It Should Be a Privilege

Exodus 20:9-10 - Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work.

Another great Wednesday night Truth Project class at church. There is such richness in these classes. Truth brings life. When you know the truth it sets you free. You become unburdened in a sense. That's why Jesus was called the Truth.

We learned about labor/work Wednesday night. Del Tackett started out by asking if labor, or work, was a curse. It came about because of Adam's disobedience in the Garden. Before that work was pleasurable, now it has become "tedious" to many. The general consensus was no, biblically it is not a curse. 

We learned about how many in today's society have it backwards. "Work is a four letter word." "Work is what gets us to Friday." Those were only a couple of the responses to the question of what work means. It was pointed out that through our work material goods are produced, a positive thing. It also brings about the negative such as pornography, illegal drugs and abortion. It seems there are always two sides to everything.

By the scripture above we see that God worked for six days and took the seventh day off. Tackett concluded that [besides taking a day specifically to honor God], He has asked us to work six days and take a day off...but not as punishm.  If we have the proper attitude about work, we should be enjoying it, no matter what it is...whether housework or working outside the house. And God has given us one day off to rest. Why? If we enjoyed our work the way we are supposed to, we'd want to work seven days a week. Unheard of, hey?

We are to work to glorify God. If we are doing our best at what we know how to do and we do it uprightly, without complaint, God is pleased. It should bring us a sense of satisfaction but not in a "me" sort of way. God has given us our talents and many times we are given opportunities to use those talents in our work. If we enjoy what we do, we should be happy doing that. We should want to thank God and glorify Him at the same time.

All things belong to God. He has created all things. We are called to be stewards of those things He has given us. Some believe that the more "stuff" we have the more satisfied we will be. It really only causes us to want more without the satisfaction. That's not glorifying God. In addition, if we have the real concept of how we are to be those good stewards we will have the proper attitudes toward work. Some employers are good to their employees, fair, pay them on time, thank them. Some never have a good word for their people. It works the other way around too...some employees are just not worth having because their work ethic stinks! 

What struck me most was this and how it relates to what is happening today: There is a parable in Leviticus 19 that speaks of harvesting grain. The laws back then suggested that when the grain was harvested rather than being sure to pick up every bit of grain, anything that had fallen should be left behind for others (the poor) to come and gather for themselves (gleaning). What could have happened was these harvesters could have picked everything for themselves and then they determined what would be given to the poor. But then it was the rich giving to the poor. God's idea was to give the poor a chance to do some sort of work for the gleanings, as little as it might be, rather than giving them a handout. Sound familiar?

Work should be a privilege and that was the bottom line of this study. God has never suggested those who can afford to work should give to those who cannot, or in the case of today, will not work, because a handout could be offered. Work is also a Christian's way of honoring and glorifying God. With good work ethic comes the right kind of praise from employers or employees. Trust ensues. That should be the most satisfying, more than the money we receive, for the stuff we don't need! Of course, not all people who call themselves Christians adhere to this...which can sometimes give Christians a bad reputation. 

God's own creativity has been passed down to us. We were made in His image. However, that image referred to is not physical. It's His character we share. If we don't share His good characteristics, well, I wonder whose we have? Let's use His creativity wisely. Look at labor as your chance to show what God has given you. What a privilege that is. Once you realize these talents come from God, don't blow it! Do it for His glory. 

It was pointed out that J.S. Bach used to put these letters SDG at the end of his works. He understood where his talent came from. The letters were Latin for Soli Deo Gloria...for God's glory alone. If we would get this idea planted firmly within us, how the world could change.

I remember before I knew Christ I sat in our lunch room with several coworkers. We did nothing but complain about our jobs. After receiving Christ in time I could not eat with them anymore because the voices became annoying to say the least. I knew it was so wrong to be complaining about our jobs and so right to be thankful for them and be wanting to do the best we could in and through them. Oh, I'm sure I hadn't gotten it all yet, but I was on the road to recovery! How do you glorify God through your work? How can you improve upon it? How can you start to do it? Remember the talents you have been given were given by God. He's the greatest Authority over us; He's our Manager. Wouldn't you like Him to be pleased knowing you are taking what He has given you and using it for His glory?

1Corinthians 10:23-24, 31 - Everything is permissible--but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible--but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.