A lot has been written in the last decade especially about the artificial disconnect, for those who follow Christ, between the sacred and that which is commonly called "secular", and especially between the Monday-through-Friday world of "work" and the weekend world of "worship." The growing swell of Christian thought reminds us that our worship of the Lord must be all-encompassing, not something that is confined to a building for only a few hours a week.
In fact, much has been made of the fact that the Hebrew word avodah (עֲבוֹדָה) can mean work, worship, or service, depending on the context. The encouragement is for Christians to see their work as an important act of worship, not only because of the end product, whatever it may be, but also because the act of working itself is a sacred response to our Creator. And with this, I completely agree!
In fact, much has been made of the fact that the Hebrew word avodah (עֲבוֹדָה) can mean work, worship, or service, depending on the context. The encouragement is for Christians to see their work as an important act of worship, not only because of the end product, whatever it may be, but also because the act of working itself is a sacred response to our Creator. And with this, I completely agree!
Are worship and work the same?
At the same time, I believe that simply saying “work is worship” is an oversimplification that risks confusion for the reader. The fact that a single word can be understood in different ways depending on the context does not in and of itself mean that those meanings are interchangeable in every context. For example, Genesis 2:5 says “and there was no man to work (avodah) the ground.” Clearly, in this case, avodah cannot mean "worship", as man was not supposed to worship the ground. In the same way, Exodus 8:1 says, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may worship (avodah) me.’” Again, we are clearly meant to worship God, not "work" God. The meanings of avodah in these verses cannot be interchanged. Work is not worship and worship is not work in these examples.
At least one writer, however, suggests that the fact that the same word is used for both suggests that "Avodah reveals that our labor can be a form of worship." He and others point out the necessity of leading an integrated life in which our so-called "secular" work is seen as a means to serving and loving others, and a way of loving and serving the Lord, as well - and this idea of having every part of our life focused on serving the Lord and bringing Him glory is certainly in line with the Scriptures. In 1 Corinthian 10:31, Paul writes, “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” In Matthew 22:37, Jesus says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."
At least one writer, however, suggests that the fact that the same word is used for both suggests that "Avodah reveals that our labor can be a form of worship." He and others point out the necessity of leading an integrated life in which our so-called "secular" work is seen as a means to serving and loving others, and a way of loving and serving the Lord, as well - and this idea of having every part of our life focused on serving the Lord and bringing Him glory is certainly in line with the Scriptures. In 1 Corinthian 10:31, Paul writes, “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” In Matthew 22:37, Jesus says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."
What interferes with work being worshipful?
I would argue, then, that the idea that our work should bring glory to God is consistent with the Scriptures, and to reflect on that will bring us a step closer to an integrated life, more similar to the Hebrew mindset in which one's faith is an entire way of life. All of that is good!
At the same time, not every act of work can or should be seen as an appropriate act of worship. I believe three things can interfere with "work" legitimately being an act of "worship".
First, if the work results in sinful activity, it is not something that glorifies God. Extreme examples of this might be a terrorist whose "work" results in the deaths of innocent people, or of someone whose "work" involves exploitation of others.
Second, if the way the "work" is done is sinful or contrary to God's revealed will, then I don't believe such "work" is "worshipful". This is where we must decide day by day how to apply biblical principles to our work - how we prioritize things, how we treat the people with whom our work brings us into contact, how we apply values of honesty and integrity and lawfulness to our business decisions.
Third, if the "work" displaces or distracts from worship, then I don't believe it is "worshipful". I believe this is part of what we see in Matthew 21:12-13 when Jesus drove the moneychangers from the Temple. Those "working", supposedly to enable worship, were instead distracting from the atmosphere of worship, and in the area meant for Gentiles to draw close to the God of Israel, they were focused on their own desire to make money. Jesus makes it clear that was not the intention of the Temple.
At the same time, not every act of work can or should be seen as an appropriate act of worship. I believe three things can interfere with "work" legitimately being an act of "worship".
First, if the work results in sinful activity, it is not something that glorifies God. Extreme examples of this might be a terrorist whose "work" results in the deaths of innocent people, or of someone whose "work" involves exploitation of others.
Second, if the way the "work" is done is sinful or contrary to God's revealed will, then I don't believe such "work" is "worshipful". This is where we must decide day by day how to apply biblical principles to our work - how we prioritize things, how we treat the people with whom our work brings us into contact, how we apply values of honesty and integrity and lawfulness to our business decisions.
Third, if the "work" displaces or distracts from worship, then I don't believe it is "worshipful". I believe this is part of what we see in Matthew 21:12-13 when Jesus drove the moneychangers from the Temple. Those "working", supposedly to enable worship, were instead distracting from the atmosphere of worship, and in the area meant for Gentiles to draw close to the God of Israel, they were focused on their own desire to make money. Jesus makes it clear that was not the intention of the Temple.
What does worshipful work not entitle us to?
Most work, of course, both the end and the means, can legitimately done to the glory of God! And that is wonderful! But in the US system, that does not mean that our worshipful work entitles us as individual workers or business owners to benefits reserved for organizations with religious (and other) purposes recognized as worthy of exemption from income or property taxes.
A bricklayer building a church for God's glory is not allowed to be personally exempt from paying taxes on the income he earns for that work. A piano teacher helping her students learn music that praises God is not able to get a property tax exemption on the room in her home where she gives lessons.
A Christian-owned fast-food establishment is not eligible for 501c3 status just because the owner loves Jesus. A private, Christian-owned tutoring business generally cannot begin holding classes in places such as a public library or the YMCA or a church facility - places that are reserved for community or nonprofit use - lest the property tax exemption of that place be impacted.
For the most part, that should not matter to us. If we are following the Lord, if we desire our work to be an act of worship, then our focus will be on bringing Him the glory, regardless of what it costs us. We will to go to all lengths necessary to honor Him by following our local and federal laws, by loving our neighbor as ourselves, and by holding ourselves to the highest standard of biblical integrity - because it is indeed the Lord we are serving (Colossians 3:23-24) and representing, every day of the week.
A bricklayer building a church for God's glory is not allowed to be personally exempt from paying taxes on the income he earns for that work. A piano teacher helping her students learn music that praises God is not able to get a property tax exemption on the room in her home where she gives lessons.
A Christian-owned fast-food establishment is not eligible for 501c3 status just because the owner loves Jesus. A private, Christian-owned tutoring business generally cannot begin holding classes in places such as a public library or the YMCA or a church facility - places that are reserved for community or nonprofit use - lest the property tax exemption of that place be impacted.
For the most part, that should not matter to us. If we are following the Lord, if we desire our work to be an act of worship, then our focus will be on bringing Him the glory, regardless of what it costs us. We will to go to all lengths necessary to honor Him by following our local and federal laws, by loving our neighbor as ourselves, and by holding ourselves to the highest standard of biblical integrity - because it is indeed the Lord we are serving (Colossians 3:23-24) and representing, every day of the week.
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