Campus CrossWalk Magazine: 2007 Spring Issue -- Why Work?

Why work? Two good reasons are sufficient.

First, it is honest! Many of humanity’s greatest evils rose from our unwillingness to work honestly for what we need and want.

CRIME:

The main motive for theft and robbery is a disdain for work. While some will exert great effort and ingenuity to steal the identities or resources of others, their motivation still rises mainly from an antipathy for honest work. The apostle Paul wrote; ““He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.” (Ephesians 4:28). Later, the Talmud put it this way; “Whoever does not teach his son a trade or profession teaches him to be a thief.”

SLAVERY:

Human slavery is rooted in a rotten work ethic. Shirking work is one thing, but forcing others do it for you without fair recompense is another. Living like parasites off the labor of others is unbiblical. Paul regarded “slave traders” in the same category as murderers, adulterers, perverts, and liars (see 1 Timothy 1:10, NIV).

CHILD EXPLOITATION:

English author, Charles Dickens (1812-1870) opened many eyes in the nineteenth century to the problems of poverty and child exploitation. His novel Oliver Twist (1839), shocked society into clearing up London slums. In America, when adults became desperate for jobs during the Great Depression, we finally reformed child labor policies for good. God does not give us children for selfish exploitation but to train and teach them for healthy and productive living. The solution is not to shield children from work but to model a joyful and constructive respect for honest work, while allowing room for healthy play.

GAMBLING:

As with slavery, gambling seeks to reap great gains in wealth over the sacrifices, losses or labors of others. In both slavery and gambling, one side wins and the other loses. Unlike slavery, gambling is consensual. But when the government profits from it, the poor disproportionately lose their shirts. When gambling institutions thrive, far too many lives and families are destroyed. It is largely an addictive vice rooted in greed and most of its victims sought it out as an alternative to honest hard work.

Second, it is honest. Wait, I said that. Well, it’s worth saying again.

Scottish historian, Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) said in a speech, "Work is the grandest cure of all the maladies and miseries that ever beset mankind." This may over-state it, but the maladies mentioned above sure could have been cured by a better work ethic. Elsewhere, Carlyle wrote, “A fair day’s wages for a fair day’s work: it is as just a demand as governed men ever made of governing.” (Past and Present, 1843).

Jesus said, “The laborer is worthy of his hire.” (Luke 10:7). Paul wrote, “For each one should carry his own load.