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The main thesis of this ministry is that a Christian worldview dramatically affects how we think about work and productivity.
From recognizing our roles as image bearers of God to having an eternal mindset to considering all work as an opportunity to worship the Lord, when we look at the world through a biblical lens, it changes how we think about getting things done.
But the gospel itself—the good news that we can be forgiven for our sin and declared righteous through Jesus Christ—should also radically change our mindset around productivity.
Here are just five ways the gospel should shape the way you think about your productivity.
1. The Gospel Makes Your Work Meaningful
“Does my work even matter?”
I’m sure you’ve wondered that at times. I know I have. But if you are in Christ, you can be confident that if you do your work as an act of worship unto God, your work not only matters, it matters eternally.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Colossians 3:23–24
When work feels pointless it’s easy to get caught up in complaining about the boss, the hours, and the work itself. But Christians must constantly remind themselves that work is meaningful beyond its immediate outcomes, even when your job feels meaningless.
When we focus on doing our work well unto God’s glory, it infuses our work with a purpose far exceeding the work itself.
the beautiful thing is that when we serve in God’s power it’s Him who gets the glory, not us.
2. The Gospel Shapes Your Priorities
Do you know what’s more important than getting things done?
Deciding which things should get done, and in which order.
Productivity is more a matter of effectiveness than efficiency. Because what’s the point of being more efficient at doing the wrong things? But the gospel makes our #1 priority crystal clear.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33
The gospel lays down this simple, singular priority that brings clarity to everything else, seek first His kingdom and righteousness. Put that at the top of your to-do list every day and you’ll be amazed at the clarity it brings to everything else.
3. The Gospel Equips You to Be Fruitful
You need to view your vocation not just as a way to make money, but as a vehicle for serving God (see Colossians 3:23–24 above). Once you begin to truly see your work that way, you’ll recognize that Scripture supplies you with powerful promises of provision for this task. You aren’t called to serve God in your own power, but it in His.
“…whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11)
Whether by prayer, spiritual gifts, or the local church, those who have trusted in the gospel of Jesus Christ are sitting on a treasure trove of resources that equip them to be productive for God’s glory. Often we acknowledge these boons when it comes to our walk with the Lord, but we don’t make the connection to our primary vocation.
For the Christian, productivity isn’t just a bag of tips and tricks, time management, and fancy apps. The gospel equips us to be fruitful in serving God in every area of life, and that includes our work and productivity. And the beautiful thing is that when we serve in God’s power it’s Him who gets the glory, not us.
4. The Gospel Gives You Grace When You Fail
The gospel is the good news of grace. It is according to God’s unmerited favor toward us that our sins are covered and we are justified by faith. This grace gives us the confidence to draw near to God when we sin, knowing that forgiveness has been supplied by the blood of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:16).
The Christian’s productive success is guaranteed, not in this life, but in the life to come. And that should give us confidence today.
But given the seemingly too-good-to-be-true immensity of grace, we often live like we don’t believe we are under grace. And our first instinct upon failing is to beat ourselves up.
Whether it’s falling into sin or just failing to live up to the high standards we have for ourselves in our work, the habit of self-flagellation can be a hard one to break. But we should see it for what it is: we are forgetting that the gospel gives us grace when we fail.
The gospel is a sweet balm when we fall short. It’s the reminder that God isn’t waiting around to wallop you when you sin and He’s not looking to knock you down a peg when you fall short at work either. We strive for excellence in our work, but we have to remember that we will fall short in this too. But because of Jesus Christ, grace is always there to catch us.
5. The Gospel Guarantees Your Success
Preachers of the prosperity gospel shill the lie that following God will make you successful in everything you do—riches, fame, health, and all manner of success. They make God out to be a genie whose only goal is to satisfy your every base desire. But the problem with the prosperity message isn’t that it promises too much, it’s that it promises too little!
We all want our endeavors in this life to be successful. After all, who starts a project without at least some hope that it will turn out well? But because of the gospel even if every earthly endeavor you try in this life ends up flopping, if you’re work is done as unto the Lord, you will succeed in the only thing that matters—bringing Him glory.
The Christian’s productive success is guaranteed, not in this life, but in the life to come. And that should give us confidence today. Success means being faithful in what God has called you to do today and doing it with an eye toward pleasing Him. If you work with that focus, the ultimate results are guaranteed.
So don’t hedge your bets, go all in on God and His glory. Be a living sacrifice. Fall flat on your face, knowing that if you’re serving Christ, in the long run, you will have succeeded in eternity. And in the long run, that’s all that really matters.
I want to be a faithful servant of God ‘s time