What Makes Work Meaningful or Meaningless?
— by the Faith Driven Team
Does work feel meaningless to you?
If so, you’re not alone. At least one in five Americans report that their job is meaningless. While that’s just a small sample of the world’s population, we wouldn’t be surprised if people in every country feel the same way. After completing hundreds of podcasts, videos, and interviews, the Faith Driven team has seen firsthand that everyone struggles with meaninglessness at some point or another.
“What makes work meaningful or meaningless?”
It’s a question we get all the time at Faith Driven Entrepreneur. At its core, the question has to do with identity. Who am I? How do I fit in? What is my purpose?
One solution to meaninglessness is to resign yourself to the monotony. Another solution is to maximize your sense of immediate fulfillment. But do either of these solutions answer the fundamental issue at hand? No. Although work can feel meaningless, human beings have an innate desire for meaning and purpose that isn’t met by immediate gratification.
While meaningful work looks different for everyone, there are a few guideposts that have proven to be helpful along the way. In this article, the Faith Driven team is going to point to a few Bible verses, entrepreneurs, and resources that point us toward meaningful work.
We begin with this fundamental belief. Faith driven entrepreneurs live lives that have been transformed by the Gospel, that have accepted the gift of salvation, and now seek to bring God glory as their greatest and highest purpose.
With a deep-rooted identity in Christ, we can begin to find joy, inspiration, and meaning in whatever we do.
Everything is Meaningless
King Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, was obsessed with the meaning of life (or lack of). In the book, he tries out every single activity and pleasure known to man, seeing what might bring him happiness and contentment. However, nearly everything leads him to say, “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless” (Eccl. 1:2).
King Solomon tries food, drink, intimacy, riches, and more. Work doesn’t fare much better. In Solomon’s words, “I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me” (Eccl. 2: 17-18).
Thankfully, the book doesn’t end there. Unlike riches and self-indulgence, Solomon finds a silver lining to work and toil: “A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” (Eccl. 2:24-25).
The Faith Driven team doesn’t quote these verses to say that work is meaningless. Not at all. However, it’s important to note that work can feel meaningless (too many outlets focus only on the mountain tops while ignoring the valleys). It’s also important to note that experiencing meaning and purpose is a gift from God. Ecclesiastes helps us be honest with our emotions while aligning our perspective with a vision of the world where God blesses us and sustains us each and every day.
If you’re looking for what makes work meaningful or meaningless, then try considering meaningful work as a gift, not something you are automatically owed.
We Were Created to Work
Some entrepreneurs are raised to believe that work is drudgery. Work was introduced to be a curse, as a consequence of the fall. Perhaps you had a parent who hated their job and came home every night complaining about the unfair schedule and their annoying boss. Perhaps you had a pastor who took a too-narrow view of the creation story.
But when we read the Bible, we find that while work was affected by the fall, work was not created by the fall.
In Genesis, we read, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (Gen 2:15). This was before Satan tempted Adam and Eve. Work was originally part of God’s good creation. Although meaningless work can wear us down, we shouldn’t give up hope of finding a fulfilling career or starting a worthwhile business. We were created to work, and it was supposed to be good. Work is in our DNA.
Since human beings were created to work, and God considered work good, then work is something that can be redeemed for God’s glory.
Meaning is Rooted in Dignity
Therefore, scripture tells us that work is a gift from God and part of who we are as human beings. As such, meaningful work isn’t up to a lucky roll of some cosmic die. It’s something built into the fabric of creation. Not only is work something to be redeemed in itself, but work is a tool for redemption. As people experience meaning in what they do, they experience a unique side of what it means to be God’s children. In other words, creating workspaces that foster purpose promotes human dignity.
And let’s not forget one of the core Marks of the Faith Driven Entrepreneur: Identity in Christ. While business can provide a deep sense of accomplishment and purpose, it cannot provide us with complete meaning. Christ is the one who tells us who we are and what we are called to do. This is both general and specific. We are all beloved children of God, but that doesn’t negate our earthly callings: lawyer, evangelist, baker, or entrepreneur.
