Definition and Context
Livelihood refers to the means by which an individual or group sustains life, typically through work or the acquisition of resources necessary for survival. In biblical times, livelihood was often tied to agriculture, fishing, trade, and craftsmanship. The Bible provides numerous insights into the nature of work, the importance of providing for one's family, and the spiritual dimensions of labor.

Biblical References

1. Work as a Divine Ordinance
From the beginning, work is presented as a divine ordinance. In Genesis 2:15, God places Adam in the Garden of Eden "to work it and take care of it." This establishes work as a fundamental aspect of human existence, intended for stewardship and productivity.

2. Provision and Responsibility
The Bible emphasizes the responsibility of providing for one's family. In 1 Timothy 5:8, it is stated, "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 underscores the importance of livelihood in fulfilling familial and social obligations.

3. Diligence and Industry
Proverbs frequently extols the virtues of diligence and hard work. Proverbs 10:4 notes, "Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth." This highlights the biblical principle that industriousness leads to prosperity and stability.

4. Contentment and Trust in God
While the Bible encourages hard work, it also warns against the pursuit of wealth as an end in itself. In Matthew 6:31-33, Jesus teaches, "Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’... But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." This passage emphasizes reliance on God for provision and the prioritization of spiritual over material concerns.

5. Generosity and Sharing
The early Christian community exemplified a model of shared resources and mutual support. Acts 2:44-45 describes how "all the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This reflects the biblical ideal of using one's livelihood to bless others and support the community.

6. Warnings Against Dishonest Gain
The Bible warns against acquiring livelihood through dishonest means. Proverbs 13:11 states, "Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will multiply." This reinforces the ethical dimension of work and the importance of integrity in all economic activities.

Theological Implications

Livelihood in the Bible is not merely a matter of economic survival but is deeply intertwined with spiritual and moral principles. It is seen as a means to fulfill God's mandate for stewardship, to provide for oneself and others, and to live out one's faith in practical ways. The biblical perspective on livelihood encourages a balance between diligent work, ethical conduct, and trust in God's provision, while also fostering a spirit of generosity and community support.1. (n.) Means of subsistence or living; as, to earn a livelihood; as dependent on some means of support; support of life; maintenance.

2. (n.) Liveliness; appearance of life.

979. bios -- life, living
... living. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: bios Phonetic Spelling:
(bee'-os) Short Definition: life, manner of life, livelihood Definition: (a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/979.htm - 7k

4200. porismos -- a providing, a means of gain
... Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: porismos Phonetic Spelling: (por-is-mos')
Short Definition: a source of gain Definition: a source of gain, livelihood. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4200.htm - 6k

Other Arts Made Subservient to Idolatry. Lawful Means of Gaining a ...
... Chapter VIII."Other Arts Made Subservient to Idolatry. Lawful Means of Gaining
a Livelihood Abundant. There are also other species ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter viii other arts made subservient.htm

On the Duty of Working for a Livelihood.
... constitutions of the holy apostles. Book II. Of Bishops, Presbyters, and
Deacons. Sec. VIII."On the Duty of Working for a Livelihood. ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec viii on the duty of.htm

Whether it is Lawful to Give and Receive Money for Spiritual ...
... Reply to Objection 1: As Jerome says in his commentary on Mic.3:9, certain gifts
were freely offered to the good prophets, for their livelihood, but not as a ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 23.htm

A Notice of Aetius, Eunomius' Master in Heresy, and of Eunomius ...
... did not attempt to teach his monstrous doctrines, but only after some interval of
time put forth these novelties as a trick to gain his livelihood; that having ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 6 a notice of.htm

Whether Religious are Bound to Manual Labor?
... without it. Consequently he who has no other means of livelihood is bound
to work with his hands, whatever his condition may be. This ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether religious are bound to.htm

Whether it is Lawful for Religious to Live on Alms?
... For the Apostle (1:Tim.5:16) forbids those widows who have other means of livelihood
to live on the alms of the Church, so that the Church may have "sufficient ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 15.htm

Whether it is Lawful for Religious to Beg?
... says: "He wishes the servants of God to work with the body, so as to gain a livelihood,
and not be compelled by want to ask for necessaries." Now this is to beg ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 16.htm

The Public School and the Boy
... certain related courses of study which will make him a better citizen by fitting
him in a measure for the procuring of an intelligent and adequate livelihood. ...
/.../alexander/the boy and the sunday school/ii the public school and.htm

Restoration of Peter.
... They lack sufficient inward impulse to go and proclaim Christ to men; they have
no plans; the one inevitable thing is that they must earn a livelihood. ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xxv restoration of peter.htm

Whether the Old Law Enjoined Fitting Precepts Concerning Rulers?
... But certain things were allotted as a means of livelihood for the priests and Levites
of the Law: such as the tithes and first-fruits, and many like things. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the old law enjoined.htm

Livelihood (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Means of subsistence or living; as, to earn a livelihood; as dependent
on some means of support; support of life; maintenance. ...
/l/livelihood.htm - 7k

Lively (5 Occurrences)

/l/lively.htm - 13k

Younger (39 Occurrences)
... Luke 15:12 The younger of them said to his father,'Father, give me my share
of your property.' He divided his livelihood between them. ...
/y/younger.htm - 18k

Vagabond (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A wanderer with no fixed dwelling, and usually
without the means of honest livelihood; a vagrant; a tramp. ...
/v/vagabond.htm - 9k

Lived (1214 Occurrences)

/l/lived.htm - 6k

Live (3203 Occurrences)
... or faith. 8. (vi) To be maintained in life; to acquire a livelihood; to
subsist; -- with on or by; as, to live on spoils. 9. (vi ...
/l/live.htm - 8k

Independent (1 Occurrence)
... few men are wholly independent. 2. (a.) Affording a comfortable livelihood;
as, an independent property. 3. (a.) Not subject to ...
/i/independent.htm - 8k

Estate (40 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Luke 15:12 The younger of them said to his father,'Father, give me my share
of your property.' He divided his livelihood between them. (See NAS NIV). ...
/e/estate.htm - 20k

Education (4 Occurrences)
... Their chief interest centered in the flocks and herds from which they gained a
livelihood, and in the simple, useful arts that seem gradually to have become ...
/e/education.htm - 40k

Divided (102 Occurrences)
... Luke 15:12 The younger of them said to his father,'Father, give me my share
of your property.' He divided his livelihood between them. ...
/d/divided.htm - 37k

What is the Noble Eightfold Path? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about covetousness? | GotQuestions.org

What is a biblical theology of work? | GotQuestions.org

Livelihood: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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