Work and Provision in the Bible

The Bible presents work as an integral aspect of human existence and divine provision, established from creation and continuing through the fall and into the New Testament era. Before the fall, humanity was given the task of cultivating the earth, indicating that work was part of God's original design for mankind ^[5]. This is seen in Genesis 2:15, where Adam is placed in the Garden of Eden "to work it and take care of it."

After the fall, work became laborious due to the curse on the earth (Genesis 3:17-19), yet it remained a human calling (Genesis 3:23) ^[5]. The cultivation of the earth, or agriculture, is depicted as contributing to the support of all people (Ecclesiastes 5:9) ^[5]. The Bible emphasizes that God's providence is to be acknowledged in the produce of agriculture (Jeremiah 5:24; Hosea 2:8) ^[5]. This highlights a key theme: while humans work, God is the ultimate provider. Bread, for instance, is described as given by God (Ruth 1:6; Matthew 6:11) and yielded by the earth (Job 28:5; Isaiah 55:10) ^[3].

Diligence in work is consistently encouraged throughout Scripture. Proverbs 12:11 states that "Whoever works his land will have abundant food," and Proverbs 28:19 adds, "Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have poverty in plenty." Such diligence is often recompensed ^[5]. The New Testament reinforces this principle, with Paul stating, "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10). This verse implies that work is the appropriate means to earn a living, and it absolves the church of responsibility for those who refuse to work ^[9].

God's providence extends to preserving and providing for all creation (Psalm 145:9; Matthew 10:29), including special care for believers (Psalm 37:28; Matthew 10:30) ^[6]. This divine care is not passive; God actively works in the world. For example, God "works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). This suggests that human effort in "working out" salvation is empowered by God's prior and ongoing work within believers ^[8].

The concept of "good works" is also prominent. These are not a means to salvation but rather the result of a new creation in Christ. Ephesians 2:10 states that believers are "his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" ^[10]. These good works are described as "fruits of righteousness" (Philippians 1:11) and "works and labours of love" (Hebrews 6:10) ^[1]. They are performed through Christ and bring glory and praise to God (Philippians 1:11) ^[1].

The Bible also illustrates God's work in judgment and deliverance. When God acts to punish the ungodly, his "work" becomes visible, demonstrating his authority and power in governing the world ^[7]. Conversely, God's work can also involve delivering his people from adversaries, as seen in Job 5:12, where God "frustrates the devices of the crafty" ^[2]. The restoration of Job's fortunes after his trials, where the Lord "restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends, and the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before," further illustrates God's providential work in reversing adversity ^[4].

