The Christian Work Ethic

 Labor Day:  established to recognize and honor the working class.
(became a Federal holiday in 1894 under Grover Cleveland)

Today??? mostly = a 3 day weekend at summer's end!!

So will Revisit!!
On one hand, OBC = hard working people
However, is a need for a Biblical view of work!!  (Biblical work ethic)
Is a great need for information on work ethic in the US today, and especially a Biblical work ethic!

DEFINITION: 
(1)  Work is Labor = effort to accomplish 
doesn't necessarily mean hard, physical labor.
Is more than work resulting in backaches and blisters.  Example:  teacher, office worker, etc.
Also is more than a Paid career - example:  mom, Sunday School teacher

(2)  a "work ethic" is a MORAL view of labor.
ie:  the rights and wrongs of work!!

(3)  A Christian work Ehtic is a moral view of labor BASED ON SCRIPTURE.
You can have a strong work ethic and not be a Biblical work ethic.  ie:  "a work hard ehtic"

Question:  how much has the Bible to say about this?

Answer:  "work" and "works" = 461 times
              "labor" = 67 times
Add  toil, task, job, calling, effort, etc. = ?????  

POINT:  this study merits a whole Volume!  Because a big portion of our life is works and God has a lot to say about it!

TWO OBSERVATIONS BASIC TO THIS STUDY -----

#1. God is a Working God - not an idle ruler
Gen. 1:1 - - 1st. verb in scripture = "created"
Gen. 2:2-3
Psm. 19:1 - 'work of His hands'
John 5:16-17 - 'Father always working'

#2.  He created us in His (working) image
Gen. 2:15 - this before the fall (sin)
Gen. 3:17-19 - after the fall
work not a curse, but because of the curse, we NOW work with backaches, blisters, briars!!

This view is presented throughout the Old Testament!
example:  Ex. 20:8-10 - "6 days you shall labor"!! (is expected of you!!)        is a Sabbath rest on 7th. day
example:  Wisdom literature:  Prov. 10:4-5 - 'wise son, disgraceful son', 10:26 - 'irritating sluggard', 12:11 - 'get rich quick' schemes, 18:9 - 'no better than a vandal'
example:  the Prov. 31 woman!

This view is reflected in Christ's teachings - Matt. 25:26 - parable of the talents

Therefore, was the view of the early church - 2 Thess. 3:6-13 - from Christ
This naturally assumes the ability to work!!  Don't expect the elderly, infirmed people, disabled people, etc. to work

Many other ethical issues related to a Christian work ethic! 
LIST:
honesty
integrity
dependability - responsibility
productivity - giving your employer an honest day's work for your pay
justice/fairness - giving your employee an honest wage for a day's work

issues of wealth - building wealth, sharing wealth, laying up wealth  (here and in heaven)

properly handling gifts, talents, opportunities, resources
         stewardship
              management of the above

Also, efforts and labors in areas like:
 marriage, family, child raising, church, community, Kingdom work

REASONS WE (as Christians) SHOULD WORK WELL....

(1)  to provide for 'self and family = your responsibility!

(2)  to provide beyond your family - examples:  Deut. 24:19, acts 20:35
(those who are not so blessed)

(3)  to honor your God - 1 Thess. 4:11-12 - to earn the respect of people.
  (work well because He expects you to.)

(4)  to do His work - (ie:  to work FOR Him)
example:  Judges 13:12 - Samson's work as a Nazarite

(5)  to partner with Him in His work - Col. 1:29 - worked hard with God's energy in him.

(6)  for personal satisfaction
But ... NOTE HERE!!!   Lev. 16:29-31  "deny self!!"
Example:  day of atonement

(7)  to make a difference in your home, church, community, society

(8)  to make an ETERNAL difference

Note:  In a fallen world ... labor will always be toil!
requires effort and self discipline

And  your hard work will not win you salvation!!
Eph. 2:8-9 p by grace through faith - not by works.  ie:  by accepting Christ

Promises:  if you adopt and practice a Biblical work ethic, God will reward - if not here, then in heaven.

Closing Scripture:   1 Cor. 15:58