Labor Day

Typically, when we remember Labor Day we laud the value of our laborers.  Employees need to feel honored for the jobs they do.  This Labor Day, though, I would like to offer a bit of a different take on working.   No, the Bible doesn’t explicitly provide commandants about what type of employees would should be, but a look at the essence of the message of spiritual living provides us some insight:
1.  We should be employed.  When Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden mankind was destined to have to work for sustenance.  In fact, God issued this proclamation, “By the sweat of your face you will eat bread, till you return to the ground, because from it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:19).  Throughout the rest of the Bible, the challenge is clear – if a man doesn’t work, he shouldn’t be allowed to eat (II Thessalonians 3:10).  I understand there are exceptions to this rule for health reasons, but the basic principle is simple, we need to work to support ourselves and our family (I Timothy 5:8)
2.  We should be fair.   Employment is not exclusive of our religion.  The way we approach a job reflects upon our values and our Lord.  Solomon counseled his subjects, “A just balance and scales belong to the Lord; all the weights of the bag are His concern.” (Proverbs 16:11).   This was so ingrained in new Christians that believers like Zacchaeus pledged to repay anyone they cheated with what might be called “interest and penalty” (Luke 19:8).  God’s people treat others with equity and fairness in every aspect of our lives – especially in business dealings.
3.  We should be contented.  When John the Baptist preached to the Jews during Jesus’ day he made it a point to discuss their work and their attitude about their work.  He counseled the tax collectors to “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.” and challenged the soldiers, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.” (Luke 3:13-14).  While there doesn’t appear to be anything wrong with advancing in our careers we need to keep our attitudes in check.  Whining and fussing about our jobs or our employers doesn’t produce a contented spirit or glorify our God.
4.  We should do a good job with a good attitude.  As Paul addressed the responsibility of believing slaves he encouraged them, “With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.” (Ephesians 6:7-8).  If slaves were compelled to do their best work with their best attitude what does that tell us about our attitude toward our employment today?
I hope we will all enjoy our Labor Day.  Additionally, I hope that we will all enjoy our labor as well!

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