Labor from the Lord
Jobs and economic well being are important to God.
While for many people, Labor Day is simply a day off that marks the unofficial end of summer, it was conceived as a holiday to celebrate workers. As explained in a document from the United States Department of Labor, the day is a “creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers.”1
This Labor Day also serves as a reminder that the unemployment rate in the United States has not yet recovered from the recent recession and still hovers above 9 percent. This makes job creation both a critical part of the ongoing economic recovery and an important matter for the many Americans who have lost jobs and have been unable to find other work.
In mid-August, the Labor Department said the number of Americans filing for unemployment insurance increased by 12,000 to 500,000 that week from 488,000 in the previous week. That was the highest level since November 14.
President Barack Obama spoke about the jobs situation this week when, in his televised speech about the conclusion of the combat mission in Iraq and the bringing home of the combat brigades. He also said that getting people back to work must be his “central responsibility as president.”
In a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll earlier this month, a majority of Americans agreed. Even as those troops are coming home, the poll found that 56 percent of respondents said the economy would be extremely important to their vote for Congress this year while fewer than 40 percent said the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan were extremely important to them.2
Jobs and economic well being are important to God as well. The Bible, in its assessment of God’s creation of the universe, notes, “When the Lord God made the earth and the heavens … there was no man to work the ground … The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (Genesis 2:8,9,15). God needed no help bringing into being mountains, oceans, and butterflies, but once his creation was complete God gave it into the hands of – people. What a gift! What a responsibility! To take care of what is God’s. To be asked to work in his company (kingdom).
It wasn’t, of course, simply cheap labor for God. This responsibility connected people to God in a relationship. Other times God has taken work away from people who were forgetting about him and fraying their connection to him (Haggai 1). That doesn’t mean that all people displaced from employment displease God, but it means he can – and will – orchestrate jobs, careers, and promotions or demotions for what he knows is more important for us. Being connected to him. Working for him. Living under him and receiving blessings he intends for believing hearts.
Even though Jesus’ disciples left their jobs to follow him, Jesus employed their skills in ministry. Employed in the marketplace or not, all Christians have talents from our Creator to serve humanity both through and outside of the local church. You don’t have to leave your job to follow Jesus, but then again, ask yourself if your job helps or hinders your discipleship. If you’re looking for a job, ask the same question before you sign the W-9.
“Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18). Careers, jobs, and unemployment are part of God’s mission. If you have questions or concerns, be sure to direct them to him.
PRAYER: Look with favor and care on those displaced from employment, Lord God. Fill their hearts with spiritual treasures that they may not feel forsaken, and equip them with everything good that they may not feel useless. Give to all workers a dedicated determination to contribute meaningfully, to those who dissatisfied with their jobs a renewed sense of purpose or redirected career path, and to all employers and supervisors the patience and wisdom to be fair to all. In the name of Jesus, the carpenter’s Son and the Savior of all. Amen.