“We are called to work, not to wealth.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – January 27, 2026
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
Have you noticed a trend in advertisements of late? If it isn’t about getting fit quick, it’s about getting rich quick. We are bombarded with schemes to create an avalanche of wealth with ‘this one simple hack’; and best of all (so these ads promise), you’ll never have to work again! Built into these seductive messages is the belief that work is the enemy that’s keeping us from living our best life, that you deserve to live a life of leisure, pursuing your dreams and goals without the “burden” of work.
But God’s word tells us the opposite message: You were made for work, not wealth.
In Genesis, God gives the first man and woman good work to do: Take the earth and cultivate it; make it bear fruit, not for your personal satisfaction alone, but for the good of all creation. The same commission still applies to us, to tend our patch of God’s good earth diligently, creatively, worshipfully. We can confuse the curse of toil that came after that fall with the blessing of work given when the world was yet in perfect order. Work is neither a curse nor a punishment. It is our inheritance, God’s invitation to his children to enter into his workshop and join him in the good work He’s been doing from the beginning of time. If we evade what we were made for, we will never find fulfilment in life, no matter how much wealth we manage to accrue.
When the world says you deserve to be rich, look to Jesus. He befriended the wealthy and poor alike, but he never knew wealth or comfort in his own life. Nor did he ever shun work. If his is the model of the perfect life, lived as the Maker intended, we have to let go of any pretense that God owes us wealth. In fact, Jesus was once the intended victim of a get-rich-quick advertisement, pitched by the father of lies himself. In the desert, Satan promised him the wealth and splendor of kingdoms in exchange for his worship. Of course, Jesus, himself the architect of the good life, saw through the lie in an instant. His answer can serve us all in moments of temptation: “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” (Matthew 4:10).
Wealth can be a wonderful tool in the hands of the faithful who put it to use for the Kingdom. But we would do well to check our secret aspirations. If get-rich-quick ads begin to tickle your ears (and oh, how very tantalizing they can be!), remember what you were made for. With God’s help, push back against the get-rich-quick fallacy. Work is good. Good harvests come from good work. Wealth can be a blessing, but let us not be deceived: We are not called to wealth. We are called to work. It is by your faithful work – whether you’re a parent, artist, plumber, or whatever vocation God has given you – and not by your wealth that you make the Lord known to a world hungry for fulfilment.
Prayer
Lord, search my heart and clean out any ambitions that go against your design for my life. Help me to joyfully do my work unto you, trusting you all the while to provide for my needs. Amen.
Application
What does your dream life look like? Be honest with the Lord about where you’re discontent and ask him to give you a fresh perspective on the good work he’s given you to do.
Related Reading
Proverbs 13:11, 21:5; Matthew 6:24; 2 Corinthians 9:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:11
Worship Resource
Journey in Christ: Work for the Lord
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