How Then Shall We Work?
The royal we, of course. :)
First, we shall work, and it does matter how we work.
He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good — Romans 2:6-10
So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. — Romans 14:12
Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. — 1 Corinthians 3:12-15
Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. — 1 Corinthians 4:2
Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. — Proverbs 31:31
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. — Proverbs 11:25
And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. — 2 Thessalonians 3:4-5
To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. — Titus 1:15-16
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. — Hebrews 13:16
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. [...] But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. [...] So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. [...] For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. — James 1:22, 25, 2:17, 26
So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. — 2 Corinthians 5:9-10
but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile — 1 Peter 1:15-17
Matthew 7:15-20, Matthew 7:24-27, John 15:1-17, 1 John 2:1-6, 1 John 3:16-24
So, how then?
rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man — Ephesians 6:7
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. — 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. — 1 Corinthians 15:58
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. — Galatians 6:7-10
For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. — 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world — Philippians 2:12-15
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. — Colossians 3:23-24
Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. — Romans 12:11
They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. — 1 Timothy 6:18-19
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, [...] I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. [...] And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. — Titus 3:1, 8, 14
For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. — Hebrews 6:10-12
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us — Hebrews 12:1
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. [...] But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. — James 3:13, 17-18
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. — 2 Peter 1:5-8
No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. — 2 Timothy 2:4-7
What about housework? Even housework?
She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. — Proverbs 31:27
Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. — Titus 2:3-5
So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. — 1 Timothy 5:14
and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you — 1 Thessalonians 4:11
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; — Psalm 128:2-3
An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones. — Proverbs 12:4
(And if a dirty house is not shameful, why are we embarrassed about it?)
Also, there are a multitude of exhortations to hospitality, and how can one show abundant and generous hospitality if the home is not under control and decent?
The end of the matter: Do not be idle, but work hard with the tasks set before you, for doing so is eternally significant.
I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man. — Ecclesiastes 3:10-13
