If we look at the account of creation in Genesis 2:1 – 3, 15 we can understand God’s satisfaction with his work and his creation. God then puts man in the garden to work the land.
We are creative because we are made in His likeness, in His image and God is the creator of all things. God worked and found joy in His creation. Therefore, as unique creations, we are creative beings. We are creative and we can be pleased with work that reflects the image of our creator and gives credit to His work in us and through us.
Purpose in Work
In this way, God gives work purpose in our life. Even before the fall, in the state of perfection that God had created, God put man in the garden to work the land. We therefore, have the privilege and the necessity to work. This is a big part of our calling in life, to work. And to be joyful in our work.
Work Being Good is Uniquely Biblical
The idea that work is good is a uniquely biblical origin story. God himself worked and called it good. No other religions or cultures can claim this, that the earth came about and was created with joy from God. Many look at work as a necessary evil, something to be avoided as much as possible. It is not. Work is good.
Work and Rest Rhythms
Then, he stopped on the seventh day to rest. God has this rhythm of work and rest that we still abide by today. We need rest and we need to reflect on the work we have done.
Sin Enters the Working World
No doubt, sin entered the world and made work more complex and more difficult. But, the origin of work is that we are creative and created by God to do good work. Good work is what we are after and we are to wrestle with the delivery of good work by faith knowing that we are called to do it and have purpose in it.
Rom 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
For Those who Love God
This is a distinct privilege for those that know and love God, that work gives us purpose and meaning. We can be sure of God’s ways in the midst of our work as we give credit to Him as the author of our faith and our work. We can know that God works in the activities that we do and makes them matter. We seek greater and greater humility and dependence on God in our work and entrust the end results to God, the creative fruits or outcomes of our labor. They are for God and for His good and our good.