What does the Bible say about hard work?
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The Bible calls believers to diligent, faithful labor as service to the Lord, not as a way to earn salvation or prove personal worth. Colossians 3:23 teaches Christians to work wholeheartedly for the Lord, while Proverbs 13:4 and 14:23 commend diligence and warn against empty talk. God supplies strength for every calling through Christ, as Philippians 4:13 affirms, and directs His people to commit their work to Him (Proverbs 16:3). Honest labor provides for needs, serves neighbors, and bears a distinct witness before the world (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12). Even ordinary tasks may glorify God when done thankfully and without grumbling (1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 2:14-15).
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Colossians 3:23
And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,
- Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, But the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.
- Proverbs 14:23
In all hard work there is profit, But the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.
- Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
[10] For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: "If anyone will not work, neither let him eat." [11] For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don't work at all, but are busybodies. [12] Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
- Proverbs 16:3
Commit your deeds to Yahweh, And your plans shall succeed.
- Proverbs 12:24
The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, But laziness ends in slave labor.
- Philippians 2:14-15
[14] Do all things without murmurings and disputes, [15] that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,
- 1 Corinthians 10:31
Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
[11] and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we charged you; [12] that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.
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