WORK. Work is viewed by many as a necessary evil, and by some as a four-letter word. Though we may at times dislike work, we must work to live, and we face deep distress when we are unable to work. Stress level evaluations rank the stress of job change and job loss not much below the loss of a spouse.
The Apostle Paul tells us "if anyone will not work, neither let him eat" II Thess 3:10, and again "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever" I Tim 5:8. Yet headlines this week proclaim "US Unemployment Climbs to 7.8%" and "State jobless rate soars to 9.5%". Young people trying to enter the job market are faced with what appear to be daunting difficulties.
This morning I would like to take you on a brief tour of work from the beginning of the world, through the present dark age, and on into the light of the new heavens and the new earth. I would like to lay to rest some misconceptions about work. Then I would like to offer some biblical encouragement and practical suggestions for dealing with the necessity of work or the lack of work in the present age.
In the beginning, God worked to make the world. Adam was put in the garden "to cultivate it and keep it" Gen 2:15. In the naming of the animals, God gave man creative work to do, a participation in God's work, and God accepted man's efforts Gen 2:19.
What are my conclusions from these observations? God works! Therefore, for man, work is part of being made in the image of God. Also, before the fall, work was not required for survival. "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely" (Gen 2:16). Man was provided for without the need to work; he worked because that was the way God had made him.
When man fell, the effect on work was profound. God cursed the ground, which had two effects on work; the curse coupled work and survival, and the curse made work difficult Gen 3:17-19. These difficulties persist to the present day, and contribute to the negative connotations of work. We still have to deal with difficult bosses and hard times.
This difficulty has misled some to ask "is work part of the curse?". In addition, I would ask "Should 'not working' ever be our goal?". When we think about retirement, should we be anticipating total rest?
The future of work is glorious. In the new heavens and the new earth, we will work. "His bond-servants shall serve Him" Rev 22:3. However, our survival will no longer depend on our work. There shall no longer be any curse Rev 22:3. Whatever good has been developed anywhere in the world will be brought in; "They shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it" (New Jerusalem) Rev. 21:26.
God's servants are portrayed as ruling in the new heavens and the new earth. "...they shall reign forever and ever" Rev 22:5. Is this a rule over subservient peoples? No, rather the same rule that Adam and Eve were to originally enjoy over the created order Gen 1:28. In Isaiah God tells us "be glad and rejoice forever IN WHAT I CREATE Is 65:18.
Work in that day will always achieve it's purpose, always benefit those for whom it is intended. "The Lord has sworn by His right hand and by His strong arm, 'I will never again give your grain as food for your enemies; Nor will foreigners drink your new wine, for which you have labored." Is 62:8 "And they shall build houses and inhabit them; They shall also plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build, an another inhabit, They shall not plant, and another eat; For as the lifetime of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, and My chosen ones shall wear out the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain." Is 65:21-23
In the light of the biblical past, present, and future of work, how should we approach our work in the present evil age? We must live day to day with unpleasant bosses, onerous tasks, poor economic conditions, lost jobs and concerns about losing jobs.
On the other side of the coin, we may be someday be faced with prospects of surpluses, or a reduced need to work due to advances in production based on new technologies. Even now, some of us may become successful to the point where we do not need to work. How do we handle success and abundance?
For example, I'm convinced that when birds come and take a bite out of each apricot on my tree, I am suffering an effect of the curse. However, I recently designed and built a cage around my apricot tree as a means of holding the birds at bay. I didn't loose one apricot this year! So technology may (in some measure) counteract the fall.
In the course of my engineering career, I have been laid off five times; most recently in March of this year. It is hard not to ask the question 'why?' of such a frequent occurance. I asked my friend Tony Emge whether he thought that there might be some lesson God wanted me to learn which I hadn't learned the first four times. Tony's reply was encouraging; he suggested that maybe God had something different for me to learn this time.
In retrospect, I view the experience as providing me several blessings; a motivation to identify with, get to know, and help and comfort other brothers in similar circumstances; an occasion to pray and seek God's guidance; and an encouragement, this time, to think about alternative possiblities and to set out in a business of my own. Let me share with you what I feel are misconceptions about work, and some work ideals.
This misconception is based on a faulty and unbiblical distinction between sacred and secular. Should we and do we honor one task above another? Some would quote the verse "Whoso finds his life shall loose it, and whoso looses his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall find it" as an argument for preferring to enter "sacred" work.
Is eating bad because it doesn't provide spiritual nourishment? Of course not. We must eat to live. Is work less honorable because it is not preaching or evangelizing? Of course not. We are commanded to work to provide for our families, as well as to have a surplus to provide for those in need in the church body.
God gives us our skills in whatever area of life He has suited us to work, just as he fitted the four Hebrew youths for work in the court of Babylon. "God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom." Dan 1:17.
Should we choose our work based on how much money we can expect to bring in by doing a particular job? Some of the ills of our society result from this misconception. We see doctors who are doctors because they want to be rich. They have no compassion for people, and in fact turn away the indigent. Let our goal rather be the goal described in Proverbs - that we should be not so poor as to steal, but not so rich as to "forget God" Pro 30:8,9.
