Created for Work
During the middle 1800s a popular set of rules for the office showed up in one form or another across the nation. Here are a few rules that were posted in Zachary Geiger’s establishment:
- This office will open at 7 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. daily, except on Sunday, on which day it will remain closed. Each employee is expected to spend Sunday attending church and contributing liberally to the cause of the Lord.
- Men employees will be given an evening off each week for courting purposes, or two evenings a week if they go regularly to church.
- After an employee has spent 13 hours of labor in the office, he should spend the rest of his time reading the Bible and any other good books while contemplating the glories and building up of the kingdom.
- The employee who has performed his labors faithfully and without fault for a period of five years in my service, who has been thrifty and attentive to his religious duties, is looked upon by his fellowman as a substantial and law-abiding citizen, will be given an increase of five cents per day in his pay providing a just return in profits from the business permits it.
Most people in our society would not like to work for this type of person. This boss would be deemed too demanding and too severe. We need our “breaks” and “time off.” However, the Bible gives us a really different mindset of work than what is portrayed by most young people and adults.
The Establishment of Work
In Genesis chapter 2, we see that God established work for Adam. He had a job before the fall of man. When asked for one of the results of sin entering into the world, most young people would respond that work was a result of sin. No! The sweat of our brow and thorns and thistles are a result. God established work and the accomplishing of a task as something good to be desired.
The Explanation of Work
“Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons” (Colossians 3:22-25).
“Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven” (Colossians 4:1).
- Our Work should be Service-Oriented
- Our Work should be Submissive
- Our Work should be Superior
- Our Work should be Spiritual
All of these principles should be considered when we work. God is not looking for excuse makers when it comes to hard work. Many can look at the boss or surroundings and find an excuse for why they are not productive. The godly worker is looking to God for approval, and this changes his perspective of the job.