--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Holy living consists in doing God's work…" description: "\"Holy living consists in doing God's work with a smile.\" — Mother Teresa" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51e/mother-teresa-196_god_holy-living-consists-in-doing-god-s-work_9458.jpg" --- # Holy living consists in doing God's work with a smile. ![“Holy living consists in doing God's work with a smile.” quote by Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51e/mother-teresa-196_god_holy-living-consists-in-doing-god-s-work_9458.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51e/mother-teresa-196_god_holy-living-consists-in-doing-god-s-work_9458.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51e/mother-teresa-196_god_holy-living-consists-in-doing-god-s-work_9458.jpg) > “Holy living consists in doing God's work with a smile.” [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True fulfillment arises from serving a higher purpose with joy, not merely duty. **In simple terms:** Joyful service defines holy living. Key Takeaway Serve with a smile. Themes spirituality service joy purpose humility Mood uplifting hopeful inspired Type maxim spiritual insight motivational When to use this quote - volunteering - caregiving - community projects - teaching - healthcare Key Concepts faith compassion gratitude Practical Applications - non‑profit leadership - personal spiritual practice Questions to Reflect On - How does joy change the impact of service? - Can duty be sacred without happiness? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Holy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy/) [Holy living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy-living/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Smile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smile/) ## Related quotes > [Mother Teresa once said, "Holy living consists in doing God's work with a smile." ... The last thing many believers need is to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/mother-teresa-once-said-holy-living-consists-in-doing-god-s-work-with/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [The study of Freemasonry is the study of man as a candidate for a blessed eternity. It furnishes examples of holy living, and displays…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-howard-taft/the-study-of-freemasonry-is-the-study-of-man-as-a-candidate-for-a/) [William Howard Taft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-howard-taft/) > [A high view of God leads to high worship and holy living, but a low of God leads to trivial worship and low living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-j-lawson/a-high-view-of-god-leads-to-high-worship-and-holy-living-but-a-low-of/) [Steven J Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-j-lawson/) > [God is in everyone and everything. When we save each other or guide each other or just love each other, we are doing God's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-siegel/god-is-in-everyone-and-everything-when-we-save-each-other-or-guide/) [Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/) > [God never can use any man very much till he has grace enough to forget himself entirely while doing God's work; for He will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-b-simpson/god-never-can-use-any-man-very-much-till-he-has-grace-enough-to/) [A. B. Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-b-simpson/) > [“Did I think I was doing God’s work?” he said later. “No. But I did think market efficiency was something important for the economy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lewis/did-i-think-i-was-doing-god-s-work-he-said-later-no-but-i-did-think/) [Michael Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lewis/) > [“I would eventually realize that doing God's work doesn't require involvement in some earth-changing event. Sometimes just taking the time to listen to someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-haney/i-would-eventually-realize-that-doing-god-s-work-doesn-t-require/) Jerry Haney > [“There’s no one more dangerous than someone who believes they’re doing God’s work.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-davis/there-s-no-one-more-dangerous-than-someone-who-believes-they-re-doing/) [Jane Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-davis/) > [You are doing God's work. You are doing it wonderfully well. He is blessing you, and He will bless you, --even--no, -especially--when your days…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/you-are-doing-god-s-work-you-are-doing-it-wonderfully-well-he-is/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [It's a great feeling to start the day right by doing God's work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-a-great-feeling-to-start-the-day-right-by-doing-god-s-work/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [God save us from half the people who think they're doing God's work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-winchester/god-save-us-from-half-the-people-who-think-they-re-doing-god-s-work/) [Dean Winchester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-winchester/) > [I guess if you're doing God's work, whatever you do is in His name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-zigler/i-guess-if-you-re-doing-god-s-work-whatever-you-do-is-in-his-name/) [Edward Zigler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-zigler/) > [Always let your employees come to work with a smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/always-let-your-employees-come-to-work-with-a-smile/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [When you have to work, work with a smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kapil-dev/when-you-have-to-work-work-with-a-smile/) [Kapil Dev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kapil-dev/) > [I come to work with a smile and I leave with a laugh, and I'm so grateful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-knepper/i-come-to-work-with-a-smile-and-i-leave-with-a-laugh-and-i-m-so/) [Robert Knepper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-knepper/) ## More by Mother Teresa > [Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within the reach of every hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/love-is-a-fruit-in-season-at-all-times-and-within-the-reach-of-every/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [All works of love are works of peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/all-works-of-love-are-works-of-peace/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [Keep the corners of your mouth turned up. Speak in a low, persuasive tone. Listen; be teachable. Laugh at good stories and learn to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/keep-the-corners-of-your-mouth-turned-up-speak-in-a-low-persuasive/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [I don't look at anything. Every person whether he is Hindu, Muslim or Buddhist, he is my brother, my sister. I think we all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/i-don-t-look-at-anything-every-person-whether-he-is-hindu-muslim-or/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [We may not be able to give much but we can always give the joy that springs in a heart that is in LOVE…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/we-may-not-be-able-to-give-much-but-we-can-always-give-the-joy-that/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [Maybe if I didn't pick up that one person, I wouldn't have picked up forty-two thousand...