What Does the Bible Say About Work? 8 Verses and What Each One Means
The main Bible verses about work are Colossians 3:23, Proverbs 16:3, Ecclesiastes 9:10 and Proverbs 14:23. Colossians 3:23 is the most quoted: "whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men". Proverbs 16:3 is about committing your deeds to God before carrying them out. Ecclesiastes 9:10 asks for full effort in whatever your hand finds to do. Proverbs 14:23 contrasts effort with talk: "In all hard work there is profit". This page collects 8 Bible verses about work with the full text, the reference and a one-line explanation for each.
The Bible begins with God working and resting, and treats human work as part of the good life — not as punishment. It speaks of diligence and laziness, of fair wages and employers, of plans committed to God and of weariness. The most quoted advice comes from Colossians: do everything heartily, as for the Lord and not for men — a sentence that changes the meaning of an ordinary Monday. The verses below are for prayer before the shift, for the job search, for the interview, for the heavy week and for the office desk. They do not promise a promotion; they promise meaning, guidance and a harvest in due season for those who do not give up halfway through.
And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
Colossians 3:23Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed.
Proverbs 16:3Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor plan, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going.
Ecclesiastes 9:10In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 14:23For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone is not willing to work, don’t let him eat.”
2 Thessalonians 3:10Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us. Establish the work of our hands for us. Yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalms 90:17He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.
Proverbs 12:11Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season if we don’t give up.
Galatians 6:9
Frequently asked questions
Which verse is good for starting the workday?
Colossians 3:23 ("whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord") and Psalm 90:17 ("establish the work of our hands").
Which verse is for someone looking for a job?
Proverbs 16:3 ("Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed") and Galatians 6:9 ("let's not be weary in doing good").
Does the Bible speak of rest from work?
Yes: the Sabbath is a commandment (Exodus 20:8-10), and Jesus invites the weary to rest (Matthew 11:28). Work without rest is not a biblical virtue.
See also
Scripture text: World English Bible (WEB), public domain. Prayers, introductions and reflections: original text by this site, not affiliated with any denomination. Devotional content; it does not replace medical, psychological or legal advice.