The concept of employment in the Bible is closely tied to the principles of work, stewardship, and service. The Scriptures provide numerous insights into the nature of work and the responsibilities of both employers and employees, emphasizing diligence, integrity, and the ultimate purpose of glorifying God through one's labor.

Biblical Foundation of Work

The Bible begins with God as the ultimate worker, creating the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). Humanity, made in the image of God, is called to participate in this divine activity. Genesis 2:15 states, "Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it." This verse highlights the original purpose of work as a means of stewardship and care for God's creation.

Diligence and Integrity

The Scriptures frequently commend diligence and integrity in work. Proverbs 12:24 states, "The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor." This proverb underscores the value of hard work and the consequences of slothfulness. Similarly, 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 work as service to Christ, thereby infusing it with purpose and integrity.

Employer and Employee Relationships

The Bible addresses the dynamics between employers and employees, advocating for fairness and justice. Ephesians 6:5-9 provides guidance for both parties: "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ... And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him." While the context of slavery differs from modern employment, the principles of mutual respect and accountability remain relevant.

Provision and Contentment

Employment is also seen as a means of provision. 1 Timothy 5:8 emphasizes the responsibility to provide for one's family: "If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." This verse highlights the importance of work in fulfilling familial obligations. Additionally, Philippians 4:11-13 speaks to contentment in all circumstances, reminding believers that their ultimate reliance is on Christ, not their employment status.

Service and Witness

Work is an avenue for service and witness to others. Matthew 5:16 encourages believers, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Through their work, Christians have the opportunity to reflect God's character and share His love with those around them.

In summary, the Bible presents employment as a vital aspect of human life, rooted in the divine mandate to steward creation, characterized by diligence and integrity, and serving as a platform for provision, service, and witness.1. (v. t.) To enclose; to enfold.

2. (v. t.) To use; to have in service; to cause to be engaged in doing something; -- often followed by in, about, on, or upon, and sometimes by to; as: (a) To make use of, as an instrument, a means, a material, etc., for a specific purpose; to apply; as, to employ the pen in writing, bricks in building, words and phrases in speaking; to employ the mind; to employ one's energies.

3. (v. t.) To occupy; as, to employ time in study.

4. (v. t.) To have or keep at work; to give employment or occupation to; to entrust with some duty or behest; as, to employ a hundred workmen; to employ an envoy.

5. (n.) That which engages or occupies a person; fixed or regular service or business; employment.

3180. methodeia -- craft, deceit
... Word Origin from methodeuo (to employ craft) Definition craft, deceit NASB
Word Usage schemes (1), scheming (1). scheming, trickery. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3180.htm - 7k

1247. diakoneo -- to serve, minister
... to serve, minister NASB Word Usage administered (1), administration (1), cared
(1), contributing...support (1), do...the serving (1), employ...in serving (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1247.htm - 9k

5530. chraomai -- to use, make use of
... rather from cheir, to handle); to furnish what is needed; (give an oracle, "graze"
(touch slightly), light upon, etc.), ie (by implication) to employ or (by ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5530.htm - 7k

6440. panim -- face, faces
... etc.) -- + accept, a-(be-)fore(-time), against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, +
because (of), + beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire ...
/hebrew/6440.htm - 8k

6555. parats -- to break through
... away (1), breaks through (2), broke (1), broke down (1), broken (3), broken down
(5), broken through (2), destroyed (1), distributed (1), employ violence (1 ...
/hebrew/6555.htm - 6k

935. bo -- to come in, come, go in, go
... to pass), call, carry, X certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in,
out, upon, to pass), depart, X doubtless again, + eat, + employ, (cause to ...
/hebrew/935.htm - 8k

That we are to Employ in the Practice of Divine Love all the ...
... HOLY LOVE. CHAPTER VI. THAT WE ARE TO EMPLOY IN THE PRACTICE OF DIVINE
LOVE ALL THE OCCASIONS THAT PRESENT THEMSELVES. There are ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter vi that we are.htm