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Works, Good — Christ, an example of -- Joh 10:32; Ac 10:38. Called Good fruits. -- Jas 3:17. Fruits meet for repentance. -- Mt 3:8. Fruits of righteousness. -- Php 1:11. Works and labours of love. -- Heb 6:10. Are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God -- Php 1:11. They alone, who abide in Christ can perform -- Joh 15:4,5. Wrought by God in us -- Isa 26:12; Php 2:13. The Scripture designed to lead us to -- 2Ti 3:16,17; Jas 1:25. To be performed in Christ's name -- Col 3:17. Heavenly wisdom is full of -- Jas 3:17. Justification unattainable by -- Ro 3:20; Ga 2”
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Job 5:12 cross-references: Genesis 31:22, 1 Samuel 23:13, 2 Samuel 11:9, 2 Samuel 17:14, 2 Kings 6:9, Nehemiah 4:9, Nehemiah 4:15, Job 12:16, Psalms 21:11, Psalms 33:10, Psalms 37:17, Proverbs 21:30, Proverbs 22:12, Isaiah 8:10, Isaiah 19:3, Isaiah 37:36, Isaiah 44:25, Jeremiah 49:7, Acts 12:11, Acts 23:12”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Bread — Given by God -- Ru 1:6; Mt 6:11. Yielded by the earth -- Job 28:5; Isa 55:10. Made of Wheat. -- Ex 29:2; Ps 81:16. Barley. -- Jdj 7:13; Joh 6:9. Beans, millet, &c. -- Eze 4:9. Manna (in the wilderness). -- Nu 11:8. Corn ground for making -- Isa 28:28. Was kneaded -- Ge 18:6; Jer 7:18; Ho 7:4. Troughs used for kneading -- Ex 12:34. Usually leavened -- Le 23:17; Mt 13:33. Sometimes unleavened -- Ex 12:18; 1Co 5:8. Was formed into Loaves. -- 1Sa 10:3,4; Mt 14:17. Cakes. -- 2Sa 6:19; 1Ki 17:13. Wafers. -- Ex 16:31; 29:23. Was baked On hearths. -- Ge 18:6. On coal”
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Job 42:10 cross-references: Genesis 20:17, Exodus 17:4, Numbers 12:2, Numbers 12:13, Numbers 14:1, Numbers 14:10, Numbers 14:13, Numbers 16:21, Numbers 16:46, Deuteronomy 8:18, Deuteronomy 9:20, Deuteronomy 30:3, 1 Samuel 2:7, 2 Chronicles 25:9, Job 1:3, Job 5:18, Job 8:6, Job 8:7, Job 22:24, Psalms 14:7, Psalms 53:6, Psalms 85:1, Psalms 126:1, Psalms 126:4, Proverbs 22:4, Isaiah 40:2, Isaiah 61:7, Haggai 2:8, Luke 16:27, Acts 7:50, Acts 7:60”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Agriculture or Husbandry — The cultivation of the earth -- Ge 3:23. The occupation of man before the fall -- Ge 2:15. Rendered laborious by the curse on the earth -- Ge 3:17-19. Man doomed to labour in, after the fall -- Ge 3:23. Contributes to the support of all -- Ec 5:9. The providence of God to be acknowledged in the produce of -- Jer 5:24; Ho 2:8. Requires Wisdom. -- Isa 28:26. Diligence. -- Pr 27:23-27; Ec 11:6. Toil. -- 2Ti 2:6. Patience in waiting. -- Jas 5:7. Diligence in, abundantly recompensed -- Pr 12:11; 13:23; 28:19; Heb 6:7. Persons engaged in, called ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Providence of God, The — Is his care over his works -- Ps 145:9. Is exercised in Preserving his creatures. -- Ne 9:6; Ps 36:6; Mt 10:29. Providing for his creatures. -- Ps 104:27,28; 136:25; 147:9; Mt 6:26. The special preservation of saints. -- Ps 37:28; 91:11; Mt 10:30. Prospering saints. -- Ge 24:48,56. Protecting saints. -- Ps 91:4; 140:7. Delivering saints. -- Ps 91:3; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 63:12. Bringing His words to pass. -- Nu 26:65; Jos 21:45; Lu 21:32,33. Ordering the ways of men. -- Pr 16:9; 19”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 11.27: appears to be doing nothing when he does not punish the crimes of the ungodly; but when he rises up to execute judgment , and inflicts punishment, his work is then seen, and becomes visible (as is commonly said) by action; because from the very fact we learn that the world is governed by his authority and power. Work , therefore, is taken specially for judgment ; because by means of it we see that God is by no means unemployed, but performs his office. Now, ungodly men speak of him with reproach and contempt, and at this very day we have abu”
Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 2:13: For--encouragement to work: "For it is God who worketh in you," always present with you, though I be absent. It is not said, "Work out your own salvation, though it is God," &c., but, "because it is God who," &c. The will, and the power to work, being first instalments of His grace, encourage us to make full proof of, and carry out to the end, the "salvation" which He has first "worked," and is still "working in" us, enabling us to "work it out." "Our will does nothing thereunto without grace; but grace is inactive without our will" [ST. BERNARD].”
2 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Thessalonians 3:10: 3:10 Work is the appropriate way to gain a living (see Gen 3:17-19; Ps 128:2; Prov 10:4). Paul absolves the church of the responsibility of feeding other believers who refuse to work.”
Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 2:10: workmanship--literally, "a thing of His making"; "handiwork." Here the spiritual creation, not the physical, is referred to (Eph 2:8-9). created--having been created (Eph 4:24; Psa 102:18; Isa 43:21; Co2 5:5, Co2 5:17). unto good works--"for good works." "Good works" cannot be performed until we are new "created unto" them. Paul never calls the works of the law "good works." We are not saved by, but created unto, good works. before ordained--Greek, "before made ready" (compare Joh 5:36). God marks out for each in His purposes beforehand, the p”

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