In the late 1970s, I was part of a peacekeeping force in Ismailia, Egypt. Our camp was not austere, but some basic amenities were unlike home. Our toilets, for example, were an ancient version of a porta-potty. Yet, despite the searing heat, they did not smell as bad as you’d expect. Each day, an elderly Egyptian gentleman would guide his donkey and honey bucket supplies to the different latrines around the camp for cleaning. By anyone’s definition, it was not a dream job, but he performed his duties seemingly without complaint.
Many assume that work is a product of the fall. Before sin entered the world, humanity was designed to work even in the perfect world. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it”, Genesis 2:15. God created humanity to work from the beginning. Work is a gift from God, not a curse. God told Adam that the ground would be cursed, meaning humanity would no longer have easy access to the provisions they had in the garden. By the sweat of their brow, they would have to work hard to get those provisions. However, we must not forget God still provided the means for Adam and Eve to be successful in their work. They had skills, talents and all the natural resources needed to live in the world, just as He provides us today. Our attitude toward work can be a product of the fall because sin has stained how we view work.
Instead of viewing it as a gift, we may see it as a punishment that is an unfortunate requirement for survival. Ask the average person on the street what work means, and they will answer in some form that it is a means of survival and provision. It’s how you get a comfortable house, a nice car, and daily essentials like food and clothing. When we view work this way, our motivation is misguided, and everything we do suffers.
The apostle Paul writes in Colossians 3:22-24, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.“
We work for God, not to please man. We work because our Creator works, and we’re made in his image to reflect him. Our work ethic should point men to God, not us. Any time we attempt to rob God of his glory; we consequently rob ourselves of joy because we make ourselves slaves to the opinions of humanity. Paul encourages us to work “for the Lord and not for men”. Our motivation to work should reflect God’s character and commands. As bearers of his image, we work because our Creator works. We are created to be overseers of God’s creation and worship God when we choose to do so. When we work to serve God, we are aware He is intimately present with us workers, and we are not alone because we are co-labourers with God.
I do not know what motivated that Egyptian gentleman to clean latrines, but he seemed to reconcile the work conditions with the reality that chores needed to be done by someone. We, however, should be motivated by the truth that we are image bearers created to rule, to partner with God to draw out the earth’s potential and unleash it for human flourishing. We should work in cooperation with God to build a civilization where his people can thrive in his presence.