Tomorrow America celebrates a national holiday called Labor Day.  Hundreds of Millions of Americans will be given the day off from work to spend it in relaxation and rest. Yet, how many truly understand that God is vitally interested in them and especially their work.

I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast, and in a moment we’ll talk about the theology of work found in the Bible, stay tuned…

...That song I just played was a hot record in the year 1955 recorded by Tennessee Ernie Ford. People went wild for it! I remember it distinctly as it hit a tender nerve in the American psychic. Labor has always been a subject of personal and practical concern for all people. Why? Well obviously because the vast majority of human beings must work or labor to live. Now this American holiday called Labor Day, is a special day celebrated on the first Monday in September in honor of the working class. It was initiated in the U.S. first in 1882 in New York City . In 1894 the U.S. Congress made the day a legal holiday. Thus, parades, and speeches by labor leaders and political figures mark Labor Day celebrations to this day. 

However, what does the average working man or woman feel about this holiday other than it is a good thing to have a day off? Well, I believe our newest generation has not the faintest idea what this is all about. In fact, I think our younger generation today hasn’t a sufficient understanding of the place and value of work, apart from providing a living for them and their families. Therefore, I want to talk about the THEOLOGY OF WORK found in the bible, and give you a look at a good supply of God’s Word on the matter. All of course, to help you better understand how important this subject is for your relationship to God and eternity. But before I get down to business on this “no-business,” holiday, let’s pause one more time for this moment of music…

… It’s unfortunate but the word “work,” today for many has become a new four-letter word! Amazingly societies go through cycles on this issue. One generation works hard and plays little. The next generation reverses this trend. I believe we are living in that reversed era, where the goal of most is to play long and hard, and to work little and least as possible. Every Friday the TGIF crowd revels in the fact that the weekend is here as if the five other days were a “living in Hell” experience. You see for those who regard work as some kind of punishment on mankind, they need to be reminded that work for the human race was God’s original intention and purpose.  Well on that note, let’s look into what the Bible has to say about work, and then you can evaluate your own feelings on the matter and consider God’s as well.

To begin, we must explore the Bible’s teaching on the theology of work, and to do that we need to define the very term itself. I read in Webster’s New World Dictionary that “labor” is defined as, “physical or mental exertion, work or toil.”  It’s counterpart the word “work” is defined about the same for its definition is,  “physical and mental effort exerted to do or make something; or a purposeful labor or activity, or toil.” Well, with that definition one can see why many consider work or labor a “negative,”thing! Yet amazingly, in the Bible God gives it a totally different meaning and purpose. Now for simplicity sake, I’ve outlined labor and work as found the Bible in the following manner. We find that for those who believe in God through Jesus Christ have four basic truths to consider,

(1)   WE ARE TO LABOR BECAUSE IT REFLECTS THE IMAGE OF GOD

You see, the Bible begins with the astounding picture that our Creator God is a “working God!” We read in Scripture,

Genesis 1:1 ( NLT )  “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Genesis 1:31 ( NLT )  “Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way. This all happened on the sixth day.”

Genesis 2:1-3 ( NLT )  “So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. 2 On the seventh day, having finished his task, God rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from his work of creation.”

The Bible opens with the enormous picture of a working God relentlessly fashioning the entire creation down to the last molecule of the earth and all its creatures living upon it. Yes, God was at His job of bringing all things into existence out of nothing. But there’s more! Since that time, we are told that everything that had its beginning, that is the entire universe, well it all just doesn’t continue on by itself. No, God is still seen as the ever-working God, for since the beginning of time, He is busy “sustaining” the Creation! Yes, God created and fashioned everything in all its beauty and keeps it going. We read this in,

Hebrews 1:3 ( NLT )  “ He [God] sustains the universe by the mighty power of his command...

Colossians 1:16-17 ( NLT )  “Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—kings, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through him and for him. 17 He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together.”

Indeed, God is an ever-working God creating and sustaining the beauty of His creative works. Now in light of that, we are told an amazing truth. When God fashioned the first human beings, Adam and Eve, he made them to be “like” Himself! Scripture records,

Genesis 1:27-28 ( NLT )  “So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and told them, “Multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. Be masters over the fish and birds and all the animals.””

Thus, our very first point of a theology of work for mankind is this ¾ We are created in the very image and likeness of God. Therefore God expects us to reflect that image which very strongly is seen in the fact that we are to be like Him, to work and labor like Him, and to produce creativity and maintain it on His behalf. Now many people today think “work or labor” is a result of the curse of God on mankind’s “fall” in the Garden of Eden. This is not so. We read in Scripture,

Genesis 2:15 ( NLT )  “The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and care for it.”

Genesis 1:28 ( NLT )  “God blessed them and told them, “Multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. Be masters over the fish and birds and all the animals.””

