The way we do our work can result in rewards or curses from God. Hard to believe? Well, I’ve got it from a very good source: the prophet Jeremiah, specifically in Jeremiah 31:16 and 48:10.
What does Jeremiah 31:16 teach about work?
Thus says the Lord,
“Restrain your voice from weeping
And your eyes from tears;
For your work will be rewarded,” declares the Lord,
And they will return from the land of the enemy.Jeremiah 31:16
In Jeremiah 31:16, the Lord is speaking to the mothers of Israel whose children have been taken into exile in Babylon. Their “work” is their tears and intercession, and their reward is that their children will one day return from Babylon. However, there is a deeper meaning relevant to the theology of work.
The underlying principle here – that human labor under God’s covenant is meaningful and seen – is a key pillar of a Kingdom theology of work. Rachel’s work (her grief and intercession) is redeemed in restoration, resulting in the world being more conformed more to God’s will.
This same principle is present in the understanding that today labor that is done ethically, excellently, and in accordance with God’s will advances the kingdom of God by manifesting God’s will on earth as it is done in heaven. Matthew 6:10. Such labor is an act of reconciliation of creation to its Creator by those who have been given the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.
Why God curses negligent work (Jeremiah 48:10)
Cursed be the one who does the Lord’s work negligently,
And cursed be the one who restrains his sword from blood.Jeremiah 48:10
In Jeremiah 48:10, the Lord is describing the judgment He is about to bring on Moab through the Babylonians. The “Lord’s work” is the work of judgment carried out with his sword. But as with Jeremiah 31:16, the broader theological principle is equally applicable Christian labor in the Kingdom age.
As I have previously addressed here, there is no such thing as sacred and secular work, only legitimate and illegitimate work. All legitimate work is work that should be performed unto God and is therefore “the Lord’s work.”
Given that our legitimate work advances the kingdom of God, it follows that the quality of that work determines how quickly the Kingdom advances. There is much at stake in labor. I know this may be a shock to many Christians. It’s not something many pastors talk about on Sunday morning.
It shouldn’t be a surprise though. Jesus said to the Father, “I have glorified you on earth by having accomplished the work you gave me to do.” John 17:4. Our work has earthly and eternal consequences. It follows then that doing that work negligently is a serious offense to God.
What about the New Covenant?
Now, I know what you are thinking, “Yeah, but what about the New Covenant? Jesus has set us free from the curse.” We need not worry about offending Reformed Christians, Theonomists, or Catholic by picking a side in this argument because the principle is what matters.
If God was willing to curse certain conduct under the Old Covenant should we dare to engage in it today, even if there is grace available? And if we engage in such conduct because we “know” grace will be available, we should question whether we have been born again. See I John 3:6-10.
Bottom line: do your work ethically, excellently, and wholeheartedly. Seek the reward and avoid the curse. GS
