Moderns think work is a necessary evil. Puritans saw work as worship. They didn’t just show up to jobs; they showed up before God. Your office isn’t a prison. It’s a pulpit. Your labor isn’t lost. It’s liturgy.

Work existed before the Fall. Genesis 2:15—“The“ LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” Work was part of paradise. Toil came with sin. But the calling to work remains.

William Perkins wrote: “The action of a shepherd in keeping sheep… is as good a work before God as is the action of a judge in giving a sentence.” There are no “secular” jobs, only secular hearts. All lawful work is sacred if offered to Christ.

Thomas Watson warned: “Idleness is the devil’s anvil, on which he frames many a sin.” But also: “He who labors only for earth will lose heaven.” Work hard, but not like the world. Labor with eternity in view.

The Westminster Larger Catechism (Q.141) calls diligence in a lawful calling part of obedience to the eighth commandment. That means laziness is not just a flaw; it’s sin. So is selfish ambition. Monday is moral territory.

Here’s where the Puritans really added value: They examined their hearts at work. Try this Puritan Self-Examination for Your Workweek 🪞👇 Am I laboring for the glory of God or the praise of man? Is my work a service to others or a platform for self? Do I pray over my labor as part of my worship? Am I prepared to give Christ an account of how I spend my 40 hours? Convicting? Good. That’s what truth does.

You don’t need to romanticize your career. You need to redeem it. Do your emails for Christ. Run your meetings as ministry. Handle spreadsheets like sacred trust.

Tomorrow you may feel unseen, unmotivated, and underwhelmed. But remember: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord…” (Col. 3:23) Jesus sees. Jesus reigns. And Jesus is worth your very best. Soli Deo Gloria. 🧵/End