How much does our secular work really matter to God? Or is there a hierarchy of holiness in the work that we do?

I mean, surely ‘Christian work’, like a missionary or being employed by a Church, is more important or of greater value to God: at least in comparison to secular employment. Certainly, when I was not a Christian, work for me was about earning fun-tokens so I could enjoy far-flung adventures and socialising with friends. It was an earn fun-tokens, spend fun-tokens, eat, sleep, repeat type hamster wheel. When I then became a Christian in 2018, I came off this hamster wheel because it felt empty and meaningless, particularly in comparison to learning about a Creator God and my real purpose in this world. My world had gone from a 2-dimensional hedonistic pursuit of effectively chasing the wind, to a 3-dimensional exploration and trusting that the God of the Bible was now guarding my eternal soul.

Now, I’m not for one minute assuming others see paid work in such a reductionist pleasure-seeking manner. I know many excellent and diligent business owners, doctors, or cleaners who love and value their work. And of course there is immense value in unpaid work, like being a parent or looking after elderly parents. But I will admit I was guilty of thinking non-Christian work really didn’t matter to God and tripped up on what I might call the ‘holy hierarchy heresy’. Unless we are the Bear Grylls robust-survival types, we do need money to put food on the table. But I was left with the question: is paid work only about earning money, or does it really matter to God?

I was challenged to answer my own question and examine unexamined assumptions when I was asked to speak on a panel as part of the Thrive25 conference. As I read more about the relationship between secular work and faith, I came to realise how important a theology of work really was. I could relate to what Mark Greene (licc.) referred to as the secular-sacred divide where Christians, just like myself, often felt large parts of life didn’t matter to God. But I was provoked by how many authors in this sphere connected seemingly mundane jobs to God’s character, and how many wrote on the importance of the actual work, not just our Christian witness in the workplace.

In my context, I have worked for over 25 years in Environmental Health and Health and Safety related disciplines, particularly law enforcement. As I began to reflect on how my employment context- such as carrying out a food hygiene inspection on a restaurant- I started to see how my job connected to God’s character. In the Bible, God creates order out of chaos and provides provisions for human flourishing. During an inspection I seek to bring order out of chaos- a dirty restaurant- in order to allow for human flourishing- prevent food poisoning! In health and safety, I concluded that the working at height regulations didn’t stem from the H&S at Work etc. Act 1974, but from Deuteronomy 22:8! (when God instructed a parapet be built on a flat roof to prevent human bloodshed). I was rather elated that I could argue my job was Biblical: an ‘amen’ moment to be sure.

So, as I started to deconstruct my narrow view on God’s interest in secular work, I began to embrace a Christian worldview at every opportunity within the workplace. In simple terms, I see this as:

Sharing our Christian faith– being intentional and taking opportunities to share the Gospel (while maintaining professionalism), engaging in difficult conversations (e.g. about abortion) and praying for specific people.

Showing our Christian faith– being a witness to Christ by how we do our work and understanding that the work itself matters. Having a sense of purpose and meaning in the work we do, while we seek to help the world work as well as it can. In other words, it’s being fruitful and good stewards of what God has entrusted us with.

Sanctification in our Christian faith– understanding that our workplace is a place of inner transformation. There is a redemptive aspect to work in which Christ is using our work to sanctify us. If we think about why God saves us, we might see salvation as not just about getting into Heaven- but about getting heaven into us. And so, this is living in a way in which we were created to live, and which contributes to what God is doing in the world. This includes how we relate to others in the workplace, how transparent and honest we are, or by making moral decisions in how we work. Perhaps as a manager you create a culture of fairness and dignity. Or as a law enforcer, you are firm but fair, holding stakeholders accountable but in a graceful manner.

Now, I will also admit, that I am currently doing a voluntary ministry apprenticeship with a local Church in Edinburgh (albeit terminating June 2026). This has been another insightful experience, and a blessing to work alongside mature Christian leaders and attend team meetings that start with prayer! Christian ministry has certainly been a place of continued sanctification, not least realising that mature Church leaders are sinners too, but because God has been working on pride and self-importance I didn’t even know I had. It is also insightful because I am no longer on the front-line in my Christian witness within the workplace. And if say 98% of a Church’s congregation work in non-Christian employment, can the Church be doing more to bridge the sacred-secular divide?

Well, I would say so, but that’s another topic in itself! But can you imagine what it would look like if Sunday sermons regularly equipped Monday workers? Or if Church teaching equipped civil servants, hairdressers and bankers to truly value their work because, and knowing that, God does.  It’s also a reason why I’m excited about what organisations like The Business Connection and Thrive Scotland are doing.

For now, let me conclude by encouraging you to explore how your work reflects God’s character and how all work really matters to God. In your workplace, share your Christian faith with those who don’t know Christ, show your Christian faith in how you do your work, and be shaped and sanctified in the redemptive aspect of all that you do.