Pastors work on Sundays—and no one seems to mind.
Doctors, nurses, police officers? They work Sundays too. Nobody bats an eyelid.
But if I go to my shop job on a Sunday, I’m crucified like a backslider.
Surely, something’s not right.
For Christians, the question of whether to work on a Sunday shouldn’t come down to what kind of job you have.
Even a store cashier might have valid reasons for working Sundays.
Our true measure should be found in Jesus’ words:
Then Jesus said, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” – Luke 6:9
So ask yourself:
- Am I doing good or evil by working this Sunday?
- Am I saving life or destroying it?
Some people need that Sunday paycheck to feed their family.
They’re not in a position to risk losing their job by refusing Sunday shifts.
In that case, work on Sunday. Provide for your family.
Because, as Paul said:
“If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” – 1 Timothy 5:8
In that scenario, the good and life-giving thing to do is work.
But for others, it’s not about survival—it’s about greed.
They could easily take Sundays off but choose not to.
Why?
To chase more money.
And in doing so, they neglect meeting with other believers (Hebrews 10:25),
and fall into the trap of loving money (1 Timothy 6:9–10) more than spiritual growth.
In that case, working Sunday isn’t good. It’s not saving life.
It’s doing harm—to your soul, and to your community.
Here’s the bottom line:
You have the freedom to work on a Sunday—but let your choice be guided by what’s good and life-giving, not what’s selfish or soul-destroying.
I knew a Christian who worked at the Guinness factory.
He didn’t have the luxury of picking his shifts—everyone rotated through Sundays.
When his turn came, he worked.
But outside of that, he made time for small group, prayer, meals with believers—whatever it took.
Because church is more than one hour on a Sunday.
Church is a community. It’s God’s people doing life together.
If you have to miss a Sunday for valid reasons, that’s okay.
Just don’t miss the bigger picture.
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