The Lord made us to work and when we work then we feel better about ourselves and especially when our work has met a need, whether it is providing for our family or meeting a need elsewhere. There is a joy in being productive. The Lord worked and set an example for us in showing us that work is good.
Psalm 8:3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;
The Lord is still working and it is glorious. All His work is done in faithfulness to who He is and what He has said.
Psalm 33:4 For the word of the Lord is upright, And all His work is done in faithfulness.
Jesus glorified the Father on earth by accomplishing the work that God had given Him to do. The Lord has given each one of us work to do and when we do it, in faithfulness to Him, then He also is glorified in our lives and work.
John 17:4 I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.
As we walk with Him then He will lead us into the good works that He has created us to do.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
The Lord wants us to work so that we may have something to share with others. Sometimes we might work for money but other times we might work so that we can give to others. Someone once said that a sign of maturity in someone is when they start to enjoy work. Working with one’s hands is also the prescription for the problem of stealing. Teach your children to work hard and you will be keeping them from the temptation to steal. Generally hard workers are not thieves.
Ephesians 4:28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.
There is something not only enjoyable about working with our hands but it also keeps us out of trouble and keeps us from eating the bread of idleness. It helps us to lead a quiet life with all godliness and dignity and gives us a good reputation with those who are unbelievers. Work is very respectable and we appreciate those who work hard and do well in their jobs, whether it is cleaning a room, cooking or serving a meal or managing a business. People in all fields are greatly appreciated for their excellent work. A lazy person is like “vinegar to the teeth” and a slack person is a “brother to him who destroys”, as Scripture tells us.
I Thessalonians 4:11b,12 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you,so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.
The hand of the diligent will rule and the Bible says that the precious possession of a man is diligence.
Proverbs 12:27 A lazy man does not roast his prey, But the precious possession of a man is diligence.
There is something very unattractive about a lazy, worthless man who refuses to work. When work is kept in balance with having a day of rest each week, as the Lord designed for us, then it keeps our life in order and for the person who works hard, he will usually not lack the opportunity to work. It is the sluggard that says there is a “lion in the street”. There will always be a reason why the sluggard can’t work.
Proverbs 22:13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside; I will be killed in the streets!”
We destroy a person’s self worth and their ambitions when we reward them for not working.The Lord says that if a man is not willing to work then neither let him eat.
II Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.
The Lord made men and women to work and there is dignity in all work. When you are considering whether or not a certain young man is the one for you then you will be wise to marry a man with a strong work ethic. A sluggard is forever starting things but never finishing them.
Proverbs 26:15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.
Generally if you are a hard worker then you will be attracted to someone who works hard and you both will have a great life doing something together and seeing it accomplished. Whatever you do in word or deed do all to the glory of God.
Colossians 3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.