The opportunity to labor and the command to fulfill this was part of God’s original commission to all humanity. So we must realize that Paradise in reality had chores, although they were originally a labor of love.  Someone has said, “labor is only work if you’d rather be doing something else!” I like that, for it expresses a truth. All work and labor can either be a joy or a burden depending on our attitude towards it. As far as God’s concerned, we as God’s people should labor joyously and faithfully because to do so reflects God’s very image in and through us. This brings me to a second truth to consider,

(2) WE ARE TO LABOR BECAUSE IT IS MAN’S OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE 

GLORY TO GOD

Yes, God created all things to show forth His own glory. Indeed, the Bible speaks of this often in its teachings about the Creation itself. For instance we read,

Psalms 8:1 ( NLT )  “O LORD, our Lord, the majesty of your name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens.”

Psalms 19:1 ( NLT )  “The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship.”

Psalms 111:3 ( NLT )  “Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails.”

Romans 11:36 ( NLT )  “For everything comes from him; everything exists by his power and is intended for his glory. To him be glory evermore. Amen.”

How important it is to see this! All humanity, especially those who have been re-born from Heaven above, Christians that is, need to realize we were created to labor and work and to be like our Father in Heaven. So to be like Him, we are to maintain His creation in the beauty of His holiness, and more to bring into existence our own creativity and beauty to glorify God through our work and labors. Now unfortunately it is sin which hinders this original creative order.

Today as a result of God’s curse against us, all labor has increased in toil and hardship. Why? Because the Bible says sin entered the world by man’s disobedience to love, honor and obey God’s will for existence. Moreover, sin has also hindered our creative abilities. Although there are to this day marvelous works and masterpieces of genius and creativity ¾ know this, it is nothing what man was originally created able to do. Additionally, our efforts are also hindered by sin, and even our genius is seriously thwarted, not to mention our mental capacities. Today we use just a miniscule of the brainpower originally God endowed mankind with. Imagine what we could do if all of our brain capacity were harnessed for God’s glory.

However, the fact remains God wants everyone, none excluded, to be involved in meaningful gainful and God honoring work and labor. This of course covers the gamut of our cultural, physical, social and spiritual world we live in.

Now as we examine a theology of work, we come to a third premise found in the Bible. It is,

(2)   WE ARE TO LABOR MAINTAINING A BALANCE OF WORK & REST

Remember God’s words and lesson found in the creation. Six days God performed the massive task of creating and fashioning the universe and our world. In a continuous cycle of solar days, God created all that there is. There can be no other conclusion. We read in

Exodus 31:17 ( NLT )  “… For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, but he rested on the seventh day and was refreshed.””

Friend, do you realize God planned a special cycle of work and rest for mankind? Now realize God didn’t rest after six days because He was tired. How foolish to think that an Omnipotent God could grow tired. No, the Bible plainly says the “rest” spoken of at the end of creation was to “cease” from his labors and to “reflect” upon it. In a very similar manner, although much more since we are finite beings, God intended for all mankind and even the beasts of burden to “rest” after a six day period. How sad today, the Lord’s Day has become just another workday. In some societies continuous work schedules are placed on the laborer with no day off except perhaps after a few weeks of work. This is unbiblical and even the world of medicine has come to see our humanity needs systematic rest on a weekly basis to maintain the physical, emotional and mental stability of the whole being. So, this time of rest must be guarded by a proper balance as God has defined ¾ no more than six days of work, and a FULL day to rest, to reflect upon the past days and of course to “give glory to God,” through public worship and praise.

Friend, do you regularly worship and praise God publicly with others in a local Bible believing Church? Or, are you like so many who may never attend, or at best attend sporadically when you feel like it? If so, you are not pleasing to God and worse all your work, no matter how humanly valuable it is, is not at all pleasing to God either. Let me give you a verse to ponder considering this.

Proverbs 21:4 ( KJV )  “A high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.”

Imagine that! What’s wrong with the labor of a farmer? Farming is a wonderful profession and life, but here God says even the work, the good work that benefits society, well in God’s eyes can be evil if it is not done to “honor and glorify God!”

So this Labor Day, consider your work and place in society. Are you working in a field that honors God, doing a job that brings glory to God? Are you doing it with a joyous heart realizing that your very labor and work are a reflection of God’s very image in you? If not, consider this last thought in our theology of work. We see in Scripture,

(3)   WE ARE TO LABOR RECOGNIZING OUR PRIMARY VOCATION IS TO SERVE GOD

So often many have the idea that their work or profession is to have first place in their life! Many employers would like you to believe that your work is more important that anything else you do, even the care of your family too. Too bad, so many are living that way to the detriment of their homes, hearts and God’s planned blessings. You see, in the Bible we are told that for a Christian especially, our life’s primary vocation  ¾ is to serve God. Thus, any work we do is sacred work or ministry. It matters not whether you plow fields, milk cows, fashion shoes, push papers in an office, or just plain labor in construction or factory work ¾ God intended every believer to understand that your main purpose for living and working is to “serve” God. That means we work to live for God, not live to work for man or ourselves. Now I realize that’s a fine distinction and a line we can easily cross in any occupation, but one we need to reflect on this Labor Day.

