Labor has been part of God’s plan for mankind from the very beginning.  Even Adam was given the job of tending to and keeping the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 2:15).

When the Israelites came out of Egypt they were given the task of making the Tabernacle and God gave them the knowledge they needed to complete that task (job) according to His specifications.  They also were to clear the land of Promise so they could live there.  (Exodus 35, Joshua 17:15)

Everyone knows that work can be good or not so good.  The Bible tells us that whatever we do, we should do to the glory of God.  (Colossians 3:17)  Clearly, if we are doing our work as unto the Lord then our work will be good.

In the area of relationships we are to treat others as we want to be treated; better known as “The Golden Rule”.  (Matthew 7:12)  Sometimes getting along with others is a lot of work! Hah!

But no matter what kind of work we do we reap the reward of that work.  Good work equals a good result and a not-so-good-work equals a not-so-good-result.  It’s that simple.  Jesus teaches in Matthew 16:27 that each of us will receive a reward according to his works.  (Isaiah 3:10, Colossians 3:24)

However, we also reap the rewards of the hard work of those before us.  The hard work of our Police Departments and Military give us peace and safety.   The hard work of teachers produces a good education for our students.  The good preaching of the Word of God brings the hearts of people to the Lord.

On this Labor Day let us be thankful for the blessings we receive not only from our own hard work but also of those before us.  Rewards and blessings are not entitlements; they are a result of work.  Today we celebrate those who gave and give of themselves in working hard so that we have the opportunity to live a better life.  But mostly we celebrate JESUS because it is in His death, burial, and resurrection that He gave us true life in God; being confident that the very work He began in us – changing us into His Image – He is able to complete in us.

John 3:16-17, John 6:40, 47 and 48) (2 Corinthians 5:17) (Philippians 1:6)