A Christian Perspective on Working in College

Pick it Up:

Many college students juggle classes, club involvement, social lives, dating, and part-time or even full-time jobs—all at the same time. On top of that, living in America comes with a high price tag. Let’s be honest, everything seems to be getting more and more expensive. Rent, groceries, tuition—you need money for all of it.

As Christians, we’re called to develop a healthy relationship with money without letting it become an idol. Because of this, some of us might feel tempted to avoid work altogether in order to keep our hearts “pure.” However, we often forget a crucial truth: God designed us to work. In Genesis 2:15, we read, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” From the beginning, work was part of God’s good design.

God didn’t create us to be lazy. Instead, He calls us to embrace a strong work ethic. Not only that, but He wants us to view our money as a tool for His Kingdom and our jobs as mission fields. By working diligently, you can reflect Christ in the way you show up, serve, and lead in your workplace.

& Preach:

What’s the importance of working?

• Working helps us to fight the sinful desire of laziness
  • The devil wants us to be lazy but God doesn’t desire that for us.
• Working helps us to be obedient to God’s design
  • This doesn’t mean you have to work a typical job. Being in school is a form of work as well!
• Working brings opportunities to meet so many people
  • We can make new friends and we can help introduce people to the love of Jesus.

How can you represent Jesus at work?

• Recognize the weight of representing Jesus
  • We must realize how important it is for us to represent the Lord well in our workplaces. Ask God to help your heart to care deeply about your co-workers and customers.
• Be apart of a community that you can invite others into
  • If you don’t attend church and/or a campus ministry, it’s hard to invite people to spend time in God’s presence with you. One of the best ways you can represent Jesus is by inviting people to spend time with Him, with you.
• Do your work for the Lord
  • It’s easy to just go through the motions but you should care about the opportunities that the Lord has given you to represent Him well. Put your best effort in what you do.
• Care about your co-workers
  • Jesus loved everyone He interacted with, we’re called to do the same. Love your neighbors.
• Pray for opportunities to share the Gospel and step out in faith
  • Ask the Lord for opportunities to share your faith with co-workers and/or customers. He will provide those opportunities but you have to step out in faith and use them.

If you’re interested in learning more tips and hearing more of an explanation on this topic, check out our podcast!

Podcast:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5k1bVFAUPGYH1uG2NskTx3

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/part-time-work-full-time-christian-a-christian/id1778314831?i=1000679774483