As we approach Labor Day, I admit a growing curiosity about a new work term I’ve heard more and more in recent weeks. The term? I thought you’d never ask! Quiet quitting.
Originally authored by economist Mark Boldger during a Texas A&M economics symposium held in Venezuela back in 2009, quiet quitting became a mainstream term in 2022, thanks in large part to a viral Tik-Tok video. While a seemingly fresh thought to most of us, it is a phrase previously used by best selling authors like Nick Adams and renowned economists like Thomas Sowell (Wikipedia, Quiet Quitting, 2022).
In his recent article, “Quiet Quitting: One Solution,” published on Korn Ferry and shared on LinkedIn, consultant Daniel Goldman defines quiet quitting as doing only the bare minimum at work. According to one source quoted in Goleman’s article, quiet quitting means “you are still performing your duties but you’re no longer subscribing to the hustle culture mentality that work has to be your life.”
I am certainly in favor of work/life balance. However, I admittedly struggle with giving less than your all at work (or anything for that matter). Personally, I don’t have a role that falls neatly into a prescribed box. To do my job, I have to recognize what demands my attention and what needs to be completed. Sometimes that means coming in early and staying late. Honestly, the concept of quiet quitting puzzles me.
Biblically, I believe that God wants us to work hard when we are work but also recognizes the need for us to rest. The Lord set up the ultimate work/life balance when He established the Sabbath.
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.
Genesis 2:1-3 (English Standard Version)
Another take away from Scripture regarding work is that we are to do our work well and with all our ability, remembering that we honor and worship God through our work and how we perform our job.
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24 (New Living Translation)
How about you friend? Is quiet quitting a term you are familiar with? If so, what do you think of it?
Labor Day serves as a time to celebrate the modern worker—particularly those who get up and go to work everyday simply doing their job so that they can provide for themselves and for their families.
Did you know that God has a purpose for our life and our work? God himself is a worker and the Lord has created us in his image. Work is part of being created in that image. I believe that the work we do is important to the Lord. Scripture is ripe with stories of God calling a number of people to complete a specific work. Our work matters to God.
In the New Testament, we learn that each of the disciples worked. Among them were fishermen, craftsmen, and tax collectors. Jesus himself worked as a carpenter. Throughout the Scriptures, we find people who work doing all kinds of things and performing all types of services.
But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.”
John 5:17 (NLT)
Work certainly has changed in my lifetime as I am sure it has in yours. I’ve been working for 40+ years. Work is something I know well and something I cherish. Terri and I laugh at ourselves because we are both hooked on work. Addicted almost.
To be clear, T and I both believe and understand the importance of work/life balance. Admittedly, to people looking in from the outside, it may not look like it. We both work hard—-in part because it is a way for us to worship the Lord in addition to earning money and helping others.
Interested in learning more about Labor Day? Checkout these previous posts on my blog about Labor Day:
Sunday Morning Prayer | Labor Day Prayer
The Lord, our God, created us for work and even commands us to work to the degree that we are each able. But more than that, work is a way that we can worship our Lord and give Him a fragrant offering pleasing to Him.
As you celebrate the Labor Day weekend with your family and friends, I pray that you are blessed and perhaps re-imagine how your work advances the Gospel and grows the Kingdom of God.
Until next time, dear reader. May God bless you and may God bless the United States of America.
Go in peace,
The Devotional Guy™
The Devotional Guy™ 
I hadn’t heard the term quiet quitting before, but it’s a good description of giving-less-than-my-best behavior.
The description reminds me of something similar: malicious obedience. “The boss said to wash the van. I don’t care if it’s raining.”
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I actually read an article on quiet quitting just today, on the BBC (what I usually call the Biased Broadcasting Corporation)
Part of it is absolutely right – we shouldn’t do excess hours just for the sake of it. We need to do our job, and being available 24/7 [for emails/phone during covid was not h althy hence the push back with quiet quitting, so the article said] isn’t healthy
Where I didn’t agree with the article is the bare minimum part…that just isn’t right to me as a Christian
The article I read was more to do with people working excess hours because everybody else does and because everybody wants the next big promotion, but realising that they are exhausted and can’t carry on at that pace
The problem there is that an extra 20 hours a week steps on the toes of others, and doesn’t give a balanced view of the real working situation my perspective on this one anyway
What is labour day weekend?
I know the term, but have no clue what it is actually means?
Andy B
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Great comments and observations, Andy. In America, Labor Day is a federal holiday paying homage to the contributions and achievements of American workers. It is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September—thus creating a long holiday weekend. Hope that helps.
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That helps a lot.
Thanks for this.
I always did wonder what it was
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You’re super welcome 🙏
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