Christian: Your Job (Whatever It Is) Is a Calling from God

In church, we often hear of pastors and missionaries being “called” to their work. But how often do we hear of people being “called” to jobs other than those that are considered ministry positions within the church? The doctrine of vocation (“calling”) is something that Christians need to recover.

Along this line, John Calvin, putting together what Scripture says about “calling” in several places, wrote:

The Lord enjoins every one of us, in all the actions of life, to have respect to our own calling… in all our cares, toils, annoyances, and other burdens, it will be no small alleviation to know that all these are under the superintendence of God. The magistrate will more willingly perform his office, and the father of a family confine himself to his proper sphere. Everyone in his particular mode of life will, without repining, suffer its inconveniences, cares, uneasiness, and anxiety, persuaded that God has laid on the burden. This, too, will afford admirable consolation, that in following your proper calling, no work will be so mean and sordid as not to have a splendor and value in the eye of God. (Institutes 3.10.6)

Again, notice that this doctrine of “calling” is meant to encourage and empower Christians in joyful faithfulness to God, regardless of what their particular jobs or roles in society might be. The magistrate (government official), the father, even the slave: none of these positions are held by anyone except by the movement of God’s providence. Therefore, grumbling is excluded and rejoicing is prompted.

Notice that in 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul writes even of slaves being “called” to the position that they are in:

²⁰ Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called.

²¹ Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. ²² For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave. ²³ You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. ²⁴ Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called. (1 Corinthians 7:20-24 NASB)

This is meant to be a comfort to slaves as well as freedmen. Slaves could gain their freedom if possible, but if circumstances would not allow it, they should be empowered to rejoice in Christ even in the midst of their slavery, knowing that their lot in life was not the result of random chance; rather, for them, slavery was a calling: a hard life, certainly, but one that was ordained for them by God for His glory and their sanctification.

If even those in the lowest possible job of society are “called,” then all Christians should be confident that their situation of employment is from the Lord. We may change our employment if wisdom and circumstance dictate it, but otherwise we should be empowered to glorify God and benefit others while carrying out the job that we have. This may be a hard word for some of us to hear initially; however, once it is accepted, it brings about great peace.