Several verses in Scripture discuss the importance of working hard and choosing not to be lazy. Working hard is a sign of good character in Scripture and important to our witness with others.

The Apostle Paul taught the Christian church this lesson so they would be a good witness to the pagan culture around them. But he expanded the idea of our work to include our entire lives. He said, “Whatever you do, work heartily.” In other words, our witness is as much about the hours we are off work as it is the hours we are at the office. 

Why should we be diligent with both our private and public lives? Because we have the same “boss” whatever we do. When we placed our faith in Christ, we became servants of the Most High God.

When we work hard at our jobs, we earn a paycheck, but when we work hard to glorify God at our jobs, we earn an eternal inheritance as well. When we work hard at our marriages, we gain blessings for this life and for our lives eternal. When we work hard to raise our children to know and love the Lord, we work for our family life on earth, and we work for the opportunity to be together as a family in heaven.

Whatever we do, our highest priority is to do it all for the glory of Jesus, in service to him. Whatever we do, we are serving Christ or something less important. Good advice and careful instruction provide wisdom. Paul taught us good advice in Colossians 3:23–24. He taught us to work hard at everything we do because there is never a moment our lives do not reflect our love and commitment to our Lord.