The following passage is an excerpt from my new best-selling book, Reclaiming Reality: Restoring Humanity in the Age of AI. You can learn more about the book, listen to the podcast based on the book, and purchase the book at ReclaimingReality.com.
Work has always been central to human existence. From the beginning, God created man with a purpose, commanding him to cultivate and steward creation. Work was not a punishment; it was a divine commission. Adam was placed in the Garden to tend it, to bring order and beauty to the world God had made. But after the Fall, work became entangled with toil, hardship, and frustration. What was once a joyful calling became, in many cases, a burden. Yet even in its broken state, work remains an essential part of human dignity and purpose.
In today’s world, work is undergoing a transformation unlike anything seen before. Artificial intelligence, automation, and digital economies are redefining labor, making many traditional jobs obsolete. The promise of technology is that it will liberate people from tedious work, giving them more time for leisure, creativity, and self-fulfillment. But the reality is far more complex. As machines take over industries, entire segments of the workforce are being displaced, leaving millions of people without meaningful labor. The modern economy, rather than valuing work as a divine calling, treats it as a disposable function—useful only so long as it contributes to productivity and profits.
The result is a crisis of identity. For centuries, work has been a source of purpose and structure in people’s lives. It has provided not just financial security, but also a sense of contribution to society and a connection to others. But in an era where corporations are increasingly replacing workers with AI-driven systems, the value of human labor is being systematically devalued. The gig economy, remote work, and digital platforms have fragmented traditional career paths, making work less stable, less personal, and less connected to a broader community. This shift is not just economic; it is deeply spiritual. When work loses its meaning, people lose their sense of purpose. Many modern jobs offer little fulfillment, requiring workers to perform repetitive tasks, engage in meaningless bureaucracy, or contribute to industries that offer nothing of real value. At the same time, more and more people are choosing to disengage from work altogether, seeking government assistance, universal basic income, or passive digital income streams rather than pursuing meaningful labor. This is a dangerous development, because when work is seen as an unnecessary burden rather than a vital part of life, society begins to decay.
Christians must resist this trend by reclaiming a biblical vision of work. The purpose of work is not merely to generate income; it is to glorify God, serve others, and cultivate creation. The Bible teaches that all labor, when done with the right heart, is an act of worship. Paul writes in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” This means that work is not just about survival or financial gain—it is a means of sanctification, a way to reflect the image of God as Creator and Sustainer. To rebuild a Christian approach to work, we must first reject the modern idea that work is merely a necessary evil or a means to an end. Instead, we must see it as a calling. This does not mean that every job is equally fulfilling or meaningful in itself, but it does mean that every Christian must approach work with a mindset of stewardship and excellence. Whether someone is a craftsman, a teacher, a business owner, or a homemaker, their labor has eternal significance when done with integrity and purpose.
At the same time, Christians must be willing to build alternative economic structures that allow for meaningful, God-honoring work. The current system is designed to prioritize efficiency and profit over human well-being. Large corporations and global financial institutions increasingly dictate the terms of employment, often at the expense of local communities and family stability. Christians must break free from this model by supporting small businesses, family enterprises, and local economies that prioritize people over profits. One of the most important ways to restore the dignity of work is to return to the concept of vocation. In previous generations, work was not seen as just a job, but as a calling—something one pursued with dedication and craftsmanship. This concept has been largely lost in the modern world, where careers are often chosen based on salary potential rather than passion or purpose. Christians must reclaim the idea that work should be meaningful, creative, and in service to the common good.
This also means rethinking education and job training. The current education system is designed to produce workers for the corporate economy, not independent, self-sufficient people. Schools prioritize compliance over creativity, standardization over craftsmanship. Instead of encouraging young people to pursue trades, entrepreneurship, or meaningful work, they are pushed into an endless cycle of debt-based higher education that often leads to unfulfilling jobs. Christians must develop alternative education systems that equip people with real skills, from farming and craftsmanship to business and technology, so that they can contribute to their communities rather than being dependent on corporate employers or government handouts.
Technology itself is not the enemy. AI and automation can be useful tools, but they must not be allowed to replace human dignity. Christians should be at the forefront of shaping technology in a way that enhances work rather than eliminating it. This means designing systems that support human creativity rather than replacing it, building businesses that value employees rather than viewing them as disposable, and ensuring that technological advancements serve the common good rather than corporate or government interests. The meaning of work is not found in status, salary, or productivity—it is found in service to God and others. A society that no longer values work is a society that no longer values human life. This is why Christians must lead the way in restoring a culture where work is honored, where labor is meaningful, and where people are encouraged to pursue excellence in whatever they do.
The future of work does not have to be defined by automation, AI, or corporate consolidation. It can be defined by a return to the biblical principles of vocation, stewardship, and community. But this will not happen on its own. It requires Christians to take action—to build businesses that honor God, to create alternative economies that provide security and independence, and to train the next generation in the skills and values that will sustain a flourishing Christian civilization. The modern world views work as either a means to an end or an obstacle to comfort. But for the Christian, work is a reflection of divine purpose. It is a way to create, to serve, and to glorify God. In a world where the value of human labor is under attack, we must stand firm in the truth that meaningful work is not just essential to the economy—it is essential to the soul.
Like what you’ve read? Buy the book here.
