The works of monks and priests, however holy and arduous they be, do not differ one whit in the sight of God from the works of the rustic laborer in the field or the woman going about her household tasks, but that all works are measured before God by faith alone. ... Indeed, the menial housework of a manservant or maidservant is often more acceptable to God than all the fasting and other works of a monk or priest, because the monk or priest lacks faith.
Martin Luther, The Babylonian Captivity of the Church, 1520.
Luther's critique of Medieval monastic life was radical and transforming. He wrote as an Augustinian monk himself. In other words, he was an insider, offering an insider's critique of a movement that began as a renewal movement, but that had slowly transformed into a movement that promoted false spirituality throughout the culture.
What was so revolutionary about Luther's critique? He reintroduced the idea that all of our life must be lived before the face of a Living God. How often we forget! We often believe our job is what we do to make money, while church and other spiritual activities are when we seek God. Luther calls such a dualism false, treacherous, and dangerous for true spirituality. I believe such dualism is also why Christians make so little impact on our culture!
If all that a believer does grows out of faith and is done for the glory of God, then all dualistic distinctions are demolished. There is no higher/lower, sacred/secular, perfect/permitted, contemplative/active, or first class/second class. Calling is the premise of Christian existence itself. Calling means that everyone, everywhere, and in everything fulfills his or her (secondary) callings in response to God's (primary) calling. For Luther, the peasant and the merchant- for us, the business person, the teacher, the factory worker, and the television anchor- can do God's work (or fail to do it) just as much as the minister and the missionary.
The Call, 34.
I do wish I could convince so many business people, teachers, factory workers, television anchors, ministers and missionaries that this is true!
How you do your work determines the ultimate value of the work. Any occupation that does not directly contradict the revealed will of God as demonstrated in the Word of God is a holy occupation.
What does this mean?
First, there should not be two sets of rules for how you live your life at work and at "holy activities." The same integrity and changed heart that illustrates living in light of God's presence should adorn all of life.
As a student, we should not cheat so we pass and then we can do "God's work." As a business person, we do not cheat others through misleading statements and half truths before we go to our prayer meeting. As a teacher, we do not teach our subjects like God does not exist and then head off to Bible study. As a pastor, we do not run a business that peddles religious truth on the weekends, but treats our employees and our parishioners badly.
Second, we should not neglect nor diminish whatever work we find ourselves doing. If you are a janitor, clean to the best of your ability for Jesus is right beside you. If you are a teacher, do not look forward to retirement when you can really do something worthwhile, but teach each day before the presence of God. If you are a homemaker, rejoice that God has allowed you to clean clothes, wipe bottoms, as well as cook and clean. What you are doing is God's work- at least when you do it in faith!
No job is beneath us and every job/occupation has honor.
What can you do to bring the presence of God more into your labor? Perhaps your workplace does not allow "outward expressions of faith." So what? How can you do your job to illustrate the grace, mercy, and presence of God? How does your heart have to change to make this happen?
May the Lord bless this day of labor!
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