Labor: Created to Create

Introduction: Reframing Work in a Biblical Worldview

In a culture that often dreads Monday mornings and celebrates “Thank God It’s Friday,” work is frequently viewed as a burden—a necessary evil to endure for a paycheck. Yet, The Truth Project Lesson 11, “Labor: Created to Create,” from Focus on the Family’s biblical worldview curriculum, offers a transformative perspective. Led by Dr. Del Tackett, this lesson challenges Christians to see labor not as a curse but as a divine privilege rooted in God’s creative nature. By exploring the biblical foundations of work, economics, and the arts, Lesson 11 equips believers to align their labor with God’s purposes, steward His resources faithfully, and impact culture for His glory. This post delves into the lesson’s key themes, economic principles, and practical applications, drawing from the provided outline, lesson guide, and broader insights about The Truth Project.

Labor: A Reflection of God’s Nature

The lesson begins by reframing labor as a core element of God’s design for humanity. In Genesis 1:1–2:3, God is depicted as the Original Worker, creating the world in six days and declaring it “good” (Genesis 1:31). As beings made in His image (Genesis 1:26–27), humans are endowed with creativity and tasked with stewarding creation. God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden to “work it and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15), a mandate to cultivate, beautify, and enhance the world. Far from being a consequence of the Fall, labor is a pre-Fall gift, designed to bring joy and fulfillment.

Dr. Tackett argues that modern culture’s negative view of work—as a “bummer” or “the only way to get to Friday”—is a distortion rooted in the “Cosmic Battle,” a recurring theme in The Truth Project. This battle, between God’s truth and Satan’s lies, manifests in attitudes that devalue labor, portraying it as a curse rather than a privilege. The lesson counters this by emphasizing that work reflects God’s character and allows humans to participate in His creative process. The Fourth Commandment (Exodus 20:8–11), which mandates Sabbath rest, underscores the value of work by ensuring balance, affirming that labor is so fulfilling that God commands us to pause weekly to rest and worship.

The Importance of the Labor Sphere

Labor is described as the “engine room of culture,” producing all material goods—food, clothing, shelter—that sustain society. Yet, this sphere also has the potential for evil, producing harmful products like pornography or illegal drugs when not guided by biblical ethics. This duality highlights the need for Christians to approach work with a godly worldview, ensuring their labor aligns with God’s purposes.

The lesson frames labor as a relational sphere, like family, church, and state, with a triune structure reflecting God’s nature. This structure involves:

  • God, the ultimate owner of all resources.

  • Owners, who steward God’s goods with accountability to Him.

  • Workers, who operate under owners’ authority, contributing to productivity and welfare.

These relationships, governed by scriptural principles (e.g., Ephesians 6:5–9), emphasize mutual respect and responsibility. Employers must treat workers fairly, while employees are called to work diligently, reflecting a biblical work ethic.

Seven Biblical Economic Principles

Dr. Tackett outlines a biblical economic model centered on stewardship, supported by seven principles that guide labor and resource management:

  • All Things Belong to God (Psalm 24:1): The earth and everything in it are God’s. Materialism, driven by the lie that possessions bring satisfaction, contradicts this truth. Christians must view themselves as stewards, not owners, of God’s resources.

  • God Appointed Man as Creative Steward with Ownership Rights (Ephesians 6:5–9): Stewardship involves managing God’s goods with authority and accountability. Economics is defined as the management of God’s resources, requiring employers and employees to act with integrity and mutual respect.

  • Theft and Coveting Are Wrong (Exodus 20:15, 17): Respecting others’ property is foundational to biblical economics, countering greed and entitlement.

  • Skills and Abilities Come from God (Exodus 35:30–35): Talents, such as artistic or technical skills, are divine gifts to be used for God’s glory and the benefit of others.

  • Work Is Profitable, Good, and to Be Pursued; Laziness Is Not (Proverbs 10:4, 14:23): A strong work ethic is a biblical virtue, while idleness leads to poverty and dishonors God’s design.

  • Love God, Not Your Goods (Matthew 6:24): Wealth must not become an idol; devotion to God takes precedence over material possessions.

  • Be Compassionate and Generous to Those in Need (Deuteronomy 15:7–11): Labor generates wealth that should be used to help the poor, reflecting God’s heart for compassion.

These principles provide a framework for Christians to navigate the economic aspects of labor, ensuring their work aligns with God’s ethical standards.

Responsibility to the Poor

A significant emphasis of Lesson 11 is the labor sphere’s responsibility to address poverty. While scripture mandates compassion for the poor (Proverbs 14:31, Matthew 25:35–40), Dr. Tackett argues that this responsibility falls primarily on the labor sphere, not the state. Businesses and employers should create job opportunities to empower the poor, fostering dignity and self-sufficiency rather than dependency on welfare. This perspective may spark debate, as it challenges reliance on government programs and emphasizes private initiative rooted in biblical compassion. By providing work, the labor sphere can meet physical needs while affirming the value of every individual as a contributor to society.

Arts and Media: Shaping Culture for God’s Glory

As an extension of creative labor, the lesson explores the arts and media, which wield significant cultural influence. Dr. Tackett cites Dr. Francis Schaeffer’s observation: “Whoever controls the media, controls the culture.” In a world saturated with media, Christians must engage this sphere to counter secular narratives and promote God’s truth.

The lesson emphasizes that beauty in art and media should align with God’s standards of goodness and truth (Psalm 101:3: “I will set before my eyes no vile thing”). This counters cultural relativism, which denies absolute standards for beauty. Christians are called to create and consume media that glorifies God, embodying the principle of Soli Deo Gloria (“for God’s glory alone”), historically championed by artists like Bach. Whether in film, music, or visual arts, believers can shape culture by producing work that reflects God’s character and values.

Practical Applications and Challenges

Lesson 11 challenges participants to rethink their attitudes toward work. The cultural “TGIF” mindset may make some feel convicted, but facilitators are encouraged to inspire joy in labor rather than guilt. The lesson’s emphasis on job creation as a solution to poverty may provoke political debate, particularly among those who view welfare as the state’s domain. However, the biblical call to compassion through work offers a balanced approach that empowers individuals while meeting practical needs.

In the arts and media, Christians face the challenge of navigating a landscape often dominated by secular values. Lesson 11 urges believers to actively participate in these fields, creating content that honors God and influences culture positively. This may involve pursuing careers in media, supporting Christian artists, or being discerning consumers of entertainment.

The Broader Context of The Truth Project

The Truth Project seeks to equip Christians to counter secular worldviews with biblical truth. Lesson 11 fits this mission by addressing labor as a divine institution distorted by cultural lies. The “Cosmic Battle” theme frames negative attitudes toward work as Satanic deceptions, urging believers to reclaim labor as worship. Online discussions, including posts on X, highlight the lesson’s impact, with many praising its call to see work as a sacred calling. However, some critiques note its potentially didactic tone or politically charged views on poverty, underscoring the need for thoughtful dialogue.

Conclusion: Embracing Labor as Worship

The Truth Project Lesson 11, “Labor: Created to Create,” invites Christians to see work as a reflection of God’s creative image, a means to steward His resources, and a platform to serve others. By embracing the seven economic principles, believers can approach labor with integrity, generosity, and purpose. The call to engage arts and media further challenges Christians to shape culture for God’s glory. Whether you’re an employee, employer, or artist, this lesson encourages you to view labor as a divine calling. How can you transform your workplace or creative pursuits to reflect God’s heart? Let’s rediscover the joy of labor and create for His glory alone.