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/maybe-if-i-didn-t-pick-up-that-one-person-i-wouldn-t-have-picked-up/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [We too are called to withdraw at certain intervals into deeper silence and aloneness with God, together as a community as well as personally;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/we-too-are-called-to-withdraw-at-certain-intervals-into-deeper/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [People are unrealistic, illogical, and self-centered. Love them anyway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/people-are-unrealistic-illogical-and-self-centered-love-them-anyway/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [Recovering in a Calcutta, India hospital. I think I'm more difficult than critical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/recovering-in-a-calcutta-india-hospital-i-think-i-m-more-difficult/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [So many signatures for such a small heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/so-many-signatures-for-such-a-small-heart/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [They should give until it hurts, maybe a very small thing, maybe just a packet of cigarettes, but instead of by smoking that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/they-should-give-until-it-hurts-maybe-a-very-small-thing-maybe-just-a/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [It is by forgiving that one is forgiven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/it-is-by-forgiving-that-one-is-forgiven/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [The more we empty ourselves, the more room we give God to fill us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/the-more-we-empty-ourselves-the-more-room-we-give-god-to-fill-us/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [Joy is prayer; joy is strength: joy is love; joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/joy-is-prayer-joy-is-strength-joy-is-love-joy-is-a-net-of-love-by/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [“Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; give the world the best you've got anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/give-the-world-the-best-you-have-and-it-may-never-be-enough-give-the/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) [Explore all 951 Mother Teresa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) ## More God quotes > [I don't drink much anymore, but when I traveled with Frank Sinatra, God rest his soul, I used to drink like I could do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/i-don-t-drink-much-anymore-but-when-i-traveled-with-frank-sinatra-god/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [“God hates Hell. He hates the idea of people going there. He hates it so much that He was willing to take on human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-minton/god-hates-hell-he-hates-the-idea-of-people-going-there-he-hates-it-so/) [Evan Minton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-minton/) > [“am not suggesting that successes in academics, athletics, or vocation somehow stand outside God’s good plan. Learning and play are joys that God himself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-paul-jones/am-not-suggesting-that-successes-in-academics-athletics-or-vocation/) [Timothy Paul Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-paul-jones/) > [I pray that wherever we are and whatever duties we have in the priesthood of God, we will be united in the cause to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/i-pray-that-wherever-we-are-and-whatever-duties-we-have-in-the/) [Henry B. 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There are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/here-s-the-reality-the-image-of-a-white-jesus-has-been-used-to/) [Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/) > [The faster you go, the shorter you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-faster-you-go-the-shorter-you-are/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [A lot of people have been saying 'The 100' reminds them of 'Lord Of The Flies,' 'Lost' and 'Battlestar Galactica,' and all of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-avgeropoulos/a-lot-of-people-have-been-saying-the-100-reminds-them-of-lord-of-the/) [Marie Avgeropoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-avgeropoulos/) > [As we are coming to the end of the year, I want you to forget about the past, the failure, the negative thoughts or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-we-are-coming-to-the-end-of-the-year-i-want-you-to-forget-about/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I wonder: when a Jehovah's Witness dies and goes to Heaven, does God hide behind the door and pretend He's not home?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-celio/i-wonder-when-a-jehovah-s-witness-dies-and-goes-to-heaven-does-god/) [Brian Celio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-celio/) > [What would God have me do with my life?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/what-would-god-have-me-do-with-my-life/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [God always gets the glory when Jesus comes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louie-giglio/god-always-gets-the-glory-when-jesus-comes/) [Louie Giglio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louie-giglio/) > [“Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/do-all-the-good-you-can-by-all-the-means-you-can-in-all-the-ways-you/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [You are a God Act like one!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-leary/you-are-a-god-act-like-one/) [Timothy Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-leary/) [Browse all 37,707 God quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Holy living consists in doing God's work with a smile.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mother Teresa" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/holy-living-consists-in-doing-god-s-work-with-a-smile/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "God" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/holy-living-consists-in-doing-god-s-work-with-a-smile/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51e/mother-teresa-196_god_holy-living-consists-in-doing-god-s-work_9458.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51e/mother-teresa-196_god_holy-living-consists-in-doing-god-s-work_9458.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51e/mother-teresa-196_god_holy-living-consists-in-doing-god-s-work_9458.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Holy living consists in doing God's work with a smile.” — Mother Teresa", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Mother Teresa", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Holy living consists in doing God's...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/holy-living-consists-in-doing-god-s-work-with-a-smile/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/holy-living-consists-in-doing-god-s-work-with-a-smile/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```