Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5628 work  »  5630 work, divine and human

God has ordained that some of his purposes be fulfilled through the co-operation (conscious or unconscious) of human beings.

God works in co-operation with people's work

Human labour is futile apart from God

Psalm 127:1 See also Genesis 11:8; John 15:5

God often works through human means

Psalm 77:20 See also Acts 9:15; Romans 13:6; 2 Corinthians 7:6

God gives the gifts needed for work

Exodus 31:3,6; Luke 12:48; 1 Peter 4:11

Human workers should acknowledge their dependence upon God

Deuteronomy 8:18 See also Psalm 90:17; Nehemiah 6:9,16; 2 Corinthians 3:5

The apostles as God's fellow-workers

1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 6:1 See also Mark 16:20

Examples of divine and human co-operation in work

Philippians 2:12-13

God creates and people cultivate

Genesis 2:15; Isaiah 28:23-29; 1 Corinthians 3:7

God gives and people are generous

1 Kings 17:9; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

God speaks through prophets' words

Deuteronomy 18:15-18; 2 Samuel 12:25; Jeremiah 37:2; Hosea 12:13; Matthew 1:22; 2 Peter 1:21

See also

1115  God, purpose of
1305  God, activity of
1427  prophecy
1439  revelation
5583  tools
6671  grace & Christian life
7772  prophets
8224  dependence
8260  generosity
8347  spiritual growth
8420  equipping
8434  giving