Make a living: to earn enough money to buy the things you need.
Labor.
“18 For the Scripture says, ‘You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.’ And in another place, ‘Those who work deserve their pay!’” —1 Timothy 5:18
“23 Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!” —Proverbs 14:23
“10 Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: ‘Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.’ 11 Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. 12 We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.” —2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
Wisdom and knowledge.
“3 A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. 4 Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.” —Proverbs 24:3-4
Product.
“24 She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.” —Proverbs 31:24
Capital.
“20 The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’” —Matthew 25:20
Finding a career is what we do to make a living. Discovering our calling is what we do to make a life.
Seek God first.
“33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” —Matthew 6:33
Live with purpose.
“10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” —Ephesians 2:10
Serve others.
“11 The greatest among you must be a servant. 12 But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” —Matthew 23:11-12
Leave a legacy.
“1 O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, 2 for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past — 3 stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. 4 We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders. 5 For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, 6 so the next generation might know them — even the children not yet born — and they in turn will teach their own children. 7 So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. 8 Then they will not be like their ancestors — stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.” —Psalm 78:1-8