Definition of Biblical Productivity for Christian Moms

Sharing is caring!

Biblical productivity honors God. Wordly productivity honors your ego. Biblical productivity serves others. Wordly productivity serves pride. Biblical productivity embodies peace. Wordly productivity embodies anxiety.

As moms, it is important that we master productivity God’s way, not the world’s way. Culture tells us to hustle. Jesus tells us to rest. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. He commands us 365 times not to fear or have anxiety. We are called to love the Lord and love our neighbors.

Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, I was a project manager in the fast-paced tech industry for nearly a decade. My expertise in organization, systems, schedules, routines, planning and achieving has translated seamlessly into my new season of being a stay at home mom. Now, I have the privilege of sharing all of my tips and tricks for time management and goal setting here with you, but through a biblical lens.

In this post, I’m going to help you understand how to leave the hustle culture behind and embrace biblical productivity. For years, I believed hustle was a requirement. However, hustle is not holy. Let’s talk about how we renew our minds about productivity and be productive in a God-honoring way.

What is the worldly definition of productive?

Merriam-Webster defines “productive” as “having the quality or power of producing especially in abundance” and “effective in bringing about.”

In our modern culture, we tend to focus on the “in abundance” part. We see that Sally Sue does “XYZ,” so we attempt to keep up with her. Then we see Mary May doing “ABC,” so we add on her achievements to our list of “to do’s”. When we focus on abundance over effectiveness, we’re no longer truly productive, at least not in the biblical sense.

What is biblical productivity?

Now that we have our worldly definition, let’s compare that with what the bible says and how Jesus lived.

The world says we should produce in abundance. However, Jesus never said that productive equals filling each minute with tasks. Jesus himself rested with the Father. He woke early to pray. He reminded Martha when she was irritated by not having help from Mary that Mary chose what is best (sitting and listening to Him) and that it would not be taken from her.

The Bible contains scripture for each day of the year to remind us not to fear or be anxious. A lot of what drives our productivity is fear — fear of what others think of us, fear of not having “enough,” fear of not being enough. We must humble ourselves and look to the Lord. He has promised He will provide.

²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

Matthew 6:28-33 (NIV)

The Bible also instructs us in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,”. Even in Eden work was part of God’s plan. Genesis 2:15 tells us “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Work is intentionally part of God’s plan for our lives. Work is good. It’s our heart posture that we must watch carefully.

If I were to write the definition of biblical productivity, I would write:

Biblical productivity is the act of intentionally and wholeheartedly producing good works that honor God and love our neighbors, without selfish ambition.

Kirsten Weinsheimer

Be sure to save this article for later!

Don’t forget to pin this resource so you can come back and reference any time!

How do I know if I’m being biblically productive? 

These are some questions I’ve began to ask myself regularly. As a recovering “hustler” and “boss babe” (queue the eyeroll), I am working to root myself in God’s will for my life. Here are some questions you should be asking yourself when it comes to biblical productivity.

Where is my time going?

In this post, I discuss how you can become a biblically productive mom and I recommend that you conduct a detailed time audit to determine how you are actually spending your time. Once you know how your time is spent, you can make logical (and biblical) adjustments to better steward your time the following day. His mercies are new every morning ♥️

Download the free Biblical Productivity Planner

Access this free printable that will walk you through the time management audit and how to create your own daily schedule. Just enter your email and I’ll send it straight to your inbox (be sure to check your spam/promotions folders if you don’t see it).

Do I use my time serve others?

Am I more focused on serving myself or serving those around me? Is my primary focus what I want to get accomplished for the day or am I more concerned about spending quality time with the little hands that are tugging at my pant leg? Am I more concerned with my husband helping me around our home or more concerned with communicating with him about his day? Do I see opportunities to step in and help a sister in Christ, but decide not to because I’m “too busy?”

Do I compare my outputs to those around me?

I touched on this earlier, but comparison is very damaging. God equipped you with your unique talents, gifts, within your specific circumstances. Comparison will steal your joy or it will feed your pride. If you struggle with comparison, I’ve also talked about it in relation to trusting God’s timing and overcoming obstacles to achieve your goals.

Just because Sally Sue seems to lead bible study, homeschool her 6 kids, goes on quarterly getaways with her husband, writes books, and serves in church every week does not mean that you need to do all or any of those things to be productive. Focus on what God has called YOU to do and be obedient in that.

What are my God-given gifts and do I use those to serve those around me?

He has gifted you with special qualities and He expects you to use those gifts for His glory.

⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)

What are your gifts? How are you using them? If you aren’t, why is that? Do you not have time? If you feel like you don’t have the time, it could simply be a time management issue. I have a free template you can download below if you need help creating a simple schedule.

Don’t forget to grab your free biblical productivity planner!

This free resource will help you answer all of the above questions and more!

Words of Encouragement

Finally, I want to leave you with these words of encouragement. Commit your work to the Lord. Not to the point of anxiety. Not at the expense of serving others. Rest when he says to rest.

²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

Put away your doubt and trust in Him. Remember the miracle of the 5 loaves and 2 fish (read Matthew 14:13-21)? It must be remembered that He will multiply whatever you have. It’s not about how little or much you have. It’s about giving whatever you have to Him and allowing Him to work through you for His kingdom and glory.

Biblical productivity is the act of intentionally and wholeheartedly producing good works that honor God and love our neighbors, without selfish ambition.