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As a kid, Stephen never understood why his parents required him to work so hard.
Before he could play with his friends, he had to complete a comprehensive list of household chores. The dishes had to be washed, dried and put up. Stephen was required to ensure the house was organized, dusted, vacuumed, swept, and mopped.
During the summer, the grass had to be cut and the hedges trimmed before Stephen could go out with his friends.
In the winter months, he had to cut logs, stack them in an outdoor pile, and fill the indoor storage area to keep the fire going in the fireplace. If a task was half done (a phrase his mother loved to use), she would require him to do the job all over again.
What Stephen was learning at a young age was a work ethic. This was ingrained in him and helped him become successful as he grew older and sought to provide for his own family. As a Christian, a strong work ethic also helped him align with the values of faith.
1st Timothy 5:8 says,” 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]. “He also learned God cares that we do things with the correct motives.
As we navigate this article with you, we will define hard work for you and then explore 37 bible verses about working hard in life.
What Does it Mean to Work Hard?
To work hard means putting great effort and endurance into your work to complete your objectives. This effort could be physical, mental, or emotional. Hard work doesn't always mean putting in long hours.
Still, it does involve maintaining consistency, concentration, focus, and diligence to accomplish tasks. It’s when you keep going despite hardships and don’t give up.
Hard work does many things for us, including:
- Builds character.
- Demonstrates Christ-like character.
- Helps us stay healthy.
- Pays off in the end.
- Makes us more intelligent.
- It is the key to our success.
- We’ll become valued employees.
- Opens many doors for us to grow personally and professionally.
- Builds our self-confidence.
- Inspires those around us.
Hard work and productivity also go hand in hand. This means a lot of planning and organizing goes into your projects. If you're hard-working, you're usually detail-oriented and a “goal-getter.” You have the end result in mind and remain mindful of the benefits your hard work will bring.
Many hard-working individuals show a significant amount of initiative, and they’re valued and trusted by their superiors.
Simply put, hard work is an essential ingredient needed to experience success. It drives us to push past mediocrity and demonstrate a tireless dedication to our craft.
Unfortunately, there are times when we can work hard, but it doesn't seem to be paying off in the time frame we projected. Then, we are flooded with discouragement and the dreadful desire to give up.
We wonder if all the effort was worth it. Yet, we are encouraged in scripture to keep going. Our actions and hard work don't go unnoticed by God and will pay off in the end as we continue to persevere.
37 Bible Verses About Working Hard in Life
1. Acts 20:35
“In everything, I showed you [by example] that by working hard in this way, you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed [and brings greater joy] to give than to receive.”
2. Genesis 2:15
“So, the Lord God took the man [He had made] and settled him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate (work it) and keep it.”
3. 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.”
4. 2nd Timothy 2:6
“The hard-working farmer [who labors to produce crops] ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.”
5. Jeremiah 17:7-8
“Blessed [with spiritual security] is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord and whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord. “For he will be [nourished] like a tree planted by the waters, that spreads out its roots by the river; And will not fear the heat when it comes; but its leaves will be green and moist. And it will not be anxious and concerned in a year of drought nor stop bearing fruit.”
Blessed [with spiritual security] is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord and whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord. “For he will be [nourished] like a tree planted by the waters, that spreads out its roots by the river; And will not fear the heat when it comes; but its leaves will be green and moist. And it will not be anxious and concerned in a year of drought nor stop bearing fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8
6. Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]”
7. Matthew 25:21
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.”
8. 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.”
9. Proverbs 14:14
“The backslider in heart will have his fill with his own [rotten] ways, but a good man will be satisfied with his ways [the godly thought and action which his heart pursues and in which he delights].”
10. Proverbs 10:22
“The blessing of the Lord brings [true] riches, and He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God].”
11. Proverbs 13:11
“Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but he who gathers gradually by [honest] labor will increase [his riches].”
12. Deuteronomy 28:12
“The Lord will open for you His good treasure house, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow.”
13. 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.”
14. Proverbs 16:3
“Commit your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him], and your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].”
15. Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.”
Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.” – Colossians 3:23-24
16. Deuteronomy 15:10
“You shall freely and generously give to him, and your heart shall not be resentful when you give to him, because, for this [generous] thing, the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings.”
