The blessing of a good worker—

  • Shelly Webb
  • September 3, 2011
  • 387
                        
Summary- This past week most Americans celebrated the end of summer by taking part in the last official summer holiday, ‘Labor Day’. Labor Day is for the laborers and workers of our country but what does God expect from you as a ‘worker’? Story- Although history is not one-hundred percent certain as to whom first proposed ‘Labor Day’, the holiday has been observed more than a hundred years ago. Some documents show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold." However, others believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist founded Labor Day in 1882. Regardless of who actually came up with a day to honor America’s workers, the concept has been well-embraced. It is a great notion to give those that work and keep our country moving a holiday of honor. Many people enjoy this time with their families, having cookouts, attending parades and counting their blessings. When it comes to giving a days work, it’s nice to be appreciated. The Bible is full of scripture and references to ‘working’. We can see from Genesis, chapter one that God is definitely a ‘worker’. After all, scripture records that he created the earth in six days and on the seventh day, He rested. So what does God expect from Christian workers? How does He want us to conduct ourselves in the workplace and what kind of example should we be setting? Local Pastor Cliff Hartley of Northside Baptist Church believes that God set a perfect example for us to follow in the beginning. “I think everyone should work as hard as God did during the days of creation,” Hartley shared. “He worked six days and rested on the seventh. He gave to us the principal of how to work, why we should work, and when we need to take a break. His work was for people and it was very good for them.” Hartley is concerned because today’s work ethic is not always at the standard that God originally set. “There are people today who would not work in a bakery shop with a job description of eating holes out of dough-nuts,” he said. “The Bible states that, “The laborer is worth his hire”; if you are paid for eight hours, your employer is due eight hours of work.” Being a good worker and having work ethics is an important part of being a Christian. If an individual has a job, he or she will be evaluated. Others see how well you work when you are on the clock. Hartley thinks if you are being paid a wage and do not work to your full potential, then you are not deserving of the wage or what that wage buys and represents in your life. “If a man does not work as hard for his boss as he should, neither should he eat the choice steaks off the hoof,” he explained. “Submission is an important key to becoming a good worker. Everyone must realize that as long as there are people, someone will always be over you and someone will always be under you.” Learning to accept the position you are in is a big part of being a good worker. If someone has authority over you on a job it is important for you to respect that authority and do the job you are being paid to do. “Submission is part of every day life and more so in the work place,” Hartley added. “The Bible says we should submit our selves to each other in the fear of the Lord. When we do unto others as we do should unto the Lord, it will more about them and Him than about us. If I work as hard for my boss as if I were the boss, I become more productive which means job security.” In addition to job security, being a good worker directly impacts your reputation in a positive manner. It also is a positive reflection on Christ is you claim to be a Christian. Anyone reading through the book of Proverbs will soon surmise that God is not a fan of laziness. In the New Testament we find this concept reiterated in II Thessalonians 3:10, which states, “if a man will not work, he shall not eat”. Note the scripture uses the words “will not”, which indicates when there is work to do---this does not indicate incidents when an individual is laid off or unemployed due to circumstances beyond his or her control. In those trying times, faith can be built and trust in God can be learned. “God is in the business of working,” Hartley added. “Jesus said: I must be about my Father business. He also said: My Father works hitherto, and I work—when the ox is in a ditch, the Good Samaritan knows no day off. The command is man will earn his bread by the sweat of his brow. We have to work. I believe that Christians makes better workers, better neighbors, better family members, and better people. We were born to work; idleness is the devils workshop.” Being a good worker is important and a godly attribute to aspire for…but it’s always nice to see the weekend coming, especially when it entails an extra day, like this past weekend did!


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