Many of our traditional United States Holidays were born out of someone suffering and even dying. The American working has endured many tough and grueling occupational hazards. From the children who worked in sweat shops at ages as young as 7 and 8, from those who were used to build the railroads, from the those who worked in the coal mines, from those who stood on the steel skyscrapers that make up our big cities; from those who gives their lives as law enforcements officers and military service, from those who care for the sick; work has been an integral part of American life. While some jobs have gotten easier and less stressful there still is a growing need for workers to maintain our everyday life.
The original Labor Day Holiday started on September 5, 1982 as the result of the Central Labor Union seeking a day off for working citizens. The labor movement has a long tradition towards making things safer and healthier for the everyday working citizen. The principles that we were founded upon in our Capitalist system make it easy for one to prosper of the fruit of their labors. This country was built with the sweat and will power that was provided by many a worker. Giving God all the glory for the ability to work and provide for your family is a priority for most.
The Bible gives clear guidance on the importance of work. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,” Colossians 3: 23. “Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense,“ Proverbs 12: 11. “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor,“ Proverbs 12: 24. “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty,“ Proverbs 14: 23. “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man,” Proverbs 6: 10 – 11.
Many people around the world are mad at the American worker but this is the background of where most American people get their work ethic from. This is changing because so many people are not following the Bible and they are trying to take America off the standards that are taught in the Bible. There is nothing wrong with making a profit. As we just read in Proverbs, “hard work brings a profit”. The push towards socialism and communism has really messed up the viewpoint of some people. We must fight to keep our perspectives. We must fight to keep Capitalism strong and vibrate in American culture.
This is one of the questions that God has been asking America. “What happened to the land of the free and the home of the brave?” Could one of the things that has happened to America be that we are losing our work ethic? Could one of the things has happened to America be that we are losing that inner drive to take care of our families by working? These are serious questions for you to ponder on this Labor Day holiday. Labor is important. It is important to God. It is important part of our culture. As you enjoy this holiday break with your family and friends, resolve in your heart that you will always give God an honest day’s work. Resolve it in your heart that you will honor God with your work.
Selah.