The Holy Bible Verses

50 Bible Verses About Work

Explore Bible verses about work, including Colossians 3:23, to find purpose and joy in daily tasks. Discover how to honor God through your work.

By The Editorial Team

Verses sourced from the World English Bible (public domain). Selection follows our editorial policy. Last reviewed 2026-04-23. See all sources.

Work is depicted in the Bible as a means to serve God and others, emphasizing diligence and integrity. Colossians 3:23 encourages believers to work heartily, as if for the Lord, finding purpose and joy in their tasks. This perspective highlights the importance of honoring God through one's daily labor.

“And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,”
— Colossians 3:23 WEB

The sun rises, illuminating another workday filled with tasks and responsibilities. Whether you’re heading to an office, managing a household, or crafting a project, work is a central part of our lives. The Bible offers rich guidance on how we approach our daily labors. Colossians 3:23 encourages us to “work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” This perspective transforms mundane tasks into meaningful acts of service.

Scripture reveals God’s intention for work. In Exodus 35:32, God grants wisdom and skill for craftsmanship, showing work as a form of creative expression. Meanwhile, Deuteronomy 15:10 reminds us that generosity in work leads to blessings. Work isn’t just about personal gain; it fulfills a greater purpose. These verses invite us to view work as an opportunity to honor God and impact others positively. As we explore these passages, we uncover a divine perspective that can infuse our work with purpose and joy.

50 verses

  1. 1

    “Let heavier work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it; and don’t let them pay any attention to lying words.””

  2. 2

    “and to make skillful works, to work in gold, in silver, in brass,”

  3. 3

    “He has filled them with wisdom of heart, to work all kinds of workmanship, of the engraver, of the skillful workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of those who do any workmanship, and of those who make skillful works.”

  4. 4

    “You shall surely give, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him; because that for this thing Yahweh your God will bless you in all your work, and in all that you put your hand to.”

  5. 5

    “Yahweh your God will make you plenteous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your ground, for good; for Yahweh will again rejoice over you for good, as he rejoiced over your fathers;”

  6. 6

    “In every work that he began in the service of God’s house, in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.”

  7. 7

    “For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.”

  8. 8

    “Also to you, Lord, belongs loving kindness, for you reward every man according to his work.”

  9. 9

    “Let 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.”

  10. 10

    “For you, Yahweh, have made me glad through your work. I will triumph in the works of your hands.”

  11. 11

    “For you will eat the labor of your hands. You will be happy, and it will be well with you.”

  12. 12

    “In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.”

  13. 14

    “For what has a man of all his labor, and of the striving of his heart, in which he labors under the sun?”

  14. 15

    “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor plan, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol,Sheol is the place of the dead. where you are going.”

  15. 16

    “Those who labor in the city, out of all the tribes of Israel, shall cultivate it.”

  16. 17

    “They said therefore to him, “What must we do, that we may work the works of God?””

  17. 18

    “I must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work.”

  18. 19

    “In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’””

  19. 20

    “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.”

  20. 21

    “not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;”

  21. 22

    “Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.”

  22. 24

    “We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure.”

  23. 25

    “There are various kinds of workings, but the same God, who works all things in all.”

  24. 26

    “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

  25. 27

    “in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness.”

  26. 28

    “For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who doesn’t continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.”Deuteronomy 27:26”

  27. 29

    “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.”

  28. 30

    “for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ;”

  29. 32

    “For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.”

  30. 33

    “holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I didn’t run in vain nor labor in vain.”

  31. 34

    “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

  32. 35

    “that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

  33. 36

    “for which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.”

  34. 37

    “Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him.”

  35. 39

    “remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.”

  36. 40

    “For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the Good News of God.”

  37. 41

    “Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.”

  38. 42

    “For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain.”Deuteronomy 25:4 And, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”Luke 10:7; Leviticus 19:13”

  39. 43

    “But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.”

  40. 44

    “This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men;”

  41. 45

    “For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them.”

  42. 46

    “make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

  43. 47

    “and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control perseverance; and in perseverance godliness;”

  44. 48

    “and in godliness brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love.”

  45. 49

    “Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers.”

  46. 50

    “You have perseverance and have endured for my name’s sake, and have TR adds “have labored and” not grown weary.”

For your week

Reflect

Think about the tasks you do every day. How might viewing them as service to God change your attitude toward them? Let Colossians 3:23 guide your thoughts.

Pray

Heavenly Father, guide us to work with hearts full of purpose. Help us see our tasks as service to You. Fill us with joy and strength. Amen.

Apply

This week, choose one task each day and dedicate it to God. As you work, remind yourself you are serving Him.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about work?

The Bible presents work as an integral part of life. In Genesis, God places Adam in the garden to "work it and keep it" (Genesis 2:15). Work is depicted as a means to serve both God and others. Colossians 3:23 teaches us to work "heartily, as for the Lord." This emphasizes work as a service to God, elevating it beyond mere duty.

How do I honor God at work?

Honoring God at work involves working with integrity and excellence. Colossians 3:23 encourages us to "work heartily, as for the Lord." This means doing our best regardless of who is watching. Ephesians 6:7 advises working "with goodwill as to the Lord and not to man." These verses guide us to infuse our work with intention and respect, reflecting God's character.

Is work a curse or a blessing?

While work can be challenging, the Bible frames it as a blessing. Deuteronomy 30:9 promises that God will "make you plenteous in all the work of your hand." Work is a means through which God provides and blesses us. Although Genesis 3:17-19 describes toil resulting from sin, work itself remains a valuable opportunity for growth and service.

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