Some would give us the impression that unless we "have a job" and/or
find one career and stick to it, we are a failure. Just what IS work
anyway? Strangely enough, this question has great relevance to both the
man who has been laid off and is without a job, as well as the man who
has had great financial success and/or is retired. Paul in scripture
seems to insist that both should "work".
"If any man will not work, let
him not eat." II Thess 3:10.
The consistant lesson of scripture and normal life experience is that industriousness leads to wealth, while sloth leads to poverty. "Go to the ant, O sluggard." Pro 6:6. "As the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed." Pro 26:14. This industriousness may be in the service of an employer, or it may be working one's own land or projects.
We are often presented with the Sow-Reap model of work; the lessons here are that we should not expect instant results, and that we should not count on each effort we make returning results. "Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether this or that sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good." Eccl 11:6. Don't hesitate to try different avenues of work; the more you try (within reason) the more likely you are to find results.
Scriptures also show us the Body Model of work functions - that is, that
each of us have a task or tasks which God has suited us for, much as He
has designed the various parts of the body to work together.
I Cor 12.
As we have already seen, work is good and a gift of God - the effect of the curse on work has been to make it difficult and a requirement for survival. So, don't curse work!
How are we to choose the work we should do? How should we live if we are presently unemployed, or retired? Scripture gives us food for thought on this matter. "A man plans his way, but the Lord plans his steps." Prov 16:9. I take this to mean that we should vigorously pursue work, and work of the kind that seems most desirable to us. The work we actually get and do is then up to the Lord who plans our steps.
Let's consider some work ideals; that is, attitudes and actions to strive for in our work, regardless of what that work may be, and regardless of whether or not we are presently "employed" in the traditional sense.
Jesus taught that the kingdom of God was at hand. We should begin living more and more as though we have already entered into that kingdom.
Don't abandon this to the "line of Cain"! We need Christians in the arts, in science, and in engineering, to testify to God as Creator and Redeemer. We need Christians in all fields as witnesses to the fact that no matter how far technology may advance, technological remedies for the curse are purely partial and temporary. Judgement day is still coming and man's only true hope is to be reconciled to God.
"He who is faithful in a very little thing." Luke 16:10,11.
"Not men-pleasers, but slaves of Christ." Eph. 6:6-8.
Ephesians 4 tells us that Christ has given us gifts (Ephesians 4:8) for the building up of the body (4:12) , but that the effect of this should permeate our lives and our work (4:17-6:24) .
Proverbs 22:29 says "Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings." Let us excel in our work.
We should show forth joy in service, for thus we serve best. The preacher exhorts us, "Whatever your hand finds to do, verily, do it with all your might." Eccl 9:10. Psalm 19:5 portrays the sun "Rejoicing like a strong man to run a race." Paul says "Do your work heartily, as unto the Lord - ye serve the Lord Christ." Col 3:23,4. In Proverbs, the Lord Christ is portrayed as "Wisdom.. a master workman....rejoicing in the world, His earth" Pro 8:30,31. As Christians, we need to be rejoicing in our skills and abilities. There is no need or place for a false humility. (see the next Ideal)
As believers, we of all people are uniquely able to recognize where our capabilities come from. Let us never forget that God is our source. "You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth." Deut 8:18. "Do all to the glory of God." I Cor 10:31, Col 3:17, I Pet 4:11. When we can express thanks to God for our successes and skills, we are a witness to those around us.
Are you unhappy in your work? Consider a change. Paul counseled slaves, "if you are able to become free, do that." I Cor 7:21. Some of us may be "wage slaves". In our culture we are fortunate to have the freedom to change jobs, to select careers. Discover the skills God has given.
Scripture presents work as non-static; there is always room for growth and learning, and then for teaching others. We have many examples of this concept. To name just a few, Elijah & Elisha, Eli & Samuel, Jesus & the Disciples, and Paul & Timothy. Take whatever opportunities you have to learn. Make opportunities to learn. Spend some of your own free time in learning. This will also help you keep your present job or, should you loose it, to adapt to a new job.
"It is more blessed to give than to receive" Acts 20:35. Strive to go the extra mile, to give your employer or your clients more than they pay for.
One aspect of work I seem to have great difficulty with is juggling responsibilities and maintaining life priorities. When we enjoy our work, it is sometimes a trap to work too much. Let us be sure to care for the needs of our family other than financial needs alone. Let us not forsake assembling together for worship because of work.
Our present situation, living after the fall and with the effects of the curse, is far from ideal. Most of us must work to survive. Many are dealing with the demoralization of a lay-off. The economy and business are in poor shape. Let us then talk to our brothers and encourage one another in our work, whether employed or not. Let us encourage one another in business, helping with recommendations and sales leads.
Seek to work in ways that show forth the glory of God and his kingdom. Praise Him both for and with your skills and abilities. When time and responsibility permit, give of your work freely to your brothers. Share your surplus with the body - if you need opportunities, talk to the deacons. Above all, in the midst of uncertainty, find your ultimate security in Christ.