35 – Andries - “Can you truly follow God while pursuing a career?”
“Can you truly follow God while pursuing a career?”
Working for God: Finding Purpose in Your Career
Can you truly follow God while pursuing a career? Absolutely! The idea that faith and work are mutually exclusive is a misconception. Most Christians are not called to full-time vocational ministry like pastors or missionaries. Scripture is replete with examples and commands for believers to work diligently with their hands. The apostle Paul himself initially supported his ministry by making tents (Acts 18:3), before he eventually devoted himself exclusively to preaching (Acts 18:5).
Colossians 3:23 (NIV84) instructs us, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." This verse encapsulates the core principle: our work should be an act of worship, done for God's glory, not merely to please our employers or achieve worldly success. Colossians 3:17 also tells us to do "everything in the name of the Lord Jesus."
How do we apply this in practice? First, seek God's guidance in choosing a career path. Pray for wisdom, considering your natural talents and interests, and look for opportunities to use your skills to serve others. Your faith will influence how you work. You'll be honest in your dealings, willing to trust God even when facing challenges, and dependent on Him for blessings and ideas. Your work ethic will reflect your devotion to Him. You'll be known for your integrity and diligence.
Steward your finances wisely, living a simple life, and using any excess to further God's kingdom. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV84) encourages us to "be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age."
Your work should not consume your identity. Keep your heart and mind focused on things above (Colossians 3:2), remembering that your earthly occupation is temporary. By surrendering your career to God, you transform something secular into a spiritual act of service. It becomes sanctified, a testament to your yieldedness to His will. Trust God to provide the connections, resources, and skills you need. He cares more about how you work than what work you do.
