The world today is consumed with optimization and productivity. The sad reality is that the driving force behind this movement is the pursuit of more money. There are apps, planners, seminars, etc., all geared towards making people as productive and subsequently as rich as they can be. Perhaps you have been feeling the pressure from our current culture to hustle harder. Now, to a degree, a desire to work hard is natural for us as humans. God created us to work;it’s ingrained in DNA. Genesis 2:15 says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it” (Gen. 2:15 ESV). The question then is, does this creation mandate compel us to pursue productivity on the consuming level of the current culture? What role does productivity play in the life of a Christian? What is a biblical motivation for our productivity?

Laziness is NOT an Option

I may be opening myself up for criticism by saying this, but by nature, I tend to be pretty lazy. I’m not one of those people who wakes up running, hits a workout on their stationary bike while doing their devotions. I’m not a total couch potato, but I will admit that I tend toward laziness that expresses itself in procrastination (which might be why I’m writing this the morning it goes out). As noted above, we were created to work. A result of the Fall is that work became difficult, but that is not an excuse for our laziness. Solomon put it this way,

6 Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. 7Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, 8 she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. 9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. (Proverbs 6:6 11 ESV)

Solomon points out the hard work of the ant and condemns sluggish behaviour. Laziness is contrary to how God created us. So at the very least, we have to acknowledge that as Christians, our motivation for being productive stems from the biblical condemnation of laziness. 

I would also note that in the Proverb, the ant is described as working hard to satisfy her needs. She prepares her bread and gathers her food. Those are tasks which have a goal of meeting the needs of the ant. The motivation is not to store up an excess; in fact, Scripture condemns that practice (see Luke 12:13-21). The goal of the ants’ productivity is to work hard to meet her basic needs, or as Paul put it, “…If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat (2 Thess. 3:10).” 

Productivity’s Goal is Faithful Service

So, at the very least, we have discovered that Scripture condemns laziness and promotes hard work. The next question we need to address is what is the goal of our productivity? I think the Parable of the Talents offers us some insight into that question. In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the Parable of the Talents. In the parable, the master entrusts three servants with varying amounts of money to take care of in his absence. Upon his return, he evaluates how they did. We are familiar with the story.  The master’s words to the first and second servants give us insight into the goal of our productivity and the motivation behind it. He says, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:23 ESV).”

I suggest that the goal of any biblical attitude for productivity lies in the praise, “you have been faithful.” The goal of the Christian life is faithful service to the Lord Jesus, and therefore, we aim to be productive in pursuing that goal. The world will tell us that we need to pursue a larger bank account, a nicer car, and a bigger house. All of those things are temporary (see Matthew 6). 

Productivity is Motivated by Reward 

The motivation behind our pursuit of faithful service is the praise, “Well done good and faithful servant…I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” In other words, there is a reward for our faithful service. Paul calls it the “crown of righteousness” in 2 Timothy 4:8. Scripture is clear that there is reward in heaven (that’s key) for those who serve the Lord faithfully. 

So if you’re like me, and you need to up your game when it comes to being productive, I hope this serves as an encouragement to you as we strive to faithfully serve our Master until He calls us home. SDG! 

For the Master,

Pastor Matt Shields