Devotions/YouVersion – Called To Work

87. What Does the Bible Say About Calling – Direct, Unmistakable Call to Particular Work

May 26, 2026

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-5, Exodus 31:1-6, Acts 13:2

Now that we understand that the ultimate calling in the Bible is the call to follow Jesus, we are ready to explore calling to specific kinds of work.

If by “calling,” we mean a direct, unmistakable command from God to take up a particular task, job, profession or type of work, then calling is very rare in the Bible. No more than a hundred or so people the Bible received an individual call from God to an exact job. God called Noah to build the ark. God called Moses and Aaron to their tasks. He called prophets such as Samuel, Jeremiah and Amos. He called Abram and Sarah and a few others to undertake journeys or to relocate. He placed people in political leadership including Gideon, Saul and David. God chose Bezalel and Oholiab as craftsmen for the tabernacle. Jesus called the apostles and some other of his disciples, and the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul to be missionaries. The word “call” is not always used, but the unmistakable direction of God for a particular person to do a particular job is clear in these cases.

This suggests that a dramatic calling from God is also infrequent today, though it can certainly happen. Moving forward, we’ll instead focus on how God guides or leads people to particular types of work through less obvious means.

Video: Watch the four minute film about “Hunting Creativity” with innovation consultant Barry Saunders. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBJLuHo4_pc

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know that not everyone receives a calling to a specific job. However, I pray that you would open my eyes, ears, heart and spirit to be filled with the knowledge of your will. I pray for wisdom to follow you in the work I am currently doing. Help me to walk in obedience to the things that you show me. Amen.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

86. What Does the Bible Say About Calling – Ask for the Big Picture

May 18, 2026

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:17-20

When we want to know God’s will for our lives, often we’re dealing with very specific issues: where to live, what job to take, whom to marry, where to go to school, and so on. We want to know what God wants us to do in a particular situation, and we want to know it now. To be sure, there are times when God makes his will known without question and in the detail we prefer. But, most of the time, God doesn’t work his way. Rather, discerning God’s specific will for our lives is a matter of wrestling with God in prayer and discovering how his general will ought to be worked out in our lives.

We need to understand what the Lord’s will is, not just in our lives, but in the whole cosmos. Understanding is more than superficial recognition. For example, from Ephesians 1, we know that God’s ultimate purpose is to unite all things in Christ. You and I can easily know this if we read Ephesians 1:9-10. But do we understand it? Does this truth expand our minds and shape our hearts? Does it move us? Does this truth begin to give order to everything else we think and do?

The more we understand, truly and deeply understand, God’s will for the cosmos, the more we internalize God’s will for every individual, the more we grasp his will for the church, the more we will be in a position to discern his specific will for our specific lives. Our story will be shaped by God’s own story, our purpose by his own purpose, our heart by his own heart.

Video: Watch the short video “Does My Career Matter to God?” with author and editor, Andy Crouch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB3SGoRjP9U

Prayer: I pray for myself as Paul prayed in the book of Ephesians. Please give me a spirit of wisdom and revelation so I can get to know you. I pray that my heart would know the hope you’ve called me to, the riches of your glorious inheritance in your people, and the greatness of your power.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

85. What Does the Bible Say About Calling – Your Work Is Not as Important as You Want It to Be

May 11, 2026

Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:13-16

My career, my success, and my productivity are not elements of my primary calling. A Christian’s calling is not a personal one, but a shared calling with other Christians to something very simple and straightforward: love God and love your neighbor.

This is an important counter-cultural message for us today. Our world is increasingly personalized. Email newsletters often include our first names. Facebook and Twitter deliver personalized newsfeeds. Netflix rates movies based on our personal viewing habits. Online campaigns track our behavior and follow us individually with highly targeted advertisements. Amazon recommends products based on our personal preferences and purchase histories. Even the medical community is moving toward personalized medicine, tailored to an individual’s unique genetic code.

Let us not make the same mistake in our faith. Let us not seek personalized theology, tailored to our individual convictions. Let us not seek individualized ecclesiology, tailored to our personal taste. The calling we share is more important than the manifestation of that general calling in any specific context. In short, your calling to Christ must be the First Thing. Everything else in life must serve that one calling.

Video: Watch the short video “Does God Care About the Work We Do?” with Boyd Clarke. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCKbCAEns9E

Prayer: Lord, help me serve my primary calling first of all. Help my actions be consistent with my faith. I thank you for the desire to find meaning and purpose in my daily work, and I thank you also that you have filled me with the high calling to serve Christ in everything.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

84. What Does the Bible Say About Calling – Your High Calling

May 4, 2026

Scripture Reference: Colossians 1:9-10

If God cares about our lives, he must care about our work, unless he ignores one of the biggest parts of our lives. But many practicing Christians wouldn’t say they have a clear sense of God’s calling on their lives.

Is your daily work a high calling? Yes, indeed, because it is one main way you respond to the calling of God. But your work is not your highest calling. The call to any job or workplace should be rooted first in the supreme call to belong to Jesus and participate in God’s redemption of the world.

