Impact

Hard Labor

Labor Day is coming and we all look forward to a day off from work. The day is set aside to celebrate the hard work that Americans perform making America the most productive place on the earth. It’s good to take a break from our work to enjoy some rest and a slower pace even if it is for a brief time.

Labor Day is coming and we all look forward to a day off from work. The day is set aside to celebrate the hard work that Americans perform making America the most productive place on the earth. It’s good to take a break from our work to enjoy some rest and a slower pace even if it is for a brief time.
If we were honest most of us think work is a four letter word. We don’t enjoy our jobs and may even wish to not work at all. For us work is a curse. The evidence of this attitude is all around us as many of us have lost our God given work ethic.
As I have opportunity to teach the Goodsense financial budgeting courses, one of the most important lessons we can learn is that work is a BLESSING! It may not be easy or always fulfilling but from God’s perspective it has a spiritual and eternal purpose. Even before God cursed the ground after Adam and Eve sinned in the garden he gave them the responsibility to care for the Garden of Eden. He gave them work to do. It would become significantly more difficult after they sinned but nonetheless it was work.
As men who want to be an example we need to remember some things about our work.
• God is a worker. Genesis chapter gives us a clear understanding of this through the creation story
• God is our master so be diligent. Whatever you are doing work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people because you know you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24
• Be purposeful in your work. Most of us have to provide for our families and God takes this seriously. But if someone does not provide for his own, especially his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8
• Be Grateful. He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ 18 Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, Deuteronomy 8:17-18
Most of all we need to remember that God values us not for what we do or how much we earn but for who we are… His beloved children redeemed through the sacrifice of his son Jesus. We should be dedicating ourselves to the Lord through our work. He is our real boss. So work hard as unto the Lord and know that his approval will guarantee success.
Enjoy Labor Day!