Abstract
Scholars in the field of work motivation have begun to formulate contemporary theories that address the self-transcendent needs of people who work in organizations. However, the core assumptions of these theories derive from a secular sociological paradigm purporting that humans are only motivated to sustain a symbiotic relationship initiated by the larger society. Thus, these theories may not accurately explicate the true essence of transcendent work motivation – TWM (i.e. a spiritually induced process driven by a selfless need to improve the welfare of society). Therefore, based on a conceptual model synthesized from biblical exegesis of the Salvationist views of Christianity, two recent theories on TWM were critiqued. In light of the capriciousness of human nature and the skewed depiction of altruism portrayed by these theories, it was argued that the biblical ontological frame of reference provides a better ethical platform through which future studies on TWM could spring up.