Longing for Work

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 29:4-9

I write this at the end of a stressful work week, and think, “Longing for work? Really?” Yes, really. Work is not a bad thing. We often think of it as part of the curse because God said the ground would now have to be worked “through painful toil” to produce food for Adam (Genesis 3:17-19). But work was there before the curse. It was part of God’s good creation before the Fall. 

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” (Genesis 2:15 NIV)

Have you ever heard of the mouse utopia experiment (officially called the Universe 25 Experiment)? To summarize, four pairs of mice were given everything they could need — including food, water, safety, and opportunity for reproduction — without any work required of them. They really had nothing to do except exist in the “society” they were given. The mice thrived at first, reproducing healthy offspring and growing the population to 2,200 as they neared the end of the first year. What happened next was unexpected. Society started to collapse. The males were either lazy and disinterested in females or outwardly aggressive and violent. The females became apathetic and neglectful of their babies, and some even became, what we would call, murderous toward their offspring. The population declined until complete extinction. 

Calhoun was initially studying population density, but the decline in the mouse society didn’t result from overcrowding (they were using only about half the available space). Sociologists have studied this experiment since, and many have concluded that it was the lack of work and subsequent lack of purpose that led to a deterioration in social roles, aberrant behaviors, and eventual societal collapse. 

The study, or rather its application to human behavior, remains somewhat controversial. I don’t need much convincing, though. Scripture, as the revelation of God’s character and will, repeatedly elevates hard work and warns against laziness. We were made for work. I believe the mice were disoriented and pathological because they were unable to follow their genetic instinct to work, which defined their role in their society. 

The health of society, as with that of any system, comes from its fluidity. If something stagnates, it declines. Health and fitness experts will preach this all day long. I often revisit the metaphor of water. When water is moving, it is healthier, cleaner, and better for consumption. If water is stagnant, it becomes unsuitable for use. Work is movement, in literal and broad application. Societies are dynamic because there is a give-and-take nature to living in groups. We were made to contribute so that society doesn’t stagnate. 

We have work to do, and whatever it is, it is a holy endeavor. Yes, our greater purpose is to glorify God and build up the body of Christ, but the imperative of Scripture is to work hard in whatever capacity we are in. One might be tempted to think that since we are exiles, just passing through this world on the way to our heavenly home, we shouldn’t spend our time working for the good of this current world. Peter called us “sojourners and exiles” (1 Peter 2:11). Paul said “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20). The author of Hebrews said, "For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come" (Hebrews 13:14 NIV).

And yet, we read Jeremiah’s instructions to the Jews exiled to Babylon:

“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters…seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile” (Jeremiah 29:6-7 NIV)

Jesus was a carpenter. Paul was a tentmaker. You may be a businessman, teacher, or healthcare worker. As long as your primary objective is to glorify God with integrity, representing Christ well, I believe you are participating in Kingdom work. 

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24 NIV)