The Christian Concept of Work

Work is the unfolding of our God-given mental and physical powers through their utilization towards a serious and sincere goal. Through their work, human beings participate in God's plan for creation. Accordingly, work is much more than just gainful employment. In allegiance with the teachings of the Catholic Social Doctrine, the Kolping Society bases its endeavors on a three-dimensional concept of work.

Accordingly, work is simultaneously:

· an opportunity and purpose for the development of the human person;

· a service to the community and for the common good;

· a responsible interaction with the Creation.

Taking this into account, human work becomes not only a human right, but also an obligation. Here, with explicit reference to the ideas of Adolph Kolping, the starting point for the Kolping Society is the fundamental parity of all human work. At the same time, the Kolping Society proceeds on the premise that it is absolutely essential that a person's gainful employment provide the security of an appropriate living standard for himself/herself and his/her family.

Source: International Kolping Society: [Guidelines for the world of work]