Work is Good
By, Toni Smothers
We can take God’s Word to heart and make it a priority to teach our children about what the Bible has to say about humanity’s need to work hard. When it comes to getting things out of life, Job 24:5 has a good take on the subject. “Behold, as wild asses in the desert, go they forth to their work; rising betimes for a prey: the wilderness yields food for them and for their children.” Those who choose to eat must work.
Even our Heavenly Father worked for six days straight, in order to create what He wanted. “And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.” (Genesis 2:2)
Adam and Eve blew their leisurely paradise by disobedience. The first consequence after their shame was a pronouncement of hard labor and toil. And to Adam, He said, “Because you have listened and given heed to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, saying, you shall not eat of it, the ground is under a curse because of you; in sorrow and toil {hard work} shall you eat [of the fruits] of it all the days of your life.” Gen 3:17
Another example in the Word can be found in Genesis where it tells about Jacob. He found out first hand that labor is required in payment for that which we desire. He worked seven years for his beloved Rachel and even after that, was tricked into an additional seven years because he was given Leah instead of Rachel first. (Gen 29:15-27)
Unfortunately, many of the younger generation have proclaimed an entitlement for themselves that simply is not realistic or godly. Work is our lot in life, whether we are young or old, very wise, or simply learning, we do so under the burden of our labor. It is our responsibility to train our children in God’s Ways - As parents, we can entrust them with the value of a good work ethic. Truth in love is always a good gift.