Some are of
the mistaken impression that work is God’s punishment, and some manual works certainly
seemed like it. After all, Genesis 3:19 says,
“By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food” (NIV). But that view forgets
that before the fall, Adam and Eve’s job was to care for and tend the garden (Genesis 2:15)—not as punishment, but as the work God
had given them. As much as we might sometimes complain about our jobs, it’s
important to remember that work is a blessing.
God is the ultimate worker. Creating and
sustaining are part of His nature:
“By the seventh day God had finished the
work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And
God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all
the work of creating that he had done” (Genesis 2:2-3 NIV).
“For in him all things were created:
things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers
or rulers or authorities; all things have been created by him and for him. He
is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17 NIV).
And in being creators and sustainers
ourselves, we partake in God’s image:
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest
upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our
hands” (Psalm 90:17 NIV).
“Do you see a man skilled in their work?
They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank”
(Proverbs 22:29 NIV).
We need to
be doing some kind of work, to be a creator or sustainer. You can mow lawns,
balance the books, or balance the tires. It doesn’t matter what; honest work honours
God. (Studying for useful work, whether in college or trade school, is also honourable.)
Thank God for the useful work you have to
do. Pray for and help those who are without work.
God bless
you.
(from ‘Honest
work honors God’ by Tom Neven)
