What Does the Bible Say About Working And Not Eating?

2 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV / 8 helpful votes

For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV / 7 helpful votes

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Proverbs 21:25 ESV / 6 helpful votes

The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

Ephesians 4:28 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

Proverbs 14:23 ESV / 5 helpful votes

In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.

Hebrews 6:10 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

1 Timothy 5:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”

Acts 20:35 ESV / 4 helpful votes

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Proverbs 13:4 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

Genesis 2:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

2 Thessalonians 3:12-16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Colossians 3:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

Ephesians 2:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.

Proverbs 28:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

Proverbs 20:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

Proverbs 12:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.

Proverbs 12:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

Proverbs 10:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Proverbs 6:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.

James 5:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.

Hebrews 6:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

1 Timothy 4:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

2 Thessalonians 3:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Abstain from every form of evil.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

1 Thessalonians 2:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

Colossians 3:22-24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Colossians 2:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

1 Corinthians 11:1-34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. ...

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

John 6:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”

John 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 3:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Luke 16:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.

Luke 10:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Isaiah 55:1-3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.

Ecclesiastes 5:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.

Proverbs 22:29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

Proverbs 18:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.

Psalm 128:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

Deuteronomy 25:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.

Deuteronomy 15:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.

Leviticus 19:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning.

Exodus 34:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest. In plowing time and in harvest you shall rest.

Exodus 23:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed.

Genesis 9:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.

Genesis 2:1-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, ...

58 Bible Verses about Working And Not Eating

2 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 21:25 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:28 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 14:23 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 6:10 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 5:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 20:35 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 13:4 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 2:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Thessalonians 3:12-16 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 9:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 28:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 20:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 12:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 12:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 10:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 6:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 5:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 6:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 4:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Thessalonians 3:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 5:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 4:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 2:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:22-24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 2:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 11:1-34 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 6:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 16:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 10:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 55:1-3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 5:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:29 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 128:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 25:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 15:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Leviticus 19:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Leviticus 19:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 34:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 23:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 9:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 2:1-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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