17. Proverbs 3:9-10
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your crops (income); Then your barns will be abundantly filled, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”
18. Psalm 128:2
“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.”
19. 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.”
20. Proverbs 21:25
“The desire of the lazy kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.”
21. Proverbs 12:24
“The hand of the diligent will rule, but the negligent and lazy will be put to forced labor.”
22. Proverbs 14:23
“In all labor, there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
23. 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.”
24. Proverbs 10:4
“Poor is he who works with a negligent and idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes him rich.”
25. 1st Timothy 4:10-12
“It is for this that we labor and strive [often called to account] because we have fixed our [confident] hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe [in Him, recognize Him as the Son of God, and accept Him as Savior and Lord]. Keep commanding and teaching these things. Let no one look down on [you because of] your youth but be an example and set a pattern for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in [moral] purity.”
It is for this that we labor and strive [often called to account] because we have fixed our [confident] hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe [in Him, recognize Him as the Son of God, and accept Him as Savior and Lord]. Keep commanding and teaching these things. Let no one look down on [you because of] your youth but be an example and set a pattern for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in [moral] purity.” – 1st Timothy 4:10-12
26. Titus 3:14
“Our people must learn to do good deeds to meet necessary demands [whatever the occasion may require] so that they will not be unproductive.”
27. 2nd Thessalonians 3:10-12
“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. 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]. 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].”
28. 2nd Thessalonians 3:7-8
“For you, yourselves, know how you ought to follow our example because we did not act in an undisciplined or inappropriate manner when we were with you [we were never idle or lazy, nor did we avoid our duties], nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we worked night and day [to pay our own way] so that we would not be a financial burden on any of you [for our support].”
29. 2nd Thessalonians 3:13
“And as for [the rest of] you, believers, do not grow tired or lose heart in doing good [but continue doing what is right without weakening].”
30. 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.”
31. Ephesians 4:28
“The thief [who has become a believer] must no longer steal, but instead he must work hard [making an honest living], producing that which is good with his own hands, so that he will have something to share with those in need.”
32. 1st Thessalonians 5:14
“We [earnestly] urge you, believers, admonish those who are out of line [the undisciplined, the unruly, the disorderly], encourage the timid [who lack spiritual courage], help the [spiritually] weak, be very patient with everyone [always controlling your temper].”
33. Proverbs 28:19
“He who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless people and frivolous pursuits will have plenty of poverty.”
34. Philippians 2:14-15
“Do everything without murmuring or questioning [the providence of God], so that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish in the midst of a [morally] crooked and [spiritually] perverted generation, among whom you are seen as bright lights [beacons shining out clearly] in the world [of darkness].”
Do everything without murmuring or questioning [the providence of God], so that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish in the midst of a [morally] crooked and [spiritually] perverted generation, among whom you are seen as bright lights [beacons shining out clearly] in the world [of darkness].” – Philippians 2:14-15
35. Romans 12:10-11
“Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor; never lagging behind in diligence; aglow in the Spirit, enthusiastically serving the Lord.”
36. 2nd 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].”
37. Ephesians 4:16
“From Him (Christ) the whole body [the church, in all its various parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up in [unselfish] love.”
Final Thoughts on Bible Verses About Working Hard in Life
As you are encouraged to keep at it and not give up on your endeavors, it's also essential to remember, as believers in Christ, that our motives are just as important as the work we do. Matthew 6:1 says, “Be careful not to practice your (works of) righteousness in front of others to be seen (recognized) by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
God values hard work from a place of selflessness and sincerity. Most of all, His desire is for all the work we do to honor Him.
Our temptation may be to work diligently for the self-satisfaction of saying we bought a new house or car or kept up with the Joneses. We may be tempted to say it was through our efforts alone and seek the admiration of our peers for validation.
However, when we work hard with a pure heart, from a place of honoring the Lord first, Psalm 68:19 says, “The Lord daily loads us with benefits…” Regardless of our task, it's important to remember that God rewards the work of our hands.
Our diligence in working hard will reap the great benefits of God’s provision, grace, peace, and many other things that money alone cannot buy.
And if you want more inspirational bible verses, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 27 Bible Verses About Redemption
- 17 Prayers for Forgiveness: Forgive Yourself & Others
- 43 Good Bible Verses About Teamwork & Working Together
