Labor Day

Work is God’s will and way.

Genesis 2:15, God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.

Mark 6:31, For there were many coming and going, and they [Jesus and the 12] did not even have time to eat.

Revelation 22:3, the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. (This is in eternity!)

Work hard for the boss whether watched or not.  Work in a way pleasing to God knowing that God observes and God rewards. 

Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.  And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.  But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. Colossians 3:22-25

Boss – treat your employees well for you have a Boss who cares and deals!  

Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.  Colossians 4:1

Work willingly.  She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. Proverbs 31:13

Work without having to be repeatedly told or constantly supervised. 

Go to the ant, you sluggard!  Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8

No excuses – get up and get after it!  The lazy have a million reasons to stay in bed and defend their laziness. Don’t be one of them! 

The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!” As a door turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man on his bed. The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.  Proverbs 26:13-16

And why work?  So, to give!

Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Ephesians 4:28

He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given. Proverbs 19:17

Give, give and give then give more for God sees and rewards!

Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, for you do not know what evil will be on the earth. 6, In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good. Ecclesiastes 11:1-2

Jesus took note of how much each party kept – not what they gave!

And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.  So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”  Luke 21:1-4;  Proverbs 19:17

Give – even in poverty!

Their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing. II Corinthians 8:2-3

Give with forethought – not spur of the moment or due to manipulation or guilt. 

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity. II Corinthians 9:7a

God loves givers! 

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. II Corinthians 9:6

God loves a cheerful giver.  II Corinthians 9:7b 

Be like God – a giver!  For God so loved the world that He gave… John 3:16