In the Next Place, Speaking of those who Employ the Arts of Magic ...
... Chapter XXXIX. In the next place, speaking of those who employ the arts
of magic and sorcery? In the next place, speaking of those ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxix in the next.htm

The Other Passages of Scripture which they Employ to Defend their ...
... Of Prayer. John Calvin Chapter 25 The other passages of Scripture which
they employ to defend their error are miserably wrested.? ...
/.../of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 25 the other passages.htm

For we Inquire of all those who Employ Such Invocations of God...
... Chapter XXXIV. For we inquire of all those who employ such invocations of
God? For we inquire of all those who employ such invocations ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxiv for we inquire.htm

Enter his Gates with Songs of Joy, with Praises to his Courts ...
... 3 Enter his gates with songs of joy, With praises to his courts repair, And make
it your divine employ To pay your thanks and honours there. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/3 enter his gates with.htm

What Kind of Religion that is which Teaches that Men Ought to ...
... Chapter 18."What Kind of Religion that is Which Teaches that Men Ought to Employ
the Advocacy of Demons in Order to Be Recommended to the Favor of the Good ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 18 what kind of religion.htm

That it is not Lawful for the Well Affected Subjects to Concur in ...
... speak something to this point, That it is as unlawful for the subjects to associate
and join in arms with that party as it is for the parliament to employ them ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section iv that it is.htm

Heaven.
... This love of Christ, if I may so say, will keep the saints in an employ, even when
they are in heaven; though not an employ, that is laborsome, tiresome ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxvii heaven.htm

On the Power of the Church in Delivering Doctrines
... the right of examining and forming a judgment upon doctrines, as to the kind of
spirit by which they have been proposed; in this, also she will employ the rule ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lv on the power.htm

Lutherans in New York.
... Yet, while denying the request of the Lutherans, they, at the same time, urged the
governor to employ mildness and moderate means in dealing with them. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/lutherans in new york.htm

Employ (6 Occurrences)
... on, or upon, and sometimes by to; as: (a) To make use of, as an instrument, a means,
a material, etc., for a specific purpose; to apply; as, to employ the pen ...
/e/employ.htm - 9k

Use (620 Occurrences)
... are in general use. 2. (vt) Occasion or need to employ; necessity; as, to
have no further use for a book. 3. (vt) Yielding of service ...
/u/use.htm - 8k

Lose (59 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) Not to employ; to employ ineffectually; to throw away; to waste; to squander;
as, to lose a day; to lose the benefits of instruction. ...
/l/lose.htm - 24k

Employed (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Employ. Multi-Version Concordance
Employed (8 Occurrences). Matthew 25:16 Without delay ...
/e/employed.htm - 9k

Engage (20 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To gain over; to win and attach; to attract and hold; to draw. 4. (vt) To
employ the attention and efforts of; to occupy; to engross; to draw on. ...
/e/engage.htm - 14k

Apply (19 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular
case; to appropriate; to devote; as, to apply money to the payment of a ...
/a/apply.htm - 13k

Parable (52 Occurrences)
... The Epistles, although they often employ rhetorical allegories and similes, make
absolutely no use of the parable, so common in Christ's pedagogical methods. ...
/p/parable.htm - 38k

Varied (3 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). 1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another,
as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms. (See RSV). ...
/v/varied.htm - 7k

Utensils (72 Occurrences)
... shalt make its pots to cleanse it of the fat, its shovels, and its bowls, and its
forks, and its firepans; for all the utensils thereof thou shalt employ copper ...
/u/utensils.htm - 28k

Occupy (25 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To possess or use the time or capacity of; to engage the service of; to
employ; to busy. 4. (vt) To do business in; to busy one's self with. ...
/o/occupy.htm - 16k

What is a Christian life coach, and is the concept biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Charles Finney? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Qur'an? | GotQuestions.org

Employ: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus