A recent survey focused on questions of work and identity found quite a high level of dissatisfaction with employment. Only 16% said “I feel that in work I’m doing things that are really meaningful”, and just 10% “I believe my current work is part of my calling and vocation”. 30% said “I feel insecure about how long I will be able to hold on to my current job.” (January 2021 YouGov Poll for Theos). It is easy too make too much or too little of gainful employment. Job satisfaction is a modern concept in many ways but that is not to say it is not to some extent a biblical principle. Work is positive but it is still under the curse of the Fall and provides much weariness and vexation of spirit. Our problem is that we often tie our identity and status to our work, and this adds to our troubles. We need to find our satisfaction and contentment in working to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Ecclesiastes shows the trouble that work along with other things can bring. When we seek our ultimate purpose in these things in themselves, we are quickly disappointed and frustrated. It presents these truths to wean our hearts from finding our highest good and purpose in the things of this world. But the book also presents a positive message of resting satisfied in living our lives before God to His glory. One of these passages is in Ecclesiastes chapter 3. Amid the changing events of God’s providence, we can steer a steady course by seeking contentment in submitting to His will and doing all to His glory. Even the best circumstances should encourage us to follow our duty to our Maker and live for eternity in the midst of time. In Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 we are to respond to God’s goodness towards us by rejoicing in His gifts with a spiritual joy. We should enjoy God’s blessings (including work) as the good of all our efforts in our labours and we should do good (that which is well pleasing to God). Even this ability to enjoy them is the free gift of God (see How to Enjoy Earthly Things in a Spiritual Way).

In Ecclesiastes 9:10 we are counselled to pursue the duties of our calling vigorously in the appropriate time and way. This comes in the context of pursuing life to the glory of God, including a lawful vocation (Ecclesiastes 9:7-9). We are to exert the utmost of the ability which God gives, using the strength and comfort received by the use of His benefits to carry out our personal duties and responsibilities. Since time is short and we cannot pursue these things to the glory of God once body and soul are separated in death, we should make use of all strength and comforts to follow our calling now. Since our opportunities for work are limited we cannot make it our ultimate purpose for living. Rather we must make it serve our ultimate purpose, which is to glorify God.

Whatever our hand finds to do, we must do it with all our might. It is not about whether we find work that enhances our self-worth but about how we can best glorify God in all we do. We can do that now and do not need to wait for an opportunity to come up that we feel would better help us to maximise our gifts. That is true job satisfaction. Alexander Nisbet applies these principles further to gain the right Godward perspective on our calling in the following updated extract.

1. Job Satisfaction is the Gift of God

We should make best use of the Lord’s generosity in the variety of the outward comforts of this life. This is by being serious and diligent in the duties of our calling, watching every opportunity and exerting all the strength and cheerfulness of spirit acquired by the good things of God in doing Him service. If we do not do this, our table will become a snare to us and our comforts will be turned into curses. This is inferred from urging us to make cheerful use of the generous provision from God mentioned in Ecclesiastes 9:7-9.

2. Job Satisfaction IS IN EVERY OpportunitY

Men often have both the opportunity and power to do good but through neglect and carelessness are ready to let it slip. This is a very bad return to God for his generosity.  The Spirit of God therefore finds it necessary to stir us up to take hold of every opportunity of duty, as a proof of our thankfulness to God for His bounty.

3. Job Satisfaction is in Exerting Our Utmost

The utmost of our ability is to be shown in the discharge of every commanded duty, considering the danger of doing the work of the Lord negligently (Jeremiah 42:10). The more fervent, serious and vigorous we are in walking in the ways of the Lord, the more our strength will increase (Proverbs 10:29).

4. Job Satisfaction is in Glorifying God Now

The opportunity for these duties in which we can honour God and advance our own and other’s salvation is confined within the bounds of this life. Considering this should sharpen our minds to devise ways of honouring God and doing good to our own souls and others with the utmost of our abilities. This is a reason for diligence in our duty, while we have opportunity. There is “no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave.”

5. Job Satisfaction Has an Eternal Perspective

Everyone is in a continual journey towards their long home. Whether we are active or resting we are hasting towards that. We should see ourselves from this perspective and be moved to employ our time and strength to the utmost, in honouring God and working out our own salvation with fear and trembling. This verse speaks of everyone as being in a constant motion towards their grave. There is “no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave” to which they are going or hasting (as it may be translated).

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