Genesis 2:15
“The LORD God took the man and put him in
the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”
Many people view work as burdensome, even as a curse that came after sin. Some imagine an ideal life as one without labor—with all needs met effortlessly. In that view, work is merely a means of earning money, while worship is a spiritual activity performed at church. Work and worship are then placed in two separate spheres. The Bible, however, offers a very different perspective. Long before humanity fell into sin, God had already given work to Adam. When He placed him in the Garden of Eden, God commanded him to work and keep the garden. This command was given when the world was still perfect—before curse, suffering, and sin existed. Thus, work is not merely a consequence of the fall but part of God’s original design.
The Hebrew word translated “to work” in Genesis 2:15 is ‘avad (עָבַד), which means to work, serve, or labor. From the same root comes ‘avodah (עֲבֹדָה), meaning “work” but also “worship” or “service to God.” For example, in Exodus 12:25 this word is used in connection with the observance of the Passover. This shows that in the biblical worldview work and worship are not separate. Work is a form of service to God when done according to His will.
After the fall, the view of work changed. Work came to be seen mainly as a heavy burden or merely a means of earning a living, while worship was limited to prayer, singing, and attending services. Yet the life of a believer cannot be split into purely spiritual and purely physical parts. All of life belongs to God, including our daily labor. God Himself is a Worker. Genesis opens with the portrait of God creating the heavens and the earth with wisdom, order, and creativity. After creating the world, He did not abandon it but continues to sustain, uphold, and govern the universe. Because humans are made in God’s image, work is part of human identity. Through work, creativity, responsibility, and stewardship, we are called to reflect the character of our Creator.
Through our labor, we are invited to be God’s co-workers in developing the world He has made. God provides the raw materials, and humans are called to process them. Trees become houses, cotton becomes clothing, soil is cultivated into fields, ideas develop into technologies, and knowledge is used to help life flourish. All of this is part of the cultural mandate God gave from the beginning. Work is therefore not only about producing things but about bringing order, beauty, and well-being into the world. Every honest occupation has noble value before God. The farmer who tills the rice field faithfully, the teacher who educates with love, the doctor who cares wholeheartedly for patients, the employee who works with integrity, and the homemaker who manages the household faithfully—all are fulfilling a divine calling when their work honors God.
This awareness changes how we view work. We no longer work solely for salary, position, or human recognition, but to glorify God by being faithful in the tasks entrusted to us. When facing pressure, targets, conflict, exhaustion, and disappointment, we need not lose heart. If work is worship, every challenge becomes an opportunity to grow in patience, honesty, diligence, and faithfulness to God. Scripture also gives hope that work is not only for this present world. In the new heavens and new earth, God’s people will still serve Him and participate in His reign. Creativity, responsibility, and service will continue in eternity. The work we do now trains us for greater faithfulness in God’s kingdom.
Therefore, never despise the work God has entrusted to you. The world may measure work by income or status, but God measures it by faithfulness, integrity, and the heart’s motive. In God’s eyes, even simple tasks can become fragrant worship when done in love and obedience. Today, let us renew our perspective. When we go to the office, teach a class, run a business, farm, trade, care for a home, or perform any work, we are coming to an “altar” where we worship God through faithful labour. Work is not an obstacle to worship; rather, worship is lived out in everyday work.
May we be able to say each day, “Lord, today I work not only for people or to earn an income, but to glorify Your name.” In this way our work becomes a living offering to God and a tangible witness to the world.