Human Labor: Necessary Evil or God’s Design?      “I want to buy a new car, pay off my house, quit my job, and never work again!”. So goes typical response of a recent lottery winner or recepient of a generous inheritance. I’m never going to work again! I can rid myself of the curse of mankind! I’ll be free!      Work seems to have risen to the status of the number one necessary evil in this country. The average person endures the weekly grind only by relishing the anticipation of the workless weekend; and nearly everyone plans for an early retirement. Even Christian share this view. They believe that labor came about by default, rather than by the design of God. The picture of human labor is painted with sadistic, vengeful strokes.      Is that how God would have us view labor - as the dreadful punishment due fallen man? Genesis 1 paints the first picture of labor. We read that “God created...and god was moving... and God separated...and God called...and god made...and God gathered...and God blessed”. Step by step, day by day, God labored over creation. The labor was not His curse, His punishment. It was His choice. He willfully, voluntarily, and joyfully brought this worl into existence, and when He finished and studied his creation, He said, “Yes, this is very good”. The result of His skillful work brought Him joy and a tremendous sense of accomplishment.      The next biblical picture of labor is in Genesis 2, where God told Adam to cultivate and care for the garden of Eden. Adam had not yet sinned, so surely there could be no vengeance in this command. On the contrary, God was saying, “Adam, I love you. I’ve already given you time, and now I choose to give you something precious and worthwhile to do with your time. Enjoy the beauty of My creation and help Me preserve it”. Adam didn’t complain. He didn’t ask for a negotiation table, for greater benefits, for higher pay. Apparently he accepted the responsibility joyfully as a meaningful assignement from God.      Labor was not a punishment; neither was it an afterthought. Labor was the design. It was God’s was of filling man’s day with pleasant, meaningful activity. Unfortunately, after man’s fall into rebellion and sin, the nature of labor was somewhat altered. No longer did the ground yield its fruit willingly; instead it produced with reluctance, thorns and thistle complicating the task. Sweat and toil and struggle and frustration claimed their place in the picture as the need for labor increased. In spite of this twisting by sin, however, the basic value of human labor remains unchanged. Labor still richly rewards those who accept its yoke and stil retains those elements which mark it as God’s design for us.

January 2004 The dignity of work      Have you ever watched a skilled worker in the midst of his labors and noticed the gleam that sparkled in his eyes as he watched the fruit of his efforts slowly ripen and then mature?      Have you ever experienced the self-respect, the self-confidence, and healthy independence that comes when you tackle a difficult task for which you have carefully and patiently prepared? If you have, then you’ve seen and experienced the dignity of diligent labor.      Diligent labor produces dignity in the man or woman who is willing to commit himself of herself to it. God kenw what dignity would do for a man or woman, and His grace He designed labor, whether it be in the home or in the marketplace, as a means of helping people develop dignity. Naturally, some people, through no fault of their own, are unable to work. for them God undoubtedly provides another means of developing dignity. But to most people meaningful labor is viable option.      The writer of the Book Proverbs says, “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men” (Pro 22:29).      Obviously this doesn’t mean that every individual who is skilled in his work will be called to the White House. It does mean, however, that there is a sense of royalty, a sense of honor, associated with diligent labor. Meeting the President face-to-face is not the point. Human dignity is the point. And God has made it available to all who will work. Responsibility      Labor helps us develop not only dignity, but also a sense of responsibility. In Proverbs 26:13-14 we read, “The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square!’ Like the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed”. The sluggard , the loafer, the person unwilling to commit himself to diligent labor says, “There’s a lion on the street”. I cannot go there. I might get hurt. I might be uncomfortable. I might not like it. He uses every excuse he can concieve to stay away from hjis labors, and gradually develops a lazy, irresponsible attitude. “As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed”. Unwilling to accept his responsibilities, he turns his back on them, and eventually becomes oblivious to them.      Human labor, then teaches us responsibility in terms of our schedules and teaches responsibility with respect to our performance. Remember the sluggard and learn from his ways. Don’t create excuses to keep yourself from your labors. Allow labor to teach you responsibility.      In the marketplace we learn dignity, we learn responsibility, and finally we learn to enjoy a sense of accomplishment. After created our world, God acknowledged that it was very good. He expressed and recorded for all time His satisfaction with the world which He had created.      Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment. It is beautiful and it is good!!