The Bible is filled with scriptures about working hard and being productive and fruitful with our time.
According to the Bible, hard work is an integral part of living a life of faith and a life that is pleasing to God. The Bible encourages us to work hard, for it is through hard work that we can be rewarded and can glorify God.
Let’s explore hard work from a biblical perspective together today.
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What Does the Bible Say About Hard Work
The Bible is clear about the value of hard work. The Proverbs are full of applicable truths about working hard. Proverbs 12:11 reads, “He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless things lacks common sense and good judgment.”
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul’s letters often encourage God’s people to continue working hard and resist the temptation to succumb to laziness.
God blesses those who work hard, but those who take the easy road often suffer the natural consequences.
Scriptures About Working Hard
A few years ago, our family felt led to seek God and establish three biblical core values to direct us. These three values are framed on our kitchen wall, and one of these values is to work hard at all times.
We established this core value based on the following verse:
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as for the Lord and not for men” Colossians 3:23 AMP
Hard work is important, and the Bible has a lot to say about working hard.
We are called to pour our whole hearts into the work God sets before us. The result is blessing and abundance in our lives.
Let’s look at 24 additional Scriptures about working hard.
Proverbs 11:18
The wicked man earns deceptive wages, But he who sows righteousness and lives his life with integrity will have a true reward [that is both permanent and satisfying]. Proverbs 11:18 AMP
This Proverb reminds us to work hard and avoid deception. Hard work—along with righteous living—yields long-term and satisfying rewards.
God calls us to work hard and be honest.
Proverbs 13:4
The soul (appetite) of the lazy person craves and gets nothing [for lethargy overcomes ambition], but the soul (appetite) of the diligent [who works willingly] is rich and abundantly supplied. Proverb 13:4 AMP
This Proverb teaches us that laziness doesn’t yield fruit in our lives. Hard work results in an abundance of God’s provision. When we willingly put forth the diligent effort, God blesses us and meets our needs.
Proverbs 14:23
In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23 AMP
Some of us are good at talking about hard work and dreaming big. Meanwhile, this Proverb reminds us that we must do more than talk. At some point, we need to buckle down and get to work.
Proverbs 21:5
The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance and advantage, But everyone who acts in haste comes surely to poverty. Proverbs 21:5 AMP
This Proverb reminds us that hard work and careful planning go hand-in-hand.
Haste and hurry don’t lead to the results we desire in our lives. Instead, we are called to work hard, plan well, and think through our decisions.
Proverbs 22:29
Do you see a man skillful and experienced in his work? He will stand [in honor] before kings; He will not stand before obscure men. Proverbs 22:29 AMP
When we work hard, other people notice and honor us. We are found in favor with supervisors, bosses, and overseers.
Do you want to move from obscurity to a place of greater influence for God’s kingdom? Work hard, and God will reward you.
Psalm 90:17
And let the [gracious] favor of the Lord our God be on us; Confirm for us the work of our hands—Yes, confirm the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17 AMP
God favors those who work hard, and he confirms the work of their hands. He does this by opening doors of opportunity, advancing us, and allowing our work to bear fruit.
When we work hard on God’s assignments, he confirms the work of our hands by blessing us. This is a place of profound purpose and fulfillment.
Psalm 128:3
For you shall eat the fruit of [the labor of] your hands, You will be happy and blessed and it will be well with you. Psalm 128:3 AMP
This Psalm reminds us that we reap what we sow. If we want plentiful lives, we need to work hard. This results in happiness and blessing.
Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) where you are going. Ecclesiastes 9:10 AMP
We all face the temptation to give less than our best at times. In this Scripture, Solomon reminds us to work with all our might regardless of the form of work set before us.
One day, we will no longer live on this Earth, and our opportunity to glorify God through our human strength will be gone. We are wise to make the most of our days by working hard.
Hosea 10:12
Sow with a view to righteousness [that righteousness, like seed, may germinate]; Reap in accordance with mercy and lovingkindness. Break up your uncultivated ground, For it is time to seek and search diligently for the Lord [and to long for His blessing] Until He comes to rain righteousness and His gift of salvation on you. Hosea 10:12 AMP
The book of Hosea is a powerful illustration of the way God pursues us—even when we are unfaithful to him. This verse reminds us that when we live holy and honorable lives, God blesses us and rains down righteousness and deliverance.
Matthew 5:16
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 AMP
When we think of letting God’s light shine through us, most of us immediately think about sharing the gospel and helping those in need. However, working hard also allows God’s light to shine through us.
When we work hard for the Lord, our God-given talents are put on display. Other people are blessed, and God receives glory.
John 6:27
Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures [and leads] to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you; for God the Father has authorized Him and put His seal on Him. John 6:27 AMP
Jesus calls us to remember that we are not merely working for food that perishes. More importantly, our hard work can yield eternal rewards.
