Working Multiple Jobs

Oct 4, 2024

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Ecclesiastes 3:13 says, “every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God.”

The Bible calls work a gift. But if you have to work more than one job, it might not feel like it. Today, we’ll offer a few practical and spiritual insights for working multiple jobs.

Work: A Gift and a Struggle

God created us for work. Throughout the Bible, we see the importance of work, not just for our own benefit but for God’s glory. From the beginning, Adam and Eve’s work in the garden was meant to be a gift—an opportunity to partner with God in cultivating His creation. However, with the fall of humanity and the entrance of sin, work became a struggle (Genesis 3). Despite this, our desire for meaningful work remains. In today’s world, this struggle is evident in the growing number of people working multiple jobs.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 7.7 million workers held two jobs in 2022, with 400,000 working two full-time jobs simultaneously. The numbers are likely even higher now. So, how can we manage the demands of multiple jobs while keeping a biblical perspective on work?

Practical Tips for Managing Multiple Jobs

If you’re considering a second job to make ends meet or to save more, here are some practical tips:

1. Keep Jobs Separate

Use tools like Asana, Trello, or even a traditional planner to stay organized with your tasks, schedules, and contacts for each job. Keeping clear boundaries between jobs helps prevent confusion and burnout.

2. Communicate Effectively

Regular communication with your employers, co-workers, and customers is key when juggling multiple jobs. Keep expectations clear and make sure deadlines and responsibilities are well-defined.

3. Manage Your Time

Set boundaries and create a schedule that allows you to manage your workload without overextending yourself. If you’re working from home, establish a dedicated workspace and take regular breaks to maintain focus and energy.

4. Take Care of Yourself Spiritually

It’s easy to let your spiritual life slide when your schedule is packed, but your relationship with God should remain a priority. Trying to handle everything on your own can lead to burnout and idolatry, as work becomes the center of your life.

Is Work Becoming an Idol?

It’s essential to recognize when work is no longer just work, but has become an idol. Here are some signs that work may be taking God’s place in your heart:

Your self-worth is tied to meeting income goals.
You sacrifice rest, family time, or church to work more hours.
You can’t stop thinking about work tasks, emails, or deadlines.
You feel constantly stressed, discouraged, and exhausted.
You believe financial security is the sole purpose of work.
You are obsessed with productivity, success, and promotion.
You see your paycheck, rather than God, as your provider.
You are reluctant to give generously despite your income.

If any of these resonate with you, it may be time to pause and refocus on Christ. Work is not about how much you can achieve or how much you earn—it’s about Who you are working for.

Finding Rest in Christ

When work becomes overwhelming, the solution isn’t to work harder—it’s to rest in Jesus. As you place Christ at the center of your work, you’ll begin to see opportunities to reach others, grow spiritually, and trust God as your provider. Satisfying work isn’t about what you do; it’s about Who you are serving. With the right focus, even managing multiple jobs can become an act of worship, reflecting God’s grace and provision in your life.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

I will be selling a home that was part of my divorce settlement. What amount should be tithed from the sale of that property?
Due to a medical issue, I had to go on disability at 55 and was then automatically switched to Social Security at 65. I'm wondering if there's a way I can turn off the Social Security benefits I'm receiving since I had intended to work until 72. I received the lowest amount because I had to leave the job market early, and I'm trying to figure out how to recoup that.
I've been introduced to whole life insurance policies and told that you can buy one and use it to save money. As you save, you can borrow against it over time, making it like a two-in-one deal. What do you think about that? Is it legitimate?
I have a mortgage and have four years left to pay on it. The balance is about $25,000—about $1,000 a month. How can I pay it off in two years or less?
I retired at age 62 and just turned 65. My full retirement age is 66 in 10 months, and I'm currently drawing Social Security. I pastor two rural churches, and they contribute $300 a month to my retirement plan. Would it be okay for me to also contribute money to a Roth IRA or another type of retirement plan?

Resources Mentioned:

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