17 Apr 2026, 07:04Catherine Anthony Boldeau, BUC Stewardship Director
Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho, It’s Off to Work We Go
God First
“Better to be ordinary and work for a living than act important and starve in the process” (Proverbs 12:9, MSG).
When I was a teenager, the idea of working to survive felt daunting. My ‘princess mentality’ at the age of 13 quietly whispered, “You’re not meant to work, you’re meant to live happily with your black Maserati.”
Although I never shared this with anyone, my parents often reminded me that “if you don’t work, you don’t eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). It did not take long for me to set aside those fanciful dreams and recognise that such expectations belonged more to fairy tales than real life.
Interestingly, as an adult, I now enjoy my work. Activities such as gardening, pottery, and silversmithing bring together the physical and the mental, offering a deep sense of satisfaction.
Of course, there are days when it is tempting to ignore the alarm and stay in bed. Yet this is far from the purposeful life God created us to live.
A God-Given Mandate
God did not create us to be idle. We were designed to engage in meaningful activity. While rest is important, there is also a clear call to be productive.
Scripture shows that work existed before sin. God Himself was the first worker (Genesis 1:1), and humanity was given responsibility to care for creation (Genesis 1:28; 2:15).
Work as an Act of Worship
Excellence in our work is not only stewardship – it is worship.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…” (Colossians 3:23–24).
Even when work feels difficult, it is part of God’s process of shaping our character.
As you navigate busy schedules, be thankful for the gift of work – it provides structure, purpose, and provision.
Prayer
Father,
Thank You for the gift of meaningful labour as part of our stewardship journey.
Help us to approach our work with diligence, gratitude, and a spirit of service.
May everything we do reflect our commitment to You.
Amen.
“Better to be ordinary and work for a living than act important and starve in the process” (Proverbs 12:9, MSG).
When I was a teenager, the idea of working to survive felt daunting. My ‘princess mentality’ at the age of 13 quietly whispered, “You’re not meant to work, you’re meant to live happily with your black Maserati.”
Although I never shared this with anyone, my parents often reminded me that “if you don’t work, you don’t eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). It did not take long for me to set aside those fanciful dreams and recognise that such expectations belonged more to fairy tales than real life.
Interestingly, as an adult, I now enjoy my work. Activities such as gardening, pottery, and silversmithing bring together the physical and the mental, offering a deep sense of satisfaction.
Of course, there are days when it is tempting to ignore the alarm and stay in bed. Yet this is far from the purposeful life God created us to live.
A God-Given Mandate
God did not create us to be idle. We were designed to engage in meaningful activity. While rest is important, there is also a clear call to be productive.
Scripture shows that work existed before sin. God Himself was the first worker (Genesis 1:1), and humanity was given responsibility to care for creation (Genesis 1:28; 2:15).
Work as an Act of Worship
Excellence in our work is not only stewardship – it is worship.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…” (Colossians 3:23–24).
Even when work feels difficult, it is part of God’s process of shaping our character.
As you navigate busy schedules, be thankful for the gift of work – it provides structure, purpose, and provision.
Prayer
Father,
Thank You for the gift of meaningful labour as part of our stewardship journey.
Help us to approach our work with diligence, gratitude, and a spirit of service.
May everything we do reflect our commitment to You.
Amen.
