God's Take on Labor and Work...

The origins Labor Day came about in a setting  where people were advocating for fair work conditions such as an 8 hour work day that we see so commonly today. Labor Day back then was was a day used to gather as a group to prioritize their agenda on what they wanted to seek as the working class. This was a vehicle to have a voice regarding their environment and working conditions.

Labor Day eventually became a day to acknowledge and appreciate the working force of society. Much has changed since those days as workers now have many rights and protections that didn't exist before, but as always, the pendulum has a tendency to swing both ways. That's why it is so important to put God at the center of all standards and regulations. So let's check out what the God Almighty has to say about work...



"In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty."
- Don't slack off just chatting away all day. There's value in getting actual work done. It seems they had people thousands of years ago that just talked more than they worked and didn't get anything done. Whattaya know... ^_^


"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men"
- God appreciates good work ethic. Be excellent whatever you do whether it's picking up the trash or inventing the next new cutting edge technology. Be right in your heart about how well you do things because God knows it all.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
- God is all about resting as well as working. He is not an advocate of burning yourself into the ground. As a matter of fact, if you are on the path to burn-out, that's a key indicator that you may need to check in with the big guy in the sky and see if you're on His plan and time table. He may be telling you to rest.

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
- If you're doing something that God told you to do, then you can count on that fact that He will supply you with the strength and resources you need. Even if the task seems impossible, keep the faith because God can do anything through a faithful, obedient servant. However, if you went rogue and took off on a mission He didn't give you, better check back in and make sure you're following His plan and not yours. (Err... been there, done that^_^)

"Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts."
- God is all about paying people on time. Give them what they have earned and don't try to be cheap and get out of paying someone what you agreed to or hold out on an unfair technicality. Don't have the deck stacked against your employees or teammates. Structure your pay fairly and deliver it on time.

"Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it."
- Beware of get rich quick plans whether it seems logical or planned out. When something seems to good to be true, it usually is. There's no free ride to success.

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."
- Keep your eyes on serving God and He will take care of all the awesome big, unbelievable plans to rock your world. Isn't it great that you don't have to be the mastermind behind everything. You can work together with Holy Spirit in surrender and obedience. God will take care of the wow factors. He's better at it than you are. ^_-

"Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work"
- God wants us to rest and observe the Sabbath. We were never designed to work for more than 6 days straight. God wants you to trust in Him that He will provide more in six days with Him than your 7 days working non-stop. God is all about self-care. How's your self-care? O_o

"If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat."
- Everyone should have a solid work ethic and work in the capacity they are able. God does not look kindly to people who are lazy and unwilling to pull their own weight.

"A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich."
- Don't be lazy. Be diligent. Don't be surprised if you don't work and don't have anything to show for it. However, this does NOT mean to be a workaholic and grind endlessly everyday without rest. God is a god of balance and rest.

"When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner."
- Share with the poor and leave some of your earnings for them. Don't milk every deal for every penny it's worth. You don't always have to get a killer deal while the other person painfully loses. That's not God's way. You can be both financially wise and fair in your dealings. That reflects God more accurately than slicing everyone at the knees with your killer negotiating skills. There's nothing bad about a good deal, just be aware of the spirit in which you operated in and if it pleases God. It's totally between you and Him.

"Dear Heavenly Father,
Help us see work through Your eyes,
To glorify You in ALL that we do,
In our work,
In our finances,
In our actions,
May we have a deeper understanding in HOW you want us to work,
May it cause the world around us to see that Your ways are the best.
May it provoke them to curiosity and jealousy about You.
Use my business to move Your kingdom forward,
In Jesus name, Amen."

Cheers to seeing labor, work ethic, business operation through God's standards not our own.

Have a great day!