When employees and business owners are treated as cogs in a machine, when our work keeps us from living out our true potential as children of God, then life appears to be meaningless.
Love of oneself, love of others, love of God, and love from God – these are the elements that undergird meaningful work. If you are in a job right now, ask yourself if the workplace enables you to live as a child of God, someone who is able to be creative, inspired, loving, and community-oriented. Likewise, if you have a position of power at a company, see if you are treating employees and team members with dignity.
4 Questions to Rediscover Meaning in Entrepreneurship
If what we’ve said so far is true, then our sense of meaning and fulfillment is directly related to who God has created us to be. This is true in a general sense and a specific sense. All human beings are created in the image of God, and yet you have unique talents and gifts to give to the world. It’s time to turn our attention to your specific purpose.
Here is a list of six related questions that can help you unpack your own relationship to meaningful work.
Who Are You?
This question has two parts. One, figure out where your passions and gifts lie. Not only will you find more joy in doing what you love, but you’ll also avoid a lot of frustration doing what you hate. Although entrepreneurs have the stereotype of being “the lone wolf,” any successful business owner will tell you that teamwork is key. Plus, there’s probably someone out there who loves doing what you hate. Let go of the unnecessary frustration! Find out who you are and what you do best. This starts by listening and using tools like Patrick Lencioni’s “Working Genius” content to better understand yourself.
The second part of this question has to do with our identities in Christ. Jeff Haanen, CEO and Founder of Denver Institute for Faith and Work, recounts his own struggle with worshipping work. After years of questioning and wrestling, he’s come to the realization that our identities are rooted in Christ. He writes:
Jesus says to entrepreneurs, ‘You are mine. All the work has been done through my death and resurrection. You can add nothing to it and take nothing from it. Now be free. To work. To create. To build a business. To fail. No matter what, you no longer need to prove yourself. You are now a part of the family. Your identity is spoken for. You are mine. You are home.’
The freedom for the faith-driven entrepreneur is that in Christ, all the work is finally finished. Our work, then, is simply to listen, obey, and to tend the vine given to us. And when it grows, to marvel at the handiwork of the Gardener.
Pay attention to your gifts and passions, and remember that you are ultimately a child of Jesus Christ.
Who Are You Working For?
Faith driven entrepreneurs might think that the correct answer to this question is “God.” We should work for God, right?
But what does it look like to work for God? Our all-sufficient God doesn’t need our work. He doesn’t have a quota of widgets to meet each day. God doesn’t send us a bi-weekly paycheck. Instead, working for God involves a specific heart posture. This is what we’ve learned after conducting countless blogs and podcasts. Entrepreneurs from all industries, countries, and demographics recommend taking the following action steps when it comes to getting your priorities right.
Let go of control
Many entrepreneurs start businesses out of fear. We become the boss in order to control the trajectories of our lives. We manage the finances. We manage customer service. We manage the product.
This was the case for Peter Demos, a restaurant owner, who says in “3 Fundamental Truths for Putting God at the Center of Your Business,” “I’ve since learned the root of my need to control was fear. I was afraid to trust anything other than my own two hands. So afraid that my wife would leave me, I nearly suffocated her with jealousy and controlling behavior. So afraid that my business would fail, I worked around the clock until it became my idol. I was a walking ball of fear, which manifested as uncontrollable anger. But the minute I relinquished control, I finally felt a peace I never knew was possible, and it changed everything.”
Focus on others
God calls us to love our neighbors and provide for those less fortunate. This focus on others is often what makes work meaningful or meaningless. Many entrepreneurs find meaning in providing for their families. Others are motivated by helping the customer, providing a life-changing product or service for those who need it. As Jesus says, what we do for the least of these, we do for Him.
Merge your spiritual and work life
In her article “Work and Meaning-Making,” Kara Martin breaks down some common misconceptions faith driven entrepreneurs have about work. For one, we can serve God while in our secular work. All work is ministry, done with the right attitude, as an act of worship to God and service to others.
