Luther's pivitol contribution to work

Luther's contribution to work is undeniable. He insisted on the dignity and value of all labor. Luther did more than break the split between sacred and secular work—he empowered all believers to know their work served humanity and enjoyed God’s full blessing. He quotes- that the farmer shoveling manure and the maid milking her cow please God as much as the minister preaching or praying.

Further, as we work in our God-given station (various work we do) in life, we become agents of his providential care: “God is milking the cows through the vocation of the milkmaid.” Through our hands God answers the prayers of his children. We pray for daily bread at night, and bakers rise in the morning to bake it. The same holds for clothing: God “gives the wool, but not without our labor. If it is on the sheep, it makes no garment.” Humans must sheer, card, and spin. Through our work the naked are clothed, the hungry fed, the sick healed. Through our work we please our Maker and love our neighbor.

Luther's doctrine of vocation insist that all Christians hear a call to the gospel and God’s kingdom, and then to a station in life. All honest work performed by a believer, then, is a calling, and all callings pleases God as claimed and not only monks and those serving God in the church deserve such acclamation.

This is what Luther says about work:

1. He dignified all work, even if menial or unsavory. Beyond praising farmers, he advised that “if you see there is a lack of hangmen, constables, judges . . . and you find that you are qualified, you should offer your services.”

2. He corrected medieval hierarchicalism. For Luther, the active life in society is as noble as the contemplative life in the monastery.

3. While Roman Catholicism stressed the self-oriented benefits of work—material provision, divine rewards, the way work cures pride—Luther described work as the place to serve God and neighbor. 

   
   

What does this means to me

Serve God whereever you are called, work as though you are serving God. and transform the place of work for the glory of God