Tomorrow is Labor Day. This has been a federal holiday in this country since 1894. But how should a Christian view this day? I would propose and exhort you to look at Labor Day through the lens of the Apostle Paul’s view of work when he concluded his great work on the resurrection in I Corinthians 15:
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Paul believed that the fruit of the resurrection bears fruit in our labors. We labor in resurrection style, not as those without hope. We labor because our labor is fruitful. Lester Dekoster defines work as that “which gives meaning to life because it is the form in which we make ourselves useful to others.”[1] In our labors we bring extended satisfaction to others and ourselves. If we did not work, we could never give back what rightly belongs to God in tithes and offerings. If we did not work we could never support the vast missionary enterprise throughout the world. If we did not labor we could never enjoy the fruits of our labors in hospitality and charity.
Our work is a form of eternal stewardship. We labor on earth because it is a glimpse of how we will labor for all eternity. We labor on earth because we are stewards of the earth and we will labor in heaven because all of creation will be ours. We will never stop working. On this Labor Day, consider the meaning of your work. What you do is not in vain in this world or in the world to come.
Let us Pray:
O Gracious Father, we thank you for our professions. We thank you for the distinct calling of each of us. We pray today that you would rejuvenate our view of work. We pray especially for those who are out of work. Take care of those in need. Provide for them jobs where their gifts may be exercised. And on this holy day, strengthen us for the duty of worship. May we lift our voices and glorify the God who makes all things new, even our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
[1] Work, The Meaning of Your Life, pg. 9
