As I promised last week, I am sending you today the second TGIF that I wrote which was for Labor Day four years ago. This message is somewhat verbose as I wanted to share the writings of two well known Biblical contributors and much of the scripture attributed to them. I think one of the things I did learn early was to be more selective in the length of the message and reducing the number of scripture references! I hope you enjoy today’s message!
TGIF2 – Labor Day weekend, September 4, 2020
In more normal times, do you know this would be a more exciting Friday? That is because today kicks off a 3-day weekend, Monday is a national holiday of Labor Day!!!!!
Labor Day is always the first Monday in September, a creation of the labor movement in the late 19th century dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
The Bible has a lot to say about labor, so today I would like to focus on two great “laborers” for God, Solomon and Paul. Both have a lot to say to Christians about the value of labor.
Solomon was one of the most revered of all the Old Testament prophets. Solomon is described as follows in 1 Kings.
1 Kings 4:29-32 – Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand is on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. … He also spoke 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs.
Solomon produced so many influential proverbs that the book of Proverbs provides the 513 most important of his proverbs. These proverbs are simple, moral statements that highlight and teach fundamental realities about life. A few of Solomon’s proverbs about work are provided here as illustrations of his simple yet truthful messages that apply as much today as thousands of years ago. Note in these proverbs that an ant is presented as an example of industry, diligence and planning, in contrast to the lazy sluggard who lacks self-control.
Proverbs 6:6-11 – Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest. How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest” – Your poverty will come in like a vagabond and your need like an armed man.
Proverbs 12:11 – He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.
Proverbs 12:24 – The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slack hand will be put to forced labor.
Proverbs 13:4 – The soul of a sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is made fat.
Proverbs 14:23 – In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 16:26 – A worker’s appetite works for him, for his hunger urges him on.
[Labor is hard and often grievous, but necessary even for the lazy.]
Proverbs 18:9 – He also who is slack in his work is brother to him who destroys.
[To leave work partially done or poorly done is to destroy it.]
Note that Paul, the most active and influential apostle after his transformation, was allowed to receive support from the Christian churches. Instead, Paul chose to earn his own living to set a proper example for others. Here are some messages he gives to the Thessalonian and Colossian believers to follow his example.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 – And to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders [non-Christians] and not be in any need.
2 Thessalonians 3:10-13 – (10) For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat either. (11) For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. (12) Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread. (13) But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.
Verse 10 – Paul repeats the order that all who are able are expected to work, if they want to eat. Verse 11 – Word has gotten back to Paul that some were still not willing to work, in spite of Paul’s message and example. Verse 12 – The non-working, but able, folks were strongly advised to settle down and begin an ordered life of work. Verse 13 – The hard working believers were tired of supporting the lazy, and were ready to stop all help to those in need, giving up all charity. Paul reminded them that there were still needy folks among them and the Thessalonians must not turn from continuing to help them.
Colossians 3:17 – Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
[Act consistently with who He is and what He wants.]
Colossians 3:23 – Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
[Always do your work with a grateful heart, no matter the circumstances. Thank God for your opportunity, even if it might not be your dream job or fairly compensated, your eternal compensation will be more than fair.]
TGIF!! And don’t forget to celebrate Labor Day on Monday!!!!!