The Dignity & Honor of Work
October 14, 2007
by Harry Osborne

To say that our world places a high value on leisure is an understatement. Many look down on hard work and those who engage in such. We hear an excuse for less than industrious behavior for almost every season. First, there is the "spring fever" that excuses a lack of diligence in everything from school-work to the factory or corporate world. Then comes the "lazy days of summer" where work is avoided and ease is expected. After that, we come into the "laid back season" of Fall, followed by the cold of Winter that calls us to take it easy by the warm fire. Of course, there is a proper place for leisure in life and the need for rest from time to time. However, we must not become a people obsessed with leisure, ease and frivolity to the exclusion of honest, diligent labor.

Historically, once a society has achieved affluence, it begins to have a declining esteem for hard work and the worker. Those at the top of the economic ladder deem labor bringing the worker to a sweat as beneath their dignity. Those at the bottom of the ladder try to imitate the rich people's disdain for work, thus becoming less productive in their jobs.

A quick look around us will confirm that we are afflicted with the problem some are calling "Affluenza." Many in our time see work as a "low class" endeavor to be avoided. The advertisements of "get rich quick" schemes to avoid honest labor are all around us. Television, radio and the Internet abound with promises of six-figure earnings for a few hours of very little effort. The streets of many cities are filled with drug dealers, panhandlers, and others who have rejected work as a means of support. To those who seek a totally work-free means of living, we are surrounded by advertisements of the state lottery and the casinos that promise of a millionaire's life, filled with ease and luxury, for a mere dollar bet.

God sees the value of work differently. When He made man and set him in the ideal world of the Garden of Eden, God gave him work to do (Gen. 2:15). It was not as hard as the work that man had to do after the fall (Gen. 3:17-19), but it was work. The God who made us knew that it was best for us to work, because work was part of that ideal world.

God's word repeatedly states the value of labor. Honest work is always held in honor, but laziness is consistently seen as a disgrace bringing problems to the sluggard.

Folly of Laziness
The book of Proverbs frequently declares the folly of the lazy man. The following passages illustrate the point:

In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty (Prov. 14:23).

How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep; so shall your poverty come on you like a robber, and your need like an armed man (Prov. 6:9-11).

The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich (Prov. 13:4).

The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, but the way of the upright is a highway (Prov. 15:19).

The lazy man will not plow because of winter; he will beg during harvest and have nothing (Prov. 20:4).

The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor (Prov. 21:25).

Value of Honest Labor
Since slothfulness is condemned, the Bible exhorts us to vigorously engage in honest work. Labor is portrayed as the means to produce good, but the lack of it only brings hardship.

Notice what God's word says:

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might (Eccl. 9:10).

Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase (Prov. 13:11).

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 (Eph. 4:28).

... Work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing (1 Thess. 4:11-12).

For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread (2 Thess. 3:11-12).

The severity with which God views laziness can be seen in clear words: "For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" (2 Thess. 3:10). When the consequences of laziness are taken away, there is a higher probability that one will be lazy. God's approach to curing laziness is both simple and effective. When no provision is made for the lazy person, his hunger will very likely cause him to work out of necessity.

If that is God's attitude towards laziness, should it not also be our view? God does not encourage us to give the sluggard a free ride. Instead, He says the lazy person should bear the consequences of that laziness. Our benevolent efforts should not minimize the consequences upon those who will not work.

We need to see the value of honest labor and properly honor such. We need to engage in our work with all of our strength, not in a slothful fashion. As Christians, we must be examples of diligence in our work "not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God" (Col. 3:22). Our level of work should not depend on whether a boss is looking, but must always keep the main point in mind -- God is watching and will judge us for all the deeds done in the body whether good or evil (2 Cor. 5:10). Laziness is evil! It must be abhorred in every facet of life. It should be seen as a disgrace!

When we are enjoying our leisure time, let us keep it in balance. While all work and no play make Jack a dull boy, all play and no work will cause Jack and his whole family to suffer the consequences of laziness.

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