God has created Christians to live a life that pleases Him, and He has prepared good deeds for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
We must work to provide for ourselves. (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12) Some people, like the elderly or small children, cannot work and need support.
Christians are given gifts for specific work in the Church and society. (Ephesians 4:11-12, Romans 12:4-8)
We are entrusted with talents (gifts and abilities) and must use them wisely. (Matthew 25:14-30)
God told man to subdue the earth and take care of it. (Genesis 1:26-28, 2:15)
Having work can be a sign of God's blessing. Unemployment may be a sign of judgment. (Zechariah 8:9-12)
In Zambia, some workers (like unskilled workers, house servants, and charcoal burners) may not be respected, but the Bible teaches respect for all work.
Jesus was despised in Nazareth because He worked as a carpenter. The Bible commands us to work with our hands and not look down on manual labor. (Ephesians 4:28, 1 Thessalonians 4:11, 2 Thess
The Christian should aim to earn respect, regardless of the job, by working with integrity and a good attitude.
A worker deserves their pay: Workers should be paid fairly for their labor. (Luke 10:7)
In Zambia, wages are set by the government and agreed upon by trade unions. Changes to wages are made by the Public Service Commission, which is appointed by the government.
Christians should stand for fair and just salaries.
Disputes between employers and employees are common. (1 Peter 2:18 and Luke 3:14)
In traditional Zambian society, everyone was expected to work, from childhood to adulthood, with guidance in the early years. As people grew older, they were expected to take on more responsibility. Neglecting work could lead to a lack of food and shelter.
The Bhagavad-Gita (Ch. 3:8) teaches that work is superior to idleness, and without work, even the maintenance of the body is impossible. Work is seen as a source of happiness.
The Quran commands people to work and does not disrespect manual labor. Prophet Muhammad encountered a man who only prayed and relied on others for food. The Prophet said Allah would bless the man’s brothers, who were providing for him.
The Christian attitude to work should include: