Most people spend a large part of their lives working. The Bible does not view work as a curse, but as part of God's original purpose – and it also knows toil, frustration, and the need for rest. Here you will find 20 Bible verses about work.
Work as a Purpose
Work is part of the good creation.
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And God the LORD took man and put him in the Garden of Eden, that he should till it and keep it.
Genesis 2:15Creation
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And whatever you do, whatever words or deeds you do, do it all in the name of the LORD Jesus, and give thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:23-24VolunteeringReward
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And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the LORD Jesus, and give thanks to God the Father through him.
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Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.
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And may the LORD, our God, be gracious to us and prosper the work of our hands; yes, may he prosper the work of our hands!
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Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.
Proverbs 16:3SuccessSchool Enrollment
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For every man who eats and drinks and is in good cheer in all his work, that is a gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 3:13Food
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Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for there is no work or plan or knowledge or wisdom in the grave, where you are going.
Ecclesiastes 9:10Trials
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Where there is work, there is enough; but where there is idle talk, there is want.
Proverbs 14:23Proverbs of Solomon
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If you see a man skillful in his work, he will stand before kings; he will not stand before men of low rank.
Proverbs 22:29
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And when we were among you, we commanded you, saying, “Whoever is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
2 Thessalonians 3:10
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Whoever has stolen shall not steal anymore, but shall work with his hands what is good, that he may have what to give to those who are needy.
Ephesians 4:28
Toil, Stress, and Rest
Verses for hard workdays.
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For what does man get from all his work and the toil of his heart, which he has under the sun? For all his days he will be in pain and sorrow and trouble, so that even at night his heart will not rest. This too is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 2:22-23
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It is in vain that you rise up early and sit up late, and eat your bread with sorrow; for God gives sleep to his friends.
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Come to me, all who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28ExhaustionSabbath
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Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58VolunteeringReward
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But let us do good and not grow weary; for in due season we shall reap without ceasing.
Galatians 6:9VolunteeringExhaustion
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Six days you shall work and do all your work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall not do any work, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your livestock, nor the stranger who is within your gates.
Exodus 20:9-10
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And he spoke to them, saying, “Let us go into the wilderness and rest a while, for many of you go and come and do not have enough time to eat.”
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Do not seek to be rich, and let go of your own little plans.
Proverbs 23:4
Bible texts: Luther Bible 1912 (public domain), carefully adapted to modern spelling.
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This Goes Well Together
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Work in the Bible
Even before the Bible tells the story of the Fall, God gives man a task: He puts him in the Garden of Eden, “that he should till it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). Work is therefore part of the good creation. It is only after the Fall that toil is added – thorns, thistles, sweat. The Bible knows both: the joy of successful work (“that a man may be joyful in his work; for that is his portion,” Ecclesiastes 3:22) and the burden of work that never ends. Paul gives work a new dignity: “And whatever you do, whatever words or deeds you do, do it all from the heart, as to the LORD and not to men” (Colossians 3:23).
Work and Rest
As much as the Bible praises diligence, it also clearly sets boundaries. The Sabbath commandment protects people and animals from endless work (Exodus 20:9-10). “It is in vain that you rise up early and sit up late, and eat your bread with sorrow; for God gives sleep to his friends” (Psalm 127:2). Work is important, but it is not everything. Those who are currently under pressure will find verses about Bible verses for stress and Bible verses for exhaustion, about the day of rest in Bible verses about the Sabbath, and about one's own calling in Bible verses about calling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Bible say about work?
The Bible views work as God's purpose (Genesis 2:15), encourages diligence and care (Colossians 3:23), and at the same time protects rest (Exodus 20:9-10).
Which Bible verse is right for the job?
Colossians 3:23, Psalm 90:17, Proverbs 16:3, and 1 Corinthians 15:58 are often chosen.
