Editing Protestant work ethic (section)

== Basis in Protestant theology ==

According to the theory, Protestants, beginning with [[Martin Luther]], conceptualized worldly work as a duty which benefits both the individual and society as a whole.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://theconversation.com/how-martin-luther-gave-us-the-roots-of-the-protestant-work-ethic-86350 | title=How Martin Luther gave us the roots of the Protestant work ethic | date=November 2017 }}</ref> Thus, the [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] idea of [[good works]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/are-good-works-necessary-for-salvation | title=Are Good Works Necessary for Salvation? }}</ref> was transformed for Protestants into an obligation to consistently work diligently as a sign of [[Grace (Christianity)|grace]]. Whereas Catholicism teaches that good works are required of Catholics as a necessary manifestation of the faith they received, and that faith apart from works is dead and barren, the Calvinist theologians taught that only those who were [[Predestination|predestined]] to be saved would be saved.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cru.org/sg/en/stories/life-and-relationships/how-do-we-make-sense-of-predestination-calvinism-arminianism.html | title=Predestination Calvinism &#124; Cru Singapore }}</ref>

For Protestants, salvation is a gift from God; this is the Protestant distinction of ''[[sola gratia]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://lutheranreformation.org/theology/sola-gratia/ | title=Sola Gratia | date=June 13, 2016 }}</ref> In light of salvation being a gift of grace, Protestants viewed work as stewardship given to them. Thus Protestants were not working in order to achieve salvation but viewed work as the means by which they could be a blessing to others. Hard work and frugality were thought to be two important applications of being a steward of what God had given them. Protestants were thus attracted to these qualities and strove to reach them.

There are many specific theological examples in the Bible used to support a work ethic. Old Testament examples abound, such as God's command in Exodus 20:8–10 to "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God."<ref>{{cite web |title=Bible Gateway passage: Exodus 20 – English Standard Version |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+20&version=ESV}}</ref> Another passage from the Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament provides an example: "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man."<ref>{{cite web |title=Proverbs 6:6–11 ESV – Bible Gateway |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+6%3A6-11&version=ESV}}</ref>

The New Testament also provides many examples, such as the Parable of the Ten Minas in the Book of Luke.<ref>{{cite web |title=Luke 19:11–27 ESV – Bible Gateway |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+19%3A11-27&version=ESV}}</ref>

The Apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians said "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat."<ref>{{cite web |title=2 Thessalonians 3:6–12 ESV – Bible Gateway |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Thessalonians+3%3A6-12&version=ESV}}</ref>