Deep Thoughts With Doctor Tanya - Podcast

 The Problem

Our culture places a strong emphasis on individual choice and self-expression. This mindset influences not only how students choose careers, but also how many people view the work they already have. As Christians, how should we approach work differently so that God is honored?

Rather than seeking to discover the kind of work God may be calling them to—based on their interests, abilities, and opportunities—many people today prioritize careers that offer status, recognition, or financial gain.

At the same time, the rise of social media and video games has contributed to a lack of forward thinking among many students. Large amounts of free time are spent on screens, leaving little room to explore interests, develop skills, or consider future vocations. As a result, many young people give little thought to their calling, their gifts, or how God might use their talents for His glory.

I am currently reading Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller, which seeks to recover a biblical view of work. In the introduction, Keller writes:

“A job is a vocation only if someone else calls you to do it and you do it for them rather than for yourself. And so our work can be a calling only if it is reimagined as a mission of service to something beyond merely our own interests. As we shall see, thinking of work mainly as a means of self-fulfillment and self-realization slowly crushes a person and… undermines society itself.”

God's Original Plan

From the very beginning of Scripture, we see that work is part of God’s design for humanity. In Genesis 2:15, before sin entered the world, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”

A few verses later, God says, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him” (Genesis 2:18). Before creating Eve, God gave Adam the task of naming the animals—a responsibility that likely helped Adam recognize his need for a suitable companion.

God then created Eve from Adam’s rib and brought her to him. Adam’s joyful response reflects the goodness of God’s design: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23).

The Consequences of Sin

In Genesis 3, everything changes. Eve is tempted by the serpent, and both she and Adam disobey God by eating the forbidden fruit. As a result, God pronounces consequences on the serpent, the woman, and the man.

The serpent is cursed to crawl on its belly. Eve is told that childbearing will be painful and that there will be tension in her relationship with her husband. Adam is told that the ground itself is cursed because of his sin, and that his work will now involve painful toil: “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food” (Genesis 3:19).

It is important to notice, however, that work itself is not a result of the fall. Adam was given work to do before sin entered the world. What changed after the fall was the difficulty of that work. God created us to work—not to live in constant leisure or distraction.

God's Commandments

To better understand how God intends us to use our time, we can look at the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20. The fourth commandment states:

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy… Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God” (Exodus 20:8–10).

While we often focus on the command to rest on the Sabbath, we sometimes overlook the instruction that precedes it: “Six days you shall labor.” Work is not optional—it is part of God’s rhythm for human life.

Yet this aspect of the command is often ignored. Some people avoid work altogether, while others approach it with minimal effort, rushing through responsibilities just to get to leisure time. Neither attitude reflects God’s design.

The Results of These Misconceptions

When we lose sight of God’s purpose for work, the consequences are significant. God designed us to engage in meaningful labor that contributes to the world around us. When we reject that design, we often experience a loss of purpose and direction.

In schools, for example, students who struggle academically may act out to hide their difficulties. This can set them on a troubling path, sometimes referred to as the “school-to-prison pipeline.” Literacy, in particular, plays a critical role in future opportunities, and many students who fall behind face long-term consequences.

We also see negative outcomes when individuals who are capable of working choose not to. A lack of meaningful activity can lead to feelings of purposelessness, which may contribute to depression, anger, or destructive behaviors.

The old saying, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop,” reflects a real truth: when we have too much unstructured time, we are more vulnerable to harmful choices.

Perhaps the most widespread consequence, however, is a distorted attitude toward work itself. Many people view work as something to endure rather than something to embrace. We find ourselves constantly thinking about what we would rather be doing instead of giving our full attention to the task at hand.

In contrast, I have a friend who, in retirement, dedicates much of her time to volunteering to help improve public schools. She once told me, “I’m going to do something with my time, so it might as well be something meaningful.” This reflects a healthier perspective—one that sees time as an opportunity for purpose rather than mere entertainment.

Another common misconception appears when students choose a college major primarily based on potential income. While financial considerations are not unimportant, they should not be the primary factor. At the same time, it is also wise to pursue a path that develops useful and employable skills - not women’s studies for example. A balanced approach is needed.

What the Bible Says

Scripture consistently affirms the value of work and warns against laziness. Proverbs 6:6–8 encourages us to learn from the ant, which works diligently without supervision, preparing for the future.

In 1 Corinthians 10:31, we are reminded, “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Similarly, Colossians 3:23–24 teaches, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

These verses make it clear that our work matters—not just what we do, but how we do it. We are called to work with diligence, care, and excellence, recognizing that our ultimate service is to God.

Conclusion

God designed us for work. It is not a consequence of sin, but a fundamental part of His original plan for humanity. Although sin has made work more difficult, it has not diminished its purpose.

We need to help both students and adults recover a biblical understanding of work. Instead of constantly seeking comfort, entertainment, or escape, we should pursue meaningful labor that reflects God’s design and contributes to the world around us.

When we embrace this perspective, work becomes more than an obligation—it becomes a calling.

Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.