Work

The Bible makes it clear that two types of people step outside the creators view of work. 

 The first is the sluggard.
Lazy people sleep soundly, 

but idleness leaves them hungry.- Proverbs 19:15

Those too lazy to plow in the right season 
will have no food at the harvest. - Proverbs 20:4


This type of person is typified by being lazy, by doing the minimum to survive, if that. They are a burden to others and themselves.

 Yet this is not how God would have followers of him behave. It is clear that from the beginning, God reveals himself as a creator, and one who works. He also makes it clear that Humanity were created to work, to tend and oversee the other parts of the creation.

 Genesis 2:15  The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it

 God has built humanity to work, yet the sluggard spurns this calling of the image of God in their life.

 By taking no initiative and never completing any work they start, they lie and make excuses justifying their own actions as superior to others around them.
The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion on the road! 
Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!” 
14 As a door swings back and forth on its hinges, 
so the lazy person turns over in bed. 
15 Lazy people take food in their hand 
but don’t even lift it to their mouth. 
16 Lazy people consider themselves smarter 

than seven wise counsellors. - Proverbs 26:13-16


 Yet the second person who has failed to understand the place of work in the image of God is those who have allowed work to become the over riding driving force within their life. Today we have termed it workaholic, yet in truth it is merely a new name for idolatry. The placing of one's own capacity to provide without the need for God to be considered.

 Yet to this person God has also tried to bring wisdom. God has set in his creation the concept of rest.

 Genesis 2:1-3  
So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. 2 On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested* from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation. 

 Each and every person needs to realise that work is a gift, not a master. It must be put in it's proper place and perspective.

 Yet in today's western society this trait to be a "workaholic" is sadly celebrated by many who profess to be followers of Christ, and others, are happy to let them.Who could blame them, to the unobservant it seems to benefit the world, hard working people producing, and not causing issues.

 Yet God has a differing view
Greed brings grief to the whole family, 
but those who hate bribes will live. - Proverbs 15:27

Psalm 127ff
 Unless the Lord builds a house, 
the work of the builders is wasted. 
Unless the Lord protects a city, 
guarding it with sentries will do no good. 
2 It is useless for you to work so hard 
from early morning until late at night, 
anxiously working for food to eat; 
for God gives rest to his loved ones. 

The problems the workaholic has is in the dehumanising of themselves and others. They become separated from God and the rest of creation.Other people only become a means to an end, and are not valued in who they are.

Before you disagree dear reader, consider all those who work in abject slavery to produce goods for multinational companies, so these companies CEO's, and CFO's, can declare dividends for shares you may own!

The right attitude is obviously balance, we have to become people who do work to bring Glory to God.

Proverbs 8:18-19
 I have riches and honor, 
as well as enduring wealth and justice. 
19 My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, 
my wages better than sterling silver! 



Proverbs 10:22
The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, 
and he adds no sorrow with it. 

The reason all this is so important is work, in perspective, always reminds us to rely on God's grace, and never our own effort.

Amen to that.

Q- What is the average working week for the country you reside?
Q- What was it 30 years ago?
Q- How do you match up, are you a sluggard, a workaholic, or have you seen wisdom?
Q- Who holds you accountable to God's way of seeing things?
Q- How many hours did you work last week?
Q- How many hours were you paid for but "goofed off" at work?
Q- Are you striving to pay off items you don't really need?
Q- Were you too lazy to read all this post and just skipped to the end!

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