Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise. Prov. 6:6
Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life. John 6:27
Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good. Eph. 4:28
Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. Col. 3:23
If a prophet desires to abide with you, and if he is a tradesman, let him work and eat. However, if he has no trade, according to your understanding see to it that as a Christian, he will not live with you idle. Didache (c. 80–140, E), 7.381
Refrain from much business, and you will never sin. For those who are occupied with much business also commit many sins. For they are distracted about their affairs and are not at all serving their Lord. Hermas (c. 150, W), 2.33
Grant now that there may be some righteousness in business, secure from the duty of watchfulness against covetousness and falsehood. . . . I acknowledge that I cannot exercise the trade of pandering, or keep that kind of place for my neighbor’s benefit. So, too, the prohibition of murder shows me that a trainer of gladiators is also excluded from the church. Tertullian (c. 200, W), 3.67
If he will pass through temples, with what mouth will a Christian seller of frankincense . . . spit down upon and blow out the smoking altars? After all, he himself has supplied it [with incense]? . . . Therefore, no art, no profession, and no trade that assists the equipping or forming of idols can be free from the title of idolatry. Tertullian (c. 200, W), 3.68
If anyone alleges the pretense of his own work [as his excuse for neglecting worship], he is a despiser, “offering pretenses for his sins.” Let such a person know that the trades of the faithful are our secondary employment. The worship of God is our primary vocation. Therefore, follow your trades as you are able, in order to maintain your livelihood. However, make the worship of God your main business. As our Lord said, “Do not labor for the meat that perishes, but for that which endures unto everlasting life.” Apostolic Constitutions (compiled c. 390, E), 7.423
Attend to your employment with all appropriate seriousness, so that you will always have sufficient funds to support both yourselves and those who are needy. In that way, you will not burden the church of God. . . . Some of us are fishermen, tentmakers, and farmers, so that we may never be idle. Solomon says, “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways diligently and become wiser than she.” Apostolic Constitutions (compiled c. 390, E), 7.424; extended discussion: 3.64–3.68