Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
(Colossians 3:23)

Labor Day was originally established to recognize union workers. Over time it has evolved to workers in general. However, if you were to ask most Americans, you’d probably find that most people think of Labor Day as a time to celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of the school year. Not much thought is given to honoring workers. When was the last time you went to a Labor Day parade?

Suggesting that Labor Day be a celebration of work would probably not generate a great deal of enthusiasm. After all, many people view work as little more than a necessity to be endured to put bread on the table and a roof over their heads. For some, work is but a means to an end—to make enough money to not work so the dream of a life of leisure can be attained.

Millions of people play the lottery or buy the latest get-rich book in pursuit of the dream that they could quit working. Multi-level marketing companies abound promising financial freedom that will allow you to escape the unsatisfying drudgery of your present work and live your dreams happily ever after. One of the great deceptions of our time is that recreation, relaxation and retirement are the ultimate paths to happiness. How many lottery winners do you suppose still believe that?

Some Christian leaders have unintentionally fostered this lie—at least, I hope it’s unintentional—through erroneous teaching about the Bible’s view of work. God doesn’t devalue work. In fact, He says we are to work with all our heart as though we’re doing it for Him. The corruption of the sin nature that often dehumanizes workers for an employer’s personal gain was never part of God’s design. He made us in His image and gave us work to bless us, to bless others, and to display His glory. Our work is a powerful means for displaying the glory of our Father.

From the beginning—before the Fall—we were created to work. The Scriptures tell us about that purpose and how we are to carry out our work as God’s workmanship. Several years ago, Jimmy Dodd, founder and president of PastorServe, taught a series on the biblical view of work. Here are three ways he suggests that the Gospel set us free us to make work a blessing… not just a job:

1. We are free to live out a higher calling. Work is a high calling from God for a higher purpose—to display God’s glory and goodness through our work. This high calling frees us to work with a level of excellence rarely found among most workers today.

2. We are free to embrace danger and risk. In the face of personal risk, opposition, or retaliation a person of honesty and integrity stands apart from the average worker. Doing what is right becomes the norm knowing we can trust God to provide and protect.

3. We are free to give ourselves away to serve others. Our work is no longer about me, but a means of blessing others. Success is measured by the opportunities to serve and bless others, not a lavish lifestyle.

So, our work glorifies God and reveals our higher calling when we see it as an opportunity to create, to bring order and righteousness into our world, and to bless others in need. As image-bearers of our Creator, few things offer greater joy than to work with dignity and diligence. That is truly good work.

As a grandparent what view of work are you passing on to your grandchildren? It’s time to reclaim a biblical view of the blessing of work for our time. That would be something worth celebrating, and talking about with your grandchildren.

GRANDPAUSE: “Christians view work as a high calling—a calling to be co-workers with God in unfolding the rich potential of His creation.”  –Chuck Colson