Your work matters to God. While stress and discouragement can sometimes make it challenging to work hard, you can always turn to the Bible for motivation. Working hard is an important part of living a faithful life, the Bible says, and God will empower you with strength as you work. Let these Bible verses about hard work motivate you to give your work your best efforts and seek God’s help along the way.
What Does the Bible Teach about Hard Work?
The Bible teaches that hard work is a good pursuit because it gives you an opportunity to serve God in ways that fulfill your purpose and contribute to others. Just as God worked to create the universe and proclaimed creation to be good (Genesis 1:31), God entrusted humanity to work to care for creation (Genesis 2:15). Hard work involves faithfully doing our best with the abilities God has given us to contribute to the world. God prioritizes working, and he is always at work. Jesus says in John 5:17: “… My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” Working hard yourself is a choice that can flow out of your gratitude for God, who is working hard for you.
Hard work is also an essential way of staying accountable to God for the contributions you’re meant to make in this world. Not only are you living evidence of God’s good work yourself, but God has also prepared good work for you to do during your earthly life. Ephesians 2:10 reveals: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
More Motivational Bible Verses about Hard Work
In addition to the four verses we’ve explored so far, read 26 other Bible verses about hard work:
Verses about serving God through hard work:
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” – Colossians 3:23-24
“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do…” – Ephesians 6:7-8
“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” – Romans 12:11
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17
Verses about serving others and experiencing rewards yourself through hard work:
“You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.” – Psalm 128:2
“… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” – 1 Timothy 5:8
“In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” – Proverbs 14:23
“It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.” – 2 Timothy 2:6
“If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
“A sluggard's appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” – Proverbs 13:4
“Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.” – Proverbs 12:24
“Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.” – Proverbs 12:11
“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” Proverbs 6:6-8
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.” – Philippians 2:14-15
“… make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
Verses about God Helping You as You Work Hard
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” – Psalm 90:17
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me…” – Psalm 28:7
“There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the Lord.” – Leviticus 23:3
“… with God all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:26
“… be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” – Ephesians 6:10
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7
3 Biblical Ways to Keep Yourself Motivated
You can keep yourself motivated to work hard in these three ways that are supported by what the Bible says about hard work:
1. Look for God’s work around you, and let that inspire you to answer God’s call to work well yourself. Experiencing the wonder of God working in your life can inspire you to put your God-given abilities to use through your own work. My book Wake Up to Wonder describes research that shows feeling awe can motivate people to use their talents to work hard, especially on creative projects. Encountering wonder helps you recognize that each day is a new opportunity for you to do the good work God has prepared for you to do, using the abilities he has given you to do so.
2. Remind yourself that your service is important. From an eternal perspective, the work you’re doing during your earthly life is more important than it may sometimes appear. Your work is much more than just a way to earn a paycheck; it’s a vital part of fulfilling God’s purpose for your life and serving others who need the contributions that only you can make. Reminding yourself that your work – no matter what type of work it is – is important service can motivate you to give it your best efforts.
3. Ask God for help whenever you need it while you’re working. Praying for the help you need while working connects you with the ultimate source of strength: God. You can always rely on God to help you in some way when you’re trying to faithfully answer his call to work hard. Whether you need guidance, encouragement, help focusing, or something else, ask God for whatever you need and trust that he will meet your needs.
Conclusion
Bible verses about hard work reveal that God works hard, and he expects you to do so too – but you never have to worry about burnout, because God stands ready to meet your needs and give you strength. Working hard is an important way to serve God and others in ways that only you can do. Your work matters, so give it your best!
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Whitney Hopler is the author of the Wake Up to Wonder book and the Wake Up to Wonder blog, which help people thrive through experiencing awe. She leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Whitney has served as a writer, editor, and website developer for leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She has also written the young adult novel Dream Factory. Connect with Whitney on X/Twitter and on Facebook.