible Say About Labor
The Bible teaches that labor is an important part of life and a gift from God. From the beginning, God created work as a way for people to take care of the earth and provide for themselves and others. In Genesis 2:15, God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it, showing that work was part of His perfect plan. Work is not a curse but a blessing when done with the right attitude.
Throughout the Bible, we see that diligence and hard work are valued. Proverbs 14:23 says, “In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty.” This means that working brings benefits, while laziness leads to lack. Proverbs 10:4 also tells us, “He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” God honors those who work hard and put effort into their tasks.
Jesus also taught about labor. In Matthew 5:16, He said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” This means that our work should bring glory to God. No matter what job we do, we should do it with excellence and honesty. Colossians 3:23 reminds us, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” This verse teaches that our work is ultimately for God, not just for human approval.
The Bible also warns against laziness. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 says, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” This means that people should not expect to live without effort. Paul, one of the apostles, worked as a tentmaker while preaching the gospel. He set an example by showing that even those in ministry should work hard.
However, while work is important, the Bible also teaches about rest. In Exodus 20:9-10, God commands people to work for six days and rest on the seventh. Rest is necessary to refresh the body and soul. Jesus also encouraged His followers to rest when needed (Mark 6:31). In conclusion, the Bible teaches that work is a good thing when done with honesty, diligence, and for God’s glory. It provides for our needs and allows us to serve others. At the same time, balance is needed, as rest is also a part of God’s plan.