This is true no matter what your work entails. It’s true if you’re an entrepreneur or a student, a lineworker or a mother, a pastor or a soccer coach. Christ’s redemptive work encompasses everything necessary to make the world what God always intended it to be: full of mercy, love, justice, creativity and provision. Through your work, you are able to respond to the highest calling of your life. And in this response, your work becomes, as the saying goes, a high calling.

Over the course of the next 13 weeks, we’ll examine what the Bible says about discerning calling and give practical tips for exploring your own calling.

Video: Watch the short video “How do work and faith connect?” with author Leigh McLeroy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVdMQSSmoTI

Prayer: Jesus, thank you that you call me to follow you in every area of my life, including work. Thank you for helping me see that everything I do, including my work, can be a response to your calling. May my work be an expression of my gratitude and faithfulness. May I seek to honor you in everything in my work life.

Today, I pray for those who are wondering how they should work, for those looking for a job, for those wondering about a career change. Guide them, Lord, into work that allows them to use their gifts in service to others and to you. Help them to see their work as a high calling, a fitting response to the highest calling of all. Amen.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

83. Finding God in Unemployment – Blessing Others in Hard Times

April 27, 2026

Scripture Reading: Ruth 2:8-23

On the 4th week of this plan, we read part of the story of Ruth. Ruth took a part-time job gleaning (following behind the paid workers and picking up leftover grain) in Boaz’s field. Boaz noticed Ruth, and .

By arranging for Ruth to have a share of the harvest (Ruth 2:16), Boaz essentially added her to his workforce. This experiment had unforeseen consequences for both Boaz and Ruth. They ended up getting married, and their great-grandson was King David, Israel’s greatest king and an ancestor of Jesus.

If you’ve come through a time of unemployment, you may have extra insight into what it might mean to follow Boaz’s example. How might God be leading you to bring his blessing of fruitfulness to other workers and would-be workers? Who is God calling you to help, as Boaz helped Ruth? Are you willing to trust God and provide opportunities for the poor and vulnerable, knowing that you may not be able to imagine the consequences?

Prayer: Lord, show me how I can help others, even now. Help me trust you for the results. Amen.

Further Exploration: Click to listen to Haddon Robinson and Alice Mathews talk about practical ways to help someone dealing with unemployment.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

82. Finding God in Unemployment – Unemployment and Rest

April 20, 2026

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:1-3

Finding a job sometimes seems like a full-time job itself. It’s easy to lose sight of the normal rhythms of everyday life when we are without work and/or looking for work.

Many barriers to rest start in the mind, and that’s very true in a time of unemployment. It is particularly difficult to rest when life’s circumstances create resentment toward others, fear of the myriad things that can go wrong, or anxiety about others’ expectations. Hebrews 12:1-3 reminds believers to let go of the obstacles of the mind and to look instead to Christ, trusting in him for the future.

Imagine looking at your current situation from a distant future time point (also known as a “fast-forward” model of decision making). How would you think about it differently? Does it help to know that your life has eternal significance? Remember that God loved us so much that he was willing to leave the place of perfect rest to enter into the unrest of this world. Christ, the lord of the Sabbath, became incarnate as a man who had “no place to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20) so that his followers could find real rest. He wants that rest for you.

Prayer: Lord, help me to seek my rest in you. Guide me as I find a rhythm of prayer and activity, even in unsettling times. I give praise and glory to you as the one who came to a troubled world for my sake. Let me always rest in your unchanging love. Amen.

Further Exploration: Click to read more about how Christians can experience deeper rest, from the Theology of Work Project

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

81. Finding God in Unemployment – God’s Provision for Those Who Cannot Work

April 13, 2026

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

In the early days of Christianity, the church at Thessalonica wrestled with what to do about those who were unemployed, just as churches sometimes do today. Paul sent them instructions: those who were able to work should do so, but those who were truly unable to work should receive assistance from their brothers and sisters in the church. It is clear that Paul has in mind both that all Christians should work to the degree they are able and that the church should take care of those in genuine need.

For those of us who are not able to work, this passage is a comfort, reminding us that God means to provide for all, even those of us who by reason of age or illness, or for some other reason, cannot work. For those in the church who can work, this passage is a challenge to be charitable to those who cannot.

If the close-knit members of the Thessalonian church had a hard time discerning who among them was worthy to receive financial support, imagine how much more difficult it is in today’s world. We may be on different sides of political debates about how to care for those who can’t work, but we can begin where we are, by getting to know the members of our community and seeing where they are in need.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you desire to provide for all. You even take care of the lilies of the field and the birds of the air. If you are calling me to give, show me where to direct my giving. If you are calling me to receive, help me receive with grace. Amen.

Further Exploration: Click to read more from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary about what Thessalonians says about helping the unemployed.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

80. Created and Called – Called to Work Anyway

April 6, 2026

Scripture Reading: Ruth 2:1-7

Finding the “right” opportunity when we’re unemployed or underemployed may seem hopeless. In the book of Ruth, we find an example of someone looking for work in less-than-ideal circumstances.