This kind of hard work includes serving others, telling others about Jesus, loving the least of these, and all work that contributes to the welfare of others.
1 Corinthians 10:31
So then, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of [our great] God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 AMP
We are called to do everything to the glory of God. This includes our daily household chores like preparing meals and doing laundry. It includes investing in friendships, raising our children, and working hard at our jobs.
When we work hard, God receives the glory. It’s important to remember that this is God’s calling on our lives.
2 Corinthians 9:6
Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap generously [and be blessed]. 2 Corinthians 9:6 AMP
In this verse, the Apostle Paul reminds the Corinthian believers that a half-hearted effort will yield meager results.
If we want to see God’s abundant provision, hard work is a prerequisite.
Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap. Galatians 6:7 AMP
Again, this verse reminds us that we reap what we sow. When we sow whole-hearted effort, we reap abundant rewards.
Galatians 6:9
Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in. Galatians 6:9 AMP
New endeavors are often exciting at the beginning. However, when the excitement of the new beginning wears off, it’s easy to become discouraged.
This verse reminds us not to grow weary in doing good. We will see good fruit if we keep working hard and do not give up.
Colossians 3:17
Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17 AMP
Regardless of how menial the task might feel, God wants us to do all of our work in the name of the Lord. He wants us to take out the garbage, wash the dishes, and file the reports in his name—remembering that we are working for him.
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error]. 2 Timothy 4:7 AMP
In his second letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul is nearing the end of his life. He writes that he has fought well and finished the race by keeping their faith.
We will all face times in life when we are tempted to take offense toward God or give up the fight for our faith. This verse reminds us to keep fighting until the very end. There is no retirement from serving in the kingdom of God.
Philippians 2:14
Do everything without murmuring or questioning [the providence of God]. Philippians 2:14 AMP
Most of us have grumbled or complained over the nature of hard work. We might grumble when we feel like we are being asked to carry an unfair share of the workload. We might complain because we feel like the work is not yielding fruit.
This verse reminds us not to complain or grumble about the work God places before us. Instead, we are to give thanks and trust that God is moving in his providence.
2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even while we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 AMP
This bold verse reminds us that if we will not work, we cannot automatically assume God will provide for us. God’s provision is conditional. He will always love us, but he will allow us to go without having all of our needs met as a way of teaching us to work hard.
2 Thessalonians 3:11
Indeed, we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined and inappropriate life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies [meddling in other people’s business]. 2 Thessalonians 3:11 AMP
We are to guard ourselves against distractions from our work. It’s easy to get distracted and begin meddling in other people’s business instead of buckling down and focusing on the work God has called us to complete.
Instead of focusing on what others are doing, God calls us to focus on his specific assignments for us.
2 Thessalonians 3:12
Now such people we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work quietly and earn their own food and other necessities [supporting themselves instead of depending on the hospitality of others]. 2 Thessalonians 3:12 AMP
There is a time to depend on others to help meet our needs.
There is also a time to quietly get to work and allow God to supply our needs through the work of our hands. This verse reminds us not to become dependent upon others when we are capable of doing the work ourselves.
1 Timothy 5:8
If anyone fails to provide for his own, and especially for those of his own family, he has denied the faith [by disregarding its precepts] and is worse than an unbeliever [who fulfills his obligation in these matters]. 1 Timothy 5:8 AMP
It’s important to remember to care for the needs of our family members. Some people work hard and give a great deal to global charities or international workers, but they fail to care for their aging parents or relatives.
God calls us to give in many ways, and it’s vital to care for the needs of our own family members.
2 Timothy 2:6
The hard-working farmer [who labors to produce crops] ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. 2 Timothy 2:6 AMP
This verse teaches that those who work hard are to be given their share. People sometimes overlook this principle and take advantage of those who work hard and willingly give to others.
God calls us to give fairly to those who labor hard among us.
Titus 2:7-8
And in all things show yourself to be an example of good works, with purity in doctrine [having the strictest regard for integrity and truth], dignified, sound and beyond reproach in instruction, so that the opponent [of the faith] will be shamed, having nothing bad to say about us. Titus 2:7-8 AMP
Hard work enables us to live above reproach.
Critics are always looking for reasons to scorn believers. If they can put us down by pointing out our lack of effort, they will. By working hard, we leave no room for criticism and reproach.
It’s never too late to commit to becoming a hard worker. Our children need us to teach these principles to them, but it’s important we don’t allow ourselves to succumb to laziness either.
You might not love your job or feel like your daily work makes an impact for the Lord. Never forget that even the most menial work matters to God. He calls us to complete these tasks as if we are directly serving him.
As you begin your work today, imagine you are directly serving Jesus. Imagine the expression on his face as he says, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” This is the ultimate reward of hard work.
