There is nothing the Bible to suggest that it would be a sin to work a part time job while you are going to school. So yay for that! ☺ If you are trying to get a job to save up for something like college or a car, that's awesome! Good for you.
God created humans to work alongside Him in the world from the beginning. In fact, the Garden of Eden was the first place where man was called to work (Genesis 2:8, 15). Your "job" at this point in your life is to be a student and to be the best student you can be. But if you also have a job with an employer, that's perfectly all right.
The Bible does have a lot to say about the purpose of work and why we should do it. If you are a student with a job, then this applies to both school and where you earn your paycheck, no matter where it is:
Be careful not to put all your sense of significance in your work though, whether it is getting praised by your teachers or your employer. In Ecclesiastes 2:4-11, King Solomon talks about trying to find the meaning of life through projects and work. Even though he was able to feel somewhat satisfied by a job well done, his final conclusion was this: "Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun."
Our true value can only be found in our identity in Christ. It is only because of God that we can accomplish anything in our lives at all (Philippians 4:13). Keep that perspective! Yes, work is good. Doing excellent work is best. But it's not everything there is to life and is not the end-all-be-all definition of who we are.
The only reasons that you might want to avoid getting a job while you go to school are:
If none of these things are standing in the way of getting a job, then you are free to do so! If it is His will, may God lead your way to the right job for you. Keep the perspective of Jesus as you work your jobs as student and employee: "My food, said Jesus, is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work" (John 4:34).
The Bible doesn't prohibit a student from working a part-time job. Doing well at any job is an important aspect of living out your faith as a Christian. (See biblical principles above.) The only reasons you may not want to work is if your parents have said no, the job interferes with schoolwork, or if it is against the law for you to work. If none of these things are standing in the way of getting a job, then you are free to do so! Keep Jesus' perspective as you work your jobs as student and employee: "My food, said Jesus, is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work" (John 4:34).
Cat is the web producer and editor of 412teens.org. She loves audiobooks, feeding the people she cares about, and using Christmas lights to illuminate a room. When Catiana is not writing, cooking, or drawing, she enjoys spending time with her two teenage kids, five socially-awkward cats, and her amazing friend-amily.