As Tennessee Ernie Ford sung in those timeless lyrics,

“You load sixteen tons, and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt; Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store.”

For many laborers these days, they indeed are in debt up to their ears and beyond. Why? Because they’ve been living for self, trying desperately to amass goods, money, and possessions to heap upon their own cravings for consumption. This is why we have the gambling “lottery fever” in America ¾ where millions of people are desperately trying to get rich without labor or work at the expense of another’s poverty and work. May I tell you this - this greatly dishonors God, who wants all men to realize the whole creation exists that we bring glory to God by serving Him. 

So, a proper theology of work that operates in the lives of every true believer is something to behold, for it produces a picture that draws others to seek God and Christ.

If a Christian follows this theology, such workers will begin to show a conscientious effort to work hard and faithfully for their employers; to give them an honest day’s work; to be the most productive and most dedicated worker in the midst of slackers and sluggards that abound. So much so, that God promises us that others will come asking us what’s the reason for this “hope” in us. This will certainly give every Christian the opportunity to share the Good News gospel with them that has so wondrously illuminated our souls.

Lastly, let me quote some valuable Scripture for to consider concerning your relationship to labor and work. Hearing these things afresh should give you a proper perspective to remember the value of labor on this holiday weekend. Here it is for you,

Proverbs 21:5 ( NLT )  “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”

Proverbs 28:19 ( NLT )  “Hard workers have plenty of food; playing around brings poverty.”

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 ( NLT )  “This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before. 12 As a result, people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others to meet your financial needs.”

Ephesians 4:28 ( NLT )  “If you are a thief, stop stealing. Begin using your hands for honest work, and then give generously to others in need.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 ( NLT )  “Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God.”

Romans 12:11 ( NLT )  “Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.”

Well, there you have it, a short but simple theology of work. Do you fit into its picture? Are you happy in your work knowing you serve the living God? You know, what God needs more of today is ordained housewives, plumbers, farmers, laborers, and workers of all kinds to serve Him and bring Him glory. For when we see our work as God’s will, purpose, and valuable whatever it is that honors Him ¾ we will enter into the joy of the Lord and the future blessings He plans through it.

Friend, this can only be a reality when you first realize that this HARD WORKING GOD of Creation, has worked the hardest not to create the world, but to redeem it. The Bible’s main message is the redemption of the fallen human race. God has since time began, labored to reach down from Heaven and rescue poor lost sinners like you and me. Have you found your way back to God? Have you realized you are a created image of Him, and your real true happiness, contentment and purpose can only be found in serving Him with your love and labors?

This comes about when we look up into Heaven and cry out to God to save us from our lives of meaninglessness and sin by looking toward Heaven, and calling upon God the Son, Jesus Christ, to save us as He’s promised. Friend, if you call right now upon God, asking Christ to forgive you your sins based upon His substitutionary death for you on a cross, God will save you, and set you up in the fullness of life He intended you to live and enjoy. Jesus said it best,

John 10:10 ( NLT )  “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.”

And friends, that is the purpose of my message today. God bless the Laborer, who labors to glorify God, who sees his or her work as a means to fulfilling their service to God. All other work as the Bible describes, is like the farmer who lives in sin and rebellion to God’s will. Why even his plowing, in God’s eyes is wicked sin and useless for all time. So my friend as we ready for Labor Day, how will you celebrate it? By giving glory to God, and thanking Him for the privilege to work? Or will you spend it with no thought of the value of labor or work, just enjoying another day off from the grind of work. If so, I pity you. May God bless these thoughts to your heart today for Jesus sake, Amen.

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·         Radio talk #4206

·         Broadcast date: October 15, 2006

·         Speaker: Dennis L. Finnan, Commentator

·         Program: The World, the Word & You! Radio Broadcast

·         Address: P.O. Box 60033 Grand Junction, CO 81506

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The World, the Word & You! Broadcast is a non-denominational ministry based on the historic fundamental evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures. A copy of our doctrinal statement is available upon request. These weekly radio commentaries are not exhaustive studies of any particular subject due to the time limit of broadcasting. Actual broadcasts can be heard in selected areas around the nation, as funding provides. Dennis Finnan has been the speaker for over 27 years, and serves as General Director.

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