Work and the Meaning of Life with David Bahnsen

Do you work to live…or live to work? For many, the answer is simple: “I work to make a living.”

But what if there’s more to work than just earning a paycheck? Could it be that work holds deeper meaning—something essential to who we are and how we’re made? David Bahnsen joins us today to offer a perspective on work you might not have considered.

David Bahnsen is the Founder, Managing Partner, and Chief Investment Officer of The Bahnsen Group, a national private wealth management firm managing over $7 billion in client assets. He is a frequent guest on CNBC, Bloomberg, Fox News, and Fox Business. He is also the author of Full Time: Work and the Meaning of Life. 

Rethinking Work and Identity

We live in a world that often tells us our identity has nothing to do with our work. Unfortunately, that idea has not only crept into culture but also into the church. But let's be honest: that’s simply not true. Our identity is tied to our work—not in the sense that a job title defines us, but because we are made in the image of a working God.

We all instinctively know this. We don’t look at someone who is contributing meaningfully to society and compare them equally to someone who spends every day in idleness. That’s not about transactional worth—it’s about reflecting the nature of our Creator. God created us to be productive, useful, and active. That’s not a controversial claim. It’s Genesis 1. Work isn’t all of who we are, but it is a vital part of who we were created to be.

Too often, we treat faith like an add-on. We make decisions about money, career, education, even family, and then sprinkle a few Bible verses on top. But the goal isn’t to balance faith and work—it’s to integrate them. That begins by grounding our understanding of work in a creational theology: God made work good.

What we need in the church is not more dichotomy between sacred and secular, but an integrated vision that sees every good job—yes, even spreadsheets, sales, and software—as part of God’s design. This mindset shift must begin in our pulpits. Our congregations need to hear that their Monday through Friday labor is not second-tier spiritual activity. It is sacred.

The Relationship Between Work and Rest

Instead of chasing a “work-life balance,” Scripture offers a “work-rest paradigm.” God modeled six days of work followed by one day of rest—not the other way around. The purpose of rest isn’t to escape work; it's to be restored for more of it. Rest has meaning because work has meaning.

That’s why we push back on the cultural narrative that says rest, leisure, and early retirement are life’s ultimate goals. While rest is essential, its purpose is to equip us to return to the good, God-glorifying work He’s called us to do.

Culture often treats retirement as the finish line—an end to productivity, as if people cease to offer value once they reach a certain age. But that view is deeply flawed.

We must challenge the financial industry’s narrative that the goal is to accumulate enough so that we never have to work again. That mindset undermines the dignity and purpose of work. Yes, physical limitations may alter what work looks like in later years, but wisdom, experience, and the capacity to contribute remain. Companies and churches alike lose something precious when they usher older workers out instead of tapping into their gifts.

Job, Career, or Calling?

So, how should we think about our work? Is it just a job? A stepping stone? Or something more?

Every Christian, no matter their vocation, should view their work as a calling. That doesn’t mean God gives us a divine word about every job transition, but it does mean that the act of producing goods and services, solving problems, and serving others is inherently meaningful. That’s our calling: to work with excellence, for the good of others, and the glory of God.

To young adults wondering what to do with their lives: Don’t believe the lie that you need to find your dream job tomorrow. Instead, embrace the next opportunity in front of you with excellence, humility, and a long-term view.

Work is not just a means to a paycheck. It’s how we serve our neighbors, develop skills, build character, and participate in God’s ongoing work in the world. Some jobs may be stepping stones—but every job matters. The key is to remember the why behind you