This means that we can serve God wherever we are, with whatever we have, and all the gifts he has granted us. It also means we can still build relationships with others and encourage them to develop a relationship with Christ. You’re not just working for a paycheck or your boss. You’re working in order to continue God’s work of creating, sustaining, revealing, redeeming, bringing justice, and showing compassion through our ordinary work, paid or unpaid.
If your work feels meaningless, consider reconsidering how you work for God.
What is the Fruit of Your Labor (and What Do You Do With It)?
If your work feels meaningless, consider the results of your labor. While money is an important aspect of any business, it gets stale pretty quick. Status and success similarly lose their luster over time. What are you harvesting from your entrepreneurial efforts?
John Carbrey, managing director of a SaaS accelerator, says, “Tech entrepreneurs can easily fall into a pattern of striving tirelessly to succeed without ever reflecting on the purpose of their work. They feel that as long as their business is successful, everything in their life will fall into place. This might seem true for some, but for most others — myself included — business success only presents new challenges.”
While this question is similar to “Who are you working for?” it asks us to consider the long game. What’s the end game of your work? If you find that work is fueling your instant gratification, then consider how you might better steward what God has given you.
Ultimately, everything belongs to God, and faith driven entrepreneurs are called to contribute to God’s eternal kingdom, not just our own desires.
Has Work Become Your God?
Human beings were not created to find their ultimate meaning in work. Work is part of a full life, but we have to look outside of work if we want to reach our full potential. Our efforts as entrepreneurs will lack joy and meaning unless we fully embrace the magnitude of who we are. While the world may teach us to find our identity in our titles or successes, the greatest source of security is in embracing our need for Jesus, our savior.
Yes, there might be something with our work or our approach to work that feels meaningless, but in some situations, work isn’t the issue. We are social, intelligent, loving, beauty-appreciating creatures. All of that can’t be captured in work. So, break out of the “work = meaning” box. Rest in who God has made you to be outside of your career or next startup idea.
Work cannot provide ultimate meaning to your life. Is it time to reset your priorities?
Let Faith Guide You Through the Highs and Lows
We live in a fallen world, and work will never be perfectly meaningful. Although Solomon recognized that fulfilling work is a gift from God, he still suffered from meaninglessness. In developed economies where fulfillment is a high-priority need, entrepreneurs and professionals can fall prey to questing after meaning. Like an addict, we move from job to job, relationship to relationship, seeking the “high” of being fulfilled. But of course, this quest ultimately ends up leaving us more meaningless than where we began.
Times of confusion and bewilderment will come. We all wander through the desert at one time or another. This does not mean that you are automatically “doing it wrong” or “lacking faith.” Rather, some of the most faithful people have gone through meaningless periods. Imagine how Joseph felt sitting in prison for a crime he did not commit. And yet God had a plan.
If you have reset your priorities and handed control of your life over to God, then perhaps the next question should be, “What makes work meaningful or meaningless for others?” As entrepreneurs and CEOs, we have an incredible opportunity to bless our teams with meaningful work. As we’ve seen, focusing on yourself can lead to a vicious cycle of discontent. Maybe it’s also time to build a meaningful workplace for others.
As you continue wrestling with the question of what makes work meaningful or meaningless, consider diving into these Faith Driven resources:
Build community by joining a Faith Driven Foundation Group.
Reflect on this blog post, “Am I a Workaholic?”
Consider your own passions and gifts through our “Working Genius” series with Patrick Lencioni.
Faith Driven Entrepreneur exists to support entrepreneurs at all stages. Whether you’re about to start your first LLC or you’re entering year 10 as CEO of a large company, we have your back. However you choose to connect, we’re glad to have you as part of our community.
Related articles
"Are you a rich young ruler?" is a question every faith-driven leader must honestly assess if they are to lead an organization with faithful integrity in alignment with Biblical beliefs, principles, and priorities (what I will call business a better way).