Scripture frames work as service unto the Lord: do it heartily as to the Lord (Colossians 3:23), do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31), and labor with fervency of spirit (Romans 12:11). Masters and tasks are temporary; the inheritance comes from the Lord (Colossians 3:24).
Work in the Bible is more than a paycheck—it is calling, integrity, and labor offered to God in the ordinary workplace. These twelve King James passages focus on vocation and how you serve on the job—distinct from our page on diligence and working hard, which stresses industry and profit.
Work as unto the Lord
1. Colossians 3:23
"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;"
Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. Your real audience at work is God—even in ordinary tasks.
2. Colossians 3:24
"Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ."
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Earthly bosses do not own the final reward.
3. 1 Corinthians 10:31
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Work joins meals and every ordinary act under God's glory.
4. Romans 12:11
"Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;"
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord. Zeal at work is paired with serving the Lord, not empty hustle.
Serving well where you are
5. Ephesians 6:5-8
"Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free."
Servants are to obey earthly masters with sincerity as unto Christ, knowing that whatsoever good anyone does, the same shall they receive of the Lord.
6. Titus 2:9-10
"Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things."
Servants are exhorted to please masters well, not answering again, not purloining—showing all good fidelity so that they adorn the doctrine of God.
7. Nehemiah 4:6
"So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work."
So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. Shared purpose fuels workplace progress.
8. Exodus 20:9
"Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:"
Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work. Labor has a God-given place in the week's rhythm—alongside rest.
Provision and God's blessing on labor
9. 1 Timothy 5:8
"But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."
If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith. Honest work serves family provision.
10. Ecclesiastes 3:13
"And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God."
Every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour—it is the gift of God. Work's fruit can be received with gratitude.
11. Psalms 90:17
"And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it."
Let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us. We ask God to establish what our hands do.
12. Deuteronomy 8:18
"But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day."
Thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth. Success at work is not self-made; power to earn is from God.
A short prayer
Lord Jesus, I offer today's work to You. Make me faithful where I serve, fervent in spirit, and honest in every task. Establish the work of my hands, and let my labor glorify You. Amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
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Frequently asked questions
What Bible verse is good for work?
Colossians 3:23 (do it heartily as to the Lord), 1 Corinthians 10:31 (do all to the glory of God), and Romans 12:11 are among the most shared for the workplace.
Where does the Bible say do all to 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."
How is this different from verses about working hard?
This page focuses on calling and serving God in the workplace. Our working-hard page emphasizes diligence, industry, and profit from labor.
Does the Bible value ordinary jobs?
Yes—garden work before the fall (Genesis 2:15), six days of labour (Exodus 20:9), and "whatsoever ye do" unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23) honor ordinary labor.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses for working hard · Bible verses about money · Bible verses about strength · Bible verses about patience · Bible verses about humility
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