Wisdom for Work

Wisdom for Work

Work is not a punishment for sin—it's a gift from God. Before Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, God gave humanity the privilege of work. Genesis 2 tells us: "The Lord God placed the man in the garden of Eden to tend and watch over it." We are called to serve creation and protect it. God gave us the dignity of partnering with Him in making the world better.

The Purpose of Work

Wisdom is not merely knowing things; it's the ability to live properly. Since we spend more time at work than almost anything else, shouldn't work be one of the best parts of our day? Here's the key question: How can I use my profession as a platform for Jesus?

We're not just improving a garden anymore. We're improving humanity for eternity by using our profession as a platform to profess Jesus. In other words, how can you use your occupation for your preoccupation with Jesus?

Stories from Our Community

Throughout CCV, people are making Jesus famous through their work in creative ways:

Bernie, a business owner, runs a successful crepery and coaches other business owners about spiritual foundations. He chooses to close on Sundays—a costly decision in the restaurant business—so his employees can attend church with him.

Janette, owner of a Chick-fil-A, invites her employees to Bible studies on their available day off, knowing they can't work on Sunday.

Jeremy, a police officer, sees himself as "a pastor of the community," serving as a father figure, disciplinarian, and protector—doing what Jesus would do.

Kevin, a realtor, invites new community members to church and often prays with clients over houses that aren't selling, asking God to bless these homes as places where families can find faith.

Andrew, who works in the supplement and fitness industry, became a strength coach and spiritual coach for a local college football team, bringing dozens of football players to faith through his excellence and witness.

Elliott, a second-grade teacher, volunteers at his church's children's ministry. When his students see him at church on weekends, they ask their parents about attending, creating a natural bridge between school and faith.

These examples show that action is the dominant message for Jesus in the workplace. As Francis of Assisi said: "Preach Jesus always, and when necessary, use words."

Four Keys to Earning a Voice at Work

1. Work on Your Craft, Not Just Your Career

If you're good at what you do, people will listen to you. Be excellent: score more goals if you're an athlete, do better surgery if you're a surgeon, produce quality carpentry if you're a carpenter, avoid mistakes if you're an accountant. Whatever you do, do it with excellence. This means getting there early, doing more reps, staying late—whatever it takes to master your 10,000 hours.

2. Provide Solutions to Problems

Every work environment has challenges. Instead of just pointing out problems—which your boss already knows about—bring one or two potential solutions. Even if they're imperfect ideas, you're showing your boss that you understand their position and difficulty. This makes them glad to see you coming.

3. Act Like an Owner

Treat your workplace as if it's yours. If you see trash, pick it up. If something needs fixing or improving, do it. This ownership mindset gives you influence with people above you, around you, and below you.

4. Coach Colleagues, Don't Criticize Co-Workers

There's a difference between co-workers and colleagues. Co-workers just work adjacent to you; colleagues work with you as a team. Coaches in private, praise in public. If you view those around you as teammates rather than competitors, you'll have influence to make them better.

Understanding Generational Values

Different generations bring different strengths to the workplace:

• Baby Boomers: Strong work ethic, responsibility—the "can-do" people
• Generation X: Work-life balance, adaptability—a biblical virtue of balance
• Millennials: Purpose and security—they bring purpose to work
• Gen Z: Community and inclusivity—they bring community to the workplace
• Gen Alpha (coming): Stewardship and environmental consciousness

Understanding what your generation and your boss's generation value helps you communicate better and earn credibility.

The Story of Corey and Natasha

Corey and Natasha own an all-female fine-line tattoo studio in Old Town Scottsdale. This is one of the least overtly Christian environments imaginable, yet they've made Jesus famous through their work.

When their business contract in Hawaii fell through, they faced a crisis. Moving to Phoenix with new debt, they had to start over. But instead of giving up on their purpose, they rented a chair in an existing shop. Through faithful, excellent work, the owner eventually offered to sell them the business—at a price they could afford.

In an industry with little visible Christian presence, they created a prayer request box at the front of their studio. Anyone entering sees it. They invite clients to Bible studies. They play Christian music. One client, AJ, became their first regular Bible study attendee and was eventually baptized.

Two Principles from Their Story

First: Focus on Purpose, Not Paycheck

Many chase the next raise, overtime, bonus, or promotion. When your career is the center of attention, you get derailed from your purpose. Instead of using skills to make money, use money to open more opportunities for your skills. This is what Corey and Natasha did—they weren't obsessed with profit, but with purpose.

Proverbs 16:9 promises: "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." Jesus's brother James echoed this: "Look here. You who say, 'Today or tomorrow, we're going to go to a certain town. We'll stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.' How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like that of a morning fog. It's here a little while and then it's gone. What you ought to say is if the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that."

Second: Plan with a Pencil, Give God the Eraser

Corey and Natasha had plans when they moved from Hawaii to Phoenix. But they held those plans loosely, remaining open to God's direction. When the building didn't work out, there was no anger or frustration—just willingness to follow God's leading. This is the attitude of someone who truly trusts that God's purpose will stand.

Your Starting Kit

The next time you go to work, sit down at your first task, and pray this prayer:

"Lord, give me the wisdom and skill to accomplish this task with excellence. I commit it to you and ask for this one reward: show me how this success could bring you glory."

It's fair to ask God for a reward for your work. But the greatest reward is seeing how your excellence points people toward Jesus.

Bezaleel, in the Old Testament, was given spiritual gifts—but they were gifts for craftsmanship: woodwork, metalwork, fabric design. Most spiritual gifts God gives us start as natural talents and become spiritual when we give them back to Him.

What has God made you good at? What skill have you honed over time that you could give back to Him and His glory?

If you commit every task to God and ask, "How could I do this for Your glory?" you'll find that your work becomes an opportunity for worship. You'll make Jesus famous where you spend the majority of your time. And that is wisdom for work.