Martin Luther brought on the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. His views on Christianity were significantly different than the Roman Catholic Church’s view. The Roman view was that vocation was only significant when your vocation was religious, i.e. priest, monk, nun, or other church worker.

Luther asserted that God gave us our individual vocation to His glory. If I am a dairy maid, then I am a dairy maid to God’s glory. He has put me in that vocation in order to serve Him and our fellow man. When our attitude is oriented toward God and man we will be more faithful that we serve to our best effort and to the highest ethics of our vocation.

In respect to that in Luther’s mountainous amount of writing, a large part of it had to do with vocation. The following is one of those writings:

“God’s blessings don’t come to those who are sleepy and lazy. Solomon didn’t meant to prohibit work when he said, ‘The Lord gives food to those he loves while they sleep.” (Psalm 127:2). He wanted to say that we should have peaceful, rested consciences. Work shouldn’t disturb the restful sleep God gives to those who have faith and confidence in him. We should have peace of mind and clear consciences. Christ says, ‘So don’t ever worry about tomorrow… Each day has enough trouble of its own’ (Matthew 6:34). Don’t create your own unhappiness. Sleep well, and don’t ask, ‘What are we going to eat? … What are we going to drink?’ (Matthew 6:31)

I don’t mean people should be lazy loafers. They should work. God doesn’t give his blessings to those who are lazy and lie around snoring. He wants our corrupt natures to be controlled and killed. As Paul says, ‘Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their corrupt nature along with its passions and desires’ (Galatians 5:24).

Although it’s God’s blessing that brings us what we need, not our work, God still wants us to do our duty and work diligently at the job we are called to do. That way we’ll get our exercise so that we don’t become lazy. As a non-Christian poet once said, ‘By nature all people would prefer not to work and would like to do what they want.’ We can’t give in to loafing and laziness. Instead we should work diligently and faithfully to do what is required of us. Even in times of hardship, exhausting work, and persecution, we should wait cheerfully for the Lord’s blessing.”

[quoted from 365 devotional readings From Martin Luther Through Faith Alone James Galvin General Editor p July 26]