What Does The Bible Say About Careers?

Work has always been part of God’s will for man. Initially, God was the first worker. He worked on creation for six days and rested on the seventh (Genesis 1:1-31, 2:1-3). On the sixth day of creation, God made man and put him in the garden of Eden to work and take care of it (Genesis 2:15 And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.). Work back then was not like the kind of work we have now. It probably did not require “sweat, blood, and tears.” When man sinned, we were cursed to a life of hard work (Genesis 3:17-19). Since the fall, work started to grow more complicated and more diverse. Today, people work in different types of careers—from agriculture, science and technology, and engineering to the entertainment industry and many others.

Careers may come in diverse forms but one should consider the moral and spiritual implications in the process of decision-making. Excellence and productivity may be valid points of consideration, but they are not the ultimate purpose of why one should pick a certain career choice over another. Then how should a person choose the kind of career he/she will pursue?

The best way to start is from the two greatest commandments that Jesus teaches us in Matthew 22:37-40:

“[37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

The greatest consideration in finding the right career is if it brings honor and glory to God and does not dishonor, hurt, or bring misery to others. A career that compels a person to sin in the pursuit of greater financial gain or job promotion does not, in any way, demonstrate a love for God or even a love for others. The expression “the end justifies the means” is unbiblical and should never be a defining factor to elevate one’s status in life. The Bible teaches us that whatever we do, we should always do it for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.).

The world always has compelling reasons to convince a person to compromise for the sake of personal gain. These situations may push even the righteous to the brink of desperation, filling them with anxiety about the future or the threat of a present financial struggle, which makes a person think that he/she has no other choice. One would be anxious that if they were to choose conviction over a profitable yet compromising opportunity, it would feel like they were making a grave mistake. Scripture tells us not to be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present our requests to God (Philippians 4:6). God the Father knows what we need, and we are more precious to Him than anything in all creation. He definitely will lovingly provide for all of a person’s needs, including their career (Matthew 6:25-34). Meeting real needs in a sinful way is never justifiable before God. It is a matter of faith in His power and His love for us.

Although, we also have to understand that God does not hate material success in a person’s career. In fact, if you look at the life of Joseph, David, and Daniel, you will find that God promoted them greatly in their careers, as He had promised. God wants His people to be the head, not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13), but we are to be mindful at all times that God and His will should always prevail over our career. We should never forget that He is the source of everything we have (Deuteronomy 8:10-18). He calls us to seek His kingdom and righteousness first, and He will give us everything we need, including success in our careers (Matthew 6:33).

Last, we also have to consider that our career path, even a good one, is to be in line with His will and plan for our lives. Success comes when we commit our works to the Lord (Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.). God rewards those who choose Him over the world and its fleeting desires.

“[26] For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? [27] For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”

(Matthew 16:26-27 KJV)