When Ruth and Naomi were in need, Ruth didn’t find the perfect job. Gleaning the fields was not a steady job with regular hours and a paycheck, and Ruth couldn’t necessarily expect to earn enough to feed her family. She was uncertain about whether she would be allowed to keep her position. But she went to work anyway. If a lack of jobs leaves us with seemingly menial opportunities, if discrimination prevents us from getting the job we are qualified for, if circumstances prevent us from getting the education we need for the job we want, if conditions make work seem hopeless, Ruth’s example demonstrates that we are called to work nonetheless.

We are all vulnerable to circumstances that make it difficult or impossible to earn a living. Natural disaster, layoff, redundancy, prejudice, injury, illness, bankruptcy, unfair treatment, legal restrictions, language barriers, lack of relevant training or experience, age, sex, economic mismanagement by others, geographic barriers, getting fired, and a host of other factors can prevent us from working to support ourselves and the people who depend on us. Still, God expects us to work as fully as we are able. Our work might not even earn any income at first, be it volunteering to help others, caring for family members, getting education or training, or caring for our homes. But even if we cannot find a job that meets our needs, we need to work to the highest degree we can.

Prayer: Lord, it seems so discouraging sometimes as I wrestle with what all this means. Help me have the strength to follow Ruth’s example and to do the things I can do. Amen.

Further Exploration: Click to listen to Haddon Robinson and Alice Mathews discuss practical tools for getting through a season of unemployment.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

79. Finding God in Unemployment – Faithfulness in Adversity

March 30, 2026

Scripture Reading: Job 1:13-22

The temptation to believe falsehoods about God is very real when we are unemployed. In our suffering, we can become bitter against God or believe that God is against us. We see these temptations in the story of Job.

In the book of Job, Satan hopes to set a trap for Job, who is widely renowned for being a good and righteous man. Satan says to God that if he removes the blessings he has so richly bestowed on Job, Job will curse God to his face. If Satan can get Job to believe he is being punished by God, Job will be caught in either of two traps. He may abandon his righteous habits in the mistaken assumption that they are offensive to God. Or, better yet from Satan’s point of view, he will become bitter at God for his undeserved punishment, and abandon God altogether.

In times of discouragement and uncertainty, it may help to remember that lies about God’s character are traps set by the accuser, Satan. It is alright to be angry at our circumstances—the Psalms are full of people who express their anger and frustration to God. However, we can let that anger lead us into greater honesty before God and deeper trust in him, instead of bitter resentment.

Even at his lowest moment, Job blessed God’s authority over all the circumstances of life, good and bad: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). During seasons of unemployment, we can trust that God’s goodness remains the same.

Prayer: Blessed be your name, Lord, even in times of trouble. I don’t understand everything I am going through right now, but I pray that you will give me wisdom and discernment. Help me be honest with you about my doubts and frustrations. Help me grow in my relationship with you. Amen.

Further Exploration: Click to read more from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary about how the book of Job applies to work.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

78. Finding God in Unemployment – God’s Love Never Fails

March 23, 2026

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:31-39

Some of challenges of unemployment—such as loss of income and slowed career progress—are obvious. However, unemployment can take a toll in other ways. Joblessness can remove our sense of purpose and identity. Depending on the reasons for our unemployment, we may struggle with feelings of shame or hopelessness. Fear for want of food or other provision may drive unrelenting anxiety. All of these things can hurt us. But they cannot triumph over us.

We may be very familiar with the verses from Romans 8 about God’s unfailing love. But have we ever thought about applying them in our unemployment?

Christ’s faithfulness—and ours, by God’s grace—overcomes the worst that life can do to us. If career progress, income, or prestige are our highest goals, we may end up disappointed; and that disappointment can be felt most acutely when we’re unable to find work. But if salvation—that is, reconciliation with God and people—is our chief hope, then we will find it amidst both good and bad, both in work and out of work. Christ died and rose and is at the right hand of God interceding for us. Even our darkest moments cannot separate us from God’s love. We can rest in that knowledge.

Prayer: Lord, I sometimes feel as though things present and things to come are separating me from your love. Help me remember that such is not the case. Rather, your love always enfolds me. Help me notice the ways you provide for me, and help me look for ways even now to advance your purposes in the world. Amen.

Further Exploration: Click to read more from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary about how Romans 8 can apply to work.

Author: Theology of Work Project

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work.

Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

Called To Work

Category: Devotions/YouVersion

87. What Does the Bible Say About Calling – Direct, Unmistakable Call to Particular Work

86. What Does the Bible Say About Calling – Ask for the Big Picture

85. What Does the Bible Say About Calling – Your Work Is Not as Important as You Want It to Be

84. What Does the Bible Say About Calling – Your High Calling

83. Finding God in Unemployment – Blessing Others in Hard Times

82. Finding God in Unemployment – Unemployment and Rest

81. Finding God in Unemployment – God’s Provision for Those Who Cannot Work

80. Created and Called – Called to Work Anyway

79. Finding God in Unemployment – Faithfulness in Adversity

78. Finding God in Unemployment – God’s Love Never Fails

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