Career
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Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of a "career" as understood in modern terms is not explicitly addressed. However, the Scriptures provide principles and examples that can guide believers in their professional lives and vocations.

Work as a Divine Mandate

The Bible begins with the account of creation, where God Himself is depicted as a worker. In Genesis 2:15 , it is written, "Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it." This verse indicates that work is part of God's original design for humanity, intended for stewardship and productivity.

Diligence and Excellence

Scripture emphasizes the importance of diligence and excellence in one's work. Proverbs 22:29 states, "Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men." This highlights the value of skill and dedication, suggesting that such qualities can lead to recognition and advancement.

Work as Service to God

The New Testament further develops the idea of work as a form of service to God. Colossians 3:23-24 instructs, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." This passage encourages believers to view their careers as opportunities to serve Christ, regardless of the nature of their work.

Integrity and Honesty

Integrity and honesty are crucial in any career, as reflected in biblical teachings. Proverbs 11:1 declares, "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight." This principle underscores the importance of ethical conduct in professional dealings.

Balancing Work and Rest

The Bible also addresses the balance between work and rest. The Fourth Commandment, found in Exodus 20:8-10 , instructs, "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." This commandment highlights the need for regular rest and spiritual renewal, which is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Vocation and Calling

The concept of vocation, or calling, is significant in understanding a biblical perspective on career. Ephesians 4:1 urges believers to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received." This suggests that one's career should align with God's calling and purpose for their life, integrating faith and work.

Examples of Biblical Figures

Several biblical figures exemplify godly principles in their careers. Joseph, for instance, rose to prominence in Egypt due to his integrity and God-given wisdom (Genesis 41:39-41). Daniel, too, served faithfully in a foreign government, maintaining his commitment to God while excelling in his duties (Daniel 6:3-4).

Conclusion

While the Bible does not provide a detailed blueprint for modern careers, it offers timeless principles that can guide believers in their professional lives. By viewing work as a divine mandate, striving for excellence, maintaining integrity, balancing work and rest, and aligning one's career with God's calling, Christians can honor God in their vocations.
Topical Bible Verses
Exodus 35:2
Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whoever does work therein shall be put to death.
Topicalbible.org

John 6:27
Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give to you: for him has God the Father sealed.
Topicalbible.org

Ruth 2:12
The LORD recompense your work, and a full reward be given you of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you are come to trust.
Topicalbible.org

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) A race course: the ground run over.

2. (n.) A running; full speed; a rapid course.

3. (n.) General course of action or conduct in life, or in a particular part or calling in life, or in some special undertaking; usually applied to course or conduct which is of a public character; as, Washington's career as a soldier.

4. (n.) The flight of a hawk.

5. (v. i.) To move or run rapidly.

Greek
1408. dromos -- a course, race
... a course, race. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: dromos Phonetic
Spelling: (drom'-os) Short Definition: a running, course, career Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1408.htm - 6k

4197. poreia -- a journey
... journey, way. From poreuomai; travel (by land); figuratively (plural) proceedings,
ie Career -- journey(-ing), ways. see GREEK poreuomai. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4197.htm - 6k

898. bathmos -- a step, degree
... bathmos Phonetic Spelling: (bath-mos') Short Definition: a step, a stage, a position
Definition: a step (of a stairway); hence: a stage in a career, a position ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/898.htm - 6k

4752. strateia -- a campaign, expedition, hence warfare
... warfare. From strateuomai; military service, ie (figuratively) the apostolic career
(as one of hardship and danger) -- warfare. see GREEK strateuomai. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4752.htm - 6k

Library

The Career of the Antichrist
... The Career of the Antichrist. ... The career of the Antichrist is divided into two distinct
parts, and there is a clearly defined dividing line between them. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the career of the antichrist.htm

The Revelation and Career of the Anti-Christ.
... Chapter Nine The Worldward Results of the Redeemer's Return 4. The revelation
and career of the Anti-christ. Who is the Anti-christ? ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/4 the revelation and career.htm

Christ's Finished and Unfinished Work
... In the midst of His career He could front His enemies with 'Which of you convinceth
Me of sin?' and no man then, and no man in all the generations that have ...
/.../christs finished and unfinished work.htm

The Preacher as a Christian.
... In the last lecture I spoke of St. Paul as a Man, showing how remarkable were his
endowments and acquirements, and how these told in his apostolic career. ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture vii the preacher as.htm

The Reign of David.
... Christian civilization. The Inspiring Career of David. The ... allowed here.
There are several ways of studying his career. Sometimes ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xi the reign of.htm

The Work Awaiting the Worker
... and was aware that it was to be the mission of his life to preach it to the Gentiles;
but he had still to wait a long time before his peculiar career commenced ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter v the work awaiting.htm

The Universal Magnet
... But then remember that this same expression of my text occurs at a very much earlier
period of our Lord's career, and that if we accept this Gospel of John, at ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the universal magnet.htm

God's Sovereignty.
... action. He will let a man wreck his career, that so through the wreckage
the man may see his own failure, and gladly turn to God. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/gods sovereignty.htm

The Reign of Saul.
... Saul the First King. He began his career under the most auspicious circumstances. ...
In his contest with them Saul had a very successful military career. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter x the reign of.htm

Education, Training, Conduct, and Wisdom of the Great John ...
... He devoted himself to a prudent course of life and to a severe public career, while
he also used a clear diction, united with brilliance in speech. ...
/.../chapter ii education training conduct and.htm

Thesaurus
Career (3 Occurrences)
... part or calling in life, or in some special undertaking; usually applied to course
or conduct which is of a public character; as, Washington's career as a ...
/c/career.htm - 7k

Judaeus
... philosophy, geometry, poetry, music. Enjoying ample means, he was enabled
to devote his career to scholarship. The Alexandrian Jews ...
/j/judaeus.htm - 29k

Great (10383 Occurrences)
... Greeks. As with Frederick the Great, the career of Alexander would have been
impossible had his father been other than he was. Philip ...
/g/great.htm - 35k

Procurator
... fact, the term is so intimately connected with the sphere of official activity of
the Roman knights that the expressions "procuratorial career" and "equestrian ...
/p/procurator.htm - 13k

Philo
... philosophy, geometry, poetry, music. Enjoying ample means, he was enabled
to devote his career to scholarship. The Alexandrian Jews ...
/p/philo.htm - 29k

Simon (75 Occurrences)
... pe'-ter, si'-mon): 1. Name and Early Career 2. First Appearance in Gospel History
3. Life-Story (1) First Period (2) Second Period 4. Character 5. Writings (1 ...
/s/simon.htm - 91k

Lot (145 Occurrences)
... 28 J). II. Career. 1. First ... 30-38). 4. Fourth Period: The fourth period of
Lot's career is of uncertain duration. Upon the destruction ...
/l/lot.htm - 60k

Josephus
... cause with them. The first part of his public career is concerned with
the great struggle that now began. 2. Public Career: When ...
/j/josephus.htm - 13k

Isaiah (64 Occurrences)
... the reigns of Uzziah (or Azariah), Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (1:1). Uzziah reigned
fifty-two years (BC 810-759), and Isaiah must have begun his career a few ...
/i/isaiah.htm - 66k

Flavius
... cause with them. The first part of his public career is concerned with
the great struggle that now began. 2. Public Career: When ...
/f/flavius.htm - 13k

Resources
Can a Christian consider a career in acting / entertainment? | GotQuestions.org

Can a Christian be a model? Is a modeling career something a Christian can consider? | GotQuestions.org

What is biblical homemaking? | GotQuestions.org

Career: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Career (3 Occurrences)

Acts 13:25
But John, towards the end of his career, repeatedly asked the people, "'What do you suppose me to be? I am not the Christ. But there is One coming after me whose sandal I am not worthy to unfasten.'
(WEY)

Galatians 1:13
For you have heard of my early career in Judaism--how I furiously persecuted the Church of God, and made havoc of it;
(WEY)

Revelation 13:5
And there was given to it a mouth, speaking great things and blasphemies; and there was given to it authority to pursue its career forty-two months.
(DBY)

Subtopics

Career

Related Terms

Career (3 Occurrences)

Careful (130 Occurrences)

Cared
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