It is not uncommon for us to see work and faith as two separate parts of our lives.

Perhaps this comes from a misunderstanding of the rhythm of creation – six days of work followed by a Sabbath day (Genesis 2:2–3). Or maybe it’s because work feels “of this world”, while faith is seen as something more spiritual or “otherworldly”.

Yet, the Bible makes no such distinction between the two. In fact, Colossians 3:23-24 tells us: “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.”

Whether it is at work or in church, all that we do as believers must be done for Christ. This Labour Day, as we honour all who work, let us look at how we can carry out our daily tasks, no matter how difficult or mundane, for God.

1. Recognise that you have “special access”

As workers in the marketplace, we have access to places no Pastor can ever gain.

Ps Benny Ho, Leadership Mentor of Faith Community Church in Perth, said: “I am a Pulpit Minister. My pulpit happens to be in a church building. You are a Marketplace Minister. Your pulpit is in your workplace. We are all ‘full-time’ servants of the living God.

“I cannot walk into the bank and start preaching, but if you work in that bank, you are the Pastor and preacher assigned to that workplace. From there, you minister and carry out your ministry of reconciliation.”

Ps Benny is also Founder of Arrows College and Arrows Resources, a teaching ministry to equip and disciple the nations, and the Mentor-Leader of a group of D-Net churches. Photo by the Thirst Collective.

The real question then is our focus: Is it on the eternal or the temporal? Are we working for Kingdom advancement or purely for earthly gains? 

The “secular” becomes “spiritual” when our focus is eternal.

2. Stand firm on your core values

We may not be able to live our lives in a Christian cocoon – nor should we – but we can refuse to be of the world even while we are in it (John 17:14-16).

At the 2025 National Christian Educators Conference, Esther Foong, former primary school Head of Department and co-founder of Kidmin Singapore and The Treasure Box Singapore, shared about defining our core values from the beginning so that we can live out godly principles at work.

“If there are three things that are non-negotiable for you at your workplace, what would they be?” she asked. “If you set those as the ground rules for yourself, then I think you’ll be able to navigate (the workplace) more confidently.”

Emphasising how convictions always need to be established before a decision point, she added: “Prepare yourself before making a decision … because at that point, there are too many emotions for you to make a wise and sane decision.”

3. See your workplace as a training ground

We often see the church as the place where we are nurtured, tutored and fortified so we can face another week “out there”. But our work can be a training ground for our faith, too.

Organisational psychologist and executive coach Goh Hong Yi, who explores the intersection of faith and work, noted that the skills David displayed in his fight against Goliath did not come out of the blue.

He had been trained while at work as a shepherd. In 1 Samuel 17:36, David declared: “Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them.”

Similarly, his musical ability to soothe King Saul’s tormented soul (1 Samuel 16:23) was honed while he was a shepherd, as he entertained himself with the lyre in solitary moments as he watched his flock.

4. Create meaning in your work

So, find meaning in your work, no matter how minute or mundane the task.

Gerald Tan, Project Director and Lead Career Developer of Avodah People Solutions, said: “Meaning in our work can be created when we understand ourselves and how we use what we do to create meaning for others.”

Gerald (right) with his team and volunteer advisors at Avodah People Solutions in 2017. Photo courtesy of Gerald Tan.

“The original concept of work was instituted in the Bible in Genesis 1, where God commanded Adam to take dominion and multiply. Even with the Fall in Genesis 3 when work became toil, Jesus’ sacrifice redeemed man and restored all things, including work, to Himself.”

As a result, work is not just a job. It is a mission for man to manage and grow resources as God had planned. When work has this greater purpose beyond fulfilling practical needs, it has meaning and can become enjoyable.

5. Pray about your work

All work has its challenges. Take them to God.

In a previous Salt&Light interview, Choe Peng Sum, former CEO of Frasers Property, shared: “When I face issues at work, I take half a day’s leave. I bring my notebook and spend time with God in the outdoors. I’ll read the Bible and have conversations with the Lord.”

Many of these times, he receives direction from God on what to do next.

Peng Sum was the first employee of Fraser Hospitality. Photo courtesy of Frasers Hospitality.

“We tend to be so busy and get caught up with work. But if we take the time, God is there for us. I’m not saying that God is an ATM (automated teller machine), but sometimes what we do not have is because of what we do not ask.”

Apart from praying about our challenges, we can also pray for inspiration. God is infinitely creative. Let Him be your wisdom at work.

Anseina Eliza, one half of fashion label ANS.EIN, told Salt&Light about how she once drew inspiration for her designs from a sermon.

Anseina and her family modelling ANS.EIN designs. Photo courtesy of ANS.EIN.

“One Pastor said that Jesus is like a garbage collector. We’re sinful and broken, yet He picked us up and turned us into His precious treasure, His children,” she said. “That message touched me, and I came up with the concept, From Trash to Treasure.”

Collecting 1,000 single-use plastic bags from family and friends, Anseina repurposed them into a floral cape, skirt and top. Using fabric scraps, the designer also created intricate patterns across a ballgown, a kimono-style top, and culottes – resulting in another award-winning collection.

6. Be the light at work

As Christians, we can bring the light of Christ to our workplace.

In the late 80s, Ong Ai Boon, Director of The Association of Banks in Singapore, engaged an advertising agency to work on a project.

The 40-strong Association of Banks in Singapore team in 2023 with Ai Boon (in green). Photo courtesy of Ong Ai Boon

“The first draft of the publication came with a cover picture of a seated gypsy woman gazing into a crystal ball – symbolism for her looking into Singapore’s future,” she recalled.

“I promptly rejected the illustration. He was visibly taken aback by my objection to it and asked why. I told him that I am a Christian and consulting soothsayers (a person supposed to be able to foresee the future) was unacceptable. He understood and replaced it.”

In the course of working with the service manager, she was frustrated because he was often slow and lethargic in picking up calls, responding to revisions and meeting deadlines.

But, remembering that she had told him that she was a Christian, she restrained herself and asked God for the strength to treat him in a Christ-like manner.

7. Use your sphere of influence for God

Wherever your work has placed you in is your natural sphere of influence. You can use that to share your faith.

Founder of Jin Kimchi Jack Chu is what the marketplace calls a “hawker hustler”, a young innovative entrepreneur reimagining and revitalising the local food scene. His is a familiar face and name because of his brand.

Jack’s social media account where he talks authentically about his Christian journey.

Jack has a personal social media account on which he shares Christian reflections and prayers.

“I just wanted to share about my life and faith authentically with others. Sometimes, making these videos also forces me to make a habit of praying,” he said.

He once posted an Instagram video talking about how he went to church for the first time in years. It garnered over 100,000 views.

The week after the video was posted, the church that he went to was more packed than usual. Various people in church came up to Jack and said they had seen his video.

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