Recently, a friend of mine posted a comment on her Facebook status:
This is madness, I just realised that my job takes up all of my life and the only time I have for myself is on Sabbath. This is not a good sign. I'm losing out on my life- enjoyment, love and sleep.
Coupled with this is the current controversy in Jamaica where the Government wants to expand the gambling industry by permitting horse racing and betting on Sundays (Clarke).
All these issues have motivated me to reflect on work and its G-d given purpose.
God commanded us to work and labour. In Exodus 20:9, God declares "Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work" (See also Deuteronomy 5:13).
Work is a God's approved way for human beings to acquire money, services, and goods. God has so designed it that there are benefits to be derived from work. God intends that we be rewarded for our work. His law sanctions that work (productive endeavour) must bear fruit.
Proverbs 10:16 - The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 - Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. - Work done by more than one person will produce greater results than work done by one person.
Proverbs 14:23 - In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. - What ever labour is undertaken, humanity can stand to benefit.
Those who do not work, will suffer severe consequences.
Proverbs 21:25 - The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
Proverbs 12:24 - The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. - Those who are lazy will be indebted to others.
Proverbs 12:27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. - Those who are hardworking will own valuable things. The lazy however, will have to live on handouts or borrowed goods and not on things that they own.
Proverbs 15:19 - The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
Those who are not productive, will lose everything that they do own or have (Matthew 25:26-28).
Work produces products or results
Psalm 105:44 - And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people; -
The products of labour can be inherited. They are tangible and can be passed on to others.
I concur with this part of the statement issued by the Jamaica Council of Churches (Encourage honest work):
"We cannot build our society on gambling. We must affirm the dignity of our people and encourage them to use their God-given gifts and abilities to work for an honest "bread" and for the development of our society."
Work Cited:
Clarke, Orville. "Sunday racing begins November." Jamaica Gleaner 17 Sep 2009, Web.
"Encourage honest work, church bodies tell Gov't." Jamaica Gleaner 22 Sep, 2009, Web.
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080217/focus/focus6.html
1 comment:
Work gives us the opportunity to develop fully as human beings.
It helps us to find meaning in life, giving us opportunity to build relationships with other people and learn new skills and ways to contribute to the advancement of humanity.
Work was made to benefit society and not just an individual. God has placed in every individual something special to contribute to society. By working, that person unleashes that special gift and contribution. However, by not working, the person deprives his community, family and society of that gift and contribution. Thus the person denies himself and society of a great opportunity. First the opportunity to relate to others meaningfully. Second, the opportunity to bless others and improve the life of others. Thirdly, the opportunity to discover one's full potential as well as to discover humanity's full potential.
Not all work is ordained by God. Prostitution and Criminal activity are never sanctioned as work by God, and will only lead people to becoming more depraved.
Post a Comment