a Christian work ethic

The past few weeks I've been putting a good deal of time at the office. I wake up thinking about my ever growing to do list for that day at the office, and even when I get home, I can't help but think of all the irksome, troubling, tiring events that took place that day. Reading A Practical Theology for Women has made me ponder how exactly my faith in Christ should effect my work ethic. I googled "Christian work ethic" not expecting to find much, but instead I found a good deal of articles on the topic, most packed full of Scripture references that have very little to do with work or even ethics in general.

The website allaboutgod.com had several articles on a Christian work ethic. According to one entry,

"Ethics are a collection of values and behaviors people consider moral. Therefore, positive work ethics are the collection of all the values and actions that people feel are appropriate in the work place. A Christian work ethic is one in which work is viewed as a virtuous duty that has been mandated by God both before and after the fall of man. Idleness is viewed as a vice. Because we live in a fallen, sinful world, there will be times that work will involve a degree of strict self-denial. Workers should also receive satisfaction and maintain a spirit of joy. A Christian work ethic requires a commitment to excellence in the task."

There is nothing wrong with this statement. It makes perfect sense. But is it biblical?

The article lists several Scriptures that the author(s) apparently believe backs up the above statement.

Genesis 1:27-30, 2:15-20 - Here the sense of work ethic is derived from God's commission on Adam to name the animals and to cultivate the Garden of Eden. Obviously, God expected Adam to work.

However, I'm surprised the author did not cite Genesis 3:14, where God curses the land and tells Adam that now he will have to toil to live. Personally, I relate my work environment as toil rather than a happy day cultivating a perfect garden (but that might just be the cynic in me).

Exodus 20:8-9 - The article simply references the fourth commandment that states we are to work six days. No implications are made as to how this Scripture affects our work ethic. So to be good Christians, we are to work six days a week?

Leviticus 25:3, 18 - The author cites the levitical code for vineyards, crops, etc. as a reflection of a work ethic, but fails to explain how the code should be applied to our modern day work habits.

Maybe I'm uncreative, but I don't see the connection between tending a vineyard and my job in a 21st century office (other than both require lots of work).

Proverbs 6:6-11 - Warnings against sluggards.

This Scripture actually does tie into the idea of idleness being a vice. However, I noticed that most articles pick one specific proverb as their Scriptural evidence for a work ethic. I think it's shortsighted to pick only one verse out of this book when so much of Proverbs is applicable to the topic. In fact, I would think most of one's Scriptural basis for a work ethic would come from Proverbs, but sadly, it does not seems to be the case in most of the articles I read.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 - The author states that this verse "instructs us to work at whatever our hands find to do".

This statement ignores the second half of the verse which explains why we are to work with all our might: for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom (NIV). The author is applying an idea from a half-finished statement.

Luke 19:11-27 - The parable of the Ten Minas. The article states "Don't miss the part where the man did not put his mina to work. His master took it away and gave it to the man who invested his saying; "everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away."

Maybe it's just me, but I've always taken this parable to reflect spiritual work, not physical work. The minas represented talents/spiritual gifts given by God. Those who did not use their gifts to advance the Kingdom of God would find that what they had would be taken away. Personally, I would never attempt to apply these verse to a work ethic. That simply does not seem to be what Christ is discussing here.

So what is my ultimate conclusion? I don't have one yet. I think I'm too tired from work to come up with one. Besides, it takes me than one article to formulate a decent opinion.