Work and Why We Are Here
(The following is the text of the video, “Work and Why We are Here” found HERE.)
Have you ever scratched your head over this puzzling question: Why are we here? Why did God put us in this world? What on earth did he have in mind?
Back in school, our teachers gave us assignments. Write 500 words on photosynthesis. Or answer the quiz questions on page 37. But what about God? Has he given us any assignments?
Yes. And he introduces the first assignment with these two words: SO THAT. When you and I use those words, we do so to explain our purpose. For example, “I bought the car SO THAT I can drive to work.” Or “I go to the gym SO THAT I can get in shape.”
Here’s what God said as he made plans to create us: “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness . . . SO THAT . . . they may rule . . . “ Clearly, God created us to rule. But how does that actually work out?
In his instructions to Adam and Eve in verse 28, God adds the word SUBDUE. “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” Instead of “subdue,” other Bible translations bring out the meaning with other terms.
The New Living Translation says “govern.”
The Contemporary English Version says, “bring it under your control.”
God’s Word Translation says, “be its master.”
The Message says, “take charge!”
After creating earth, God called it “very good.” So why does the earth need to be subdued? Think of the newly created earth as something like a wild stallion—full of great, untapped potential. Once the horse is tamed and trained, it can serve many useful purposes: pulling equipment; carrying heavy loads; providing enjoyment for riders; and so on.
In a similar way, God packed his very good earth with much treasure, with great potential. But unleashing it would take creatures who could unpack it—discover and develop all it had to offer.
Subduing the earth would include planting seeds. Controlling fires. Pruning trees. Milking cows. Mining gold. Teaching children. Spanning rivers. Writing, playing, and singing music—and on and on and on.
In short, God assigned his human creatures as property managers over his real estate. Because he made us in his image, we can communicate with him and manage his earth under his direction.
Subduing, governing, controlling, mastering, and taking charge. How does all this get done? Through WORKING. God himself confirmed that his assignment meant work when, in Genesis 2:15, we read that he “took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to WORK it and take care of it.” Even in this artist’s idea of what the garden looked like, we see fruit to be picked and prepared, trees to be pruned, and soil to till. Have you ever seen a garden left to itself, with no human being tending it?
What, then, have we seen so far in Genesis 1 and 2? The working God and . . . in his image . . . working people. We work because he does. As God’s image-bearers, we—by working—reflect him. We reflect him in at least two ways. First, simply by working, we provide the world with a thumbnail picture—an image of the God who works. By refusing to work, we deprive the world of that reflection of God. Like many paintings, your working portrait will take some explaining. In conversations about work, watch for opportunities to mention that by working you aim to reflect the God who works.
Second, by working you can reflect God’s generosity. As Lester DeKoster put it: “No work? Then nothing else either. Culture and civilization don't just happen. They are made to happen and keep happening by God the Holy Spirit, through our work.” Yes, be generous with the money you earn by working. But the goods or services your work produces are also a means of reflecting the generosity of God.
Why are we here? Many Christians say we are only here to win people to Jesus. They point to what we have called the “Great Commission.” That’s found at the end of Matthew’s gospel, where Jesus says, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” This commission gets enormous emphasis. And it should. But it’s actually our second commission.
God’s first commission, his original assignment, is to rule, subdue, govern, control, master, and take charge of his earth—all of which take WORK. But this first commission gets hushed up. Too many Christians aren’t hearing about that assignment. As a result, few see their daily work as having much if any spiritual value.
Back again to the question we began with. Why are we here? Must we choose between the first and second commissions? Is it either-or? Either rule and subdue the earth or make disciples? Is it the first versus the second?
Actually, the first commission—like a hand—fits together with the second commission—like a glove. Your work puts you into a vital part of your nation—right into its work world, where you are to make disciples by showing and explaining what it means to follow Jesus there.
Can you think of a better reason to get up and go to work?
From Chapter Two:
God the Worker wanted human workers all around his planet to reflect him. People who, in their working, would mirror him to the world.
