Bible Verses About Work And Employment

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

Core Bible command about work and eating

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

States work should leave something to share with the needy

For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

Shows apostolic example of laboring night and day

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

Direct apostolic command

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

Diligence versus laziness, general wisdom

The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

Direct Bible proverb favoring diligence over laziness

Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

Direct Bible proverb against idle people suffering hunger

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

Direct Bible proverb against laziness and emptiness

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

Direct Bible proverb that the diligent prosper

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

Short proverb-like warning that slack work destroys

By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

Slothfulness and idleness, useful background

In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.

Craft background from Exodus

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

General exhortation to work heartily, but no Christian-source witness

Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

Bible rest day verse

And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

Apostolic example of hand labor

Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

Apostolic example of manual labor

Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

Commands quiet work and self-support

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

Masters and service; relevant but secondary

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

Servant obedience, not directly about employment ethic

And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.

Craft background from Exodus

Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;

Servant obedience, not directly about employment ethic

The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.

Craftsman example from Isaiah

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

Bible passage about willing hands and textile work

They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.

Background on building labor, not Christian teaching

Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work.

Workmen background from Chronicles

To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,

Artistic work background from Exodus

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

Occupation background from Acts

And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

Tentmaking background from Acts

Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.

Human labor until evening; background only

He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

Labor for oneself, useful but general

Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work:

Bible rest day verse

As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work:

Hired worker imagery, but not a direct command

The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.

Labor of the righteous, general wisdom