Monday, September 2, 2019

Musings From My Front Porch On Labor Day


            Labor Day is a public national holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States.  More than 80 other countries celebrate it in May and call it by a different name.  In the late 19th century trade unions and labor movements proposed that a day be set aside to celebrate labor.  Oregon was the first state to make it an official public holiday in 1887 and by 1894 it became an official federal holiday.  Labor Day has been called the “unofficial end of summer” and marks the beginning of many fall activities.

            Without delving into the activities or the need for labor unions, I do think it is appropriate for us to recognize that God has always sanctioned honorable labor.  Prior to man’s fall in the Garden of Eden, God instructed him to “work it and keep it” (Gen. 2:15, ESV).  When God gave the 10 commandments to Moses on Mt. Sinai, He said that the Israelites were to work six days out of the week and rest one (Ex. 20:8-11).  In so doing, He did limit the duration of physical labor, for everyone needs a break.

            There are some benefits that can be derived from physical labor.  For one, labor stimulates the mind and body.  Without such stimulation, the mind would become idle and the body weakened.  This would provide a fertile playground for satanic activity.  The familiar saying is true, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.”  On at least two occasions the apostle Paul warned of the consequences of idleness.  He said that if a person does not provide for his family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (1 Tim. 5:8).  He further said, “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat” (2 Thess. 3:10).  In the next two verses, he spoke of those who, because of idleness, were busybodies rather than productive workers earning their own living.
           
            While labor stimulates the mind and body, it also relaxes them to the point that it makes sleep sweeter.  Solomon said, “Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much…” (Eccl. 5:12).
           
            Paul sums it up well in two passages:  1) “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need” (Eph. 4:28); 2) “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:58).

            The annual Labor Day holiday is a time of parades, picnics, family gatherings, cookouts, relaxation, etc.  On this day we can pause and thank God for our jobs and the ability to perform them.  I hope you have had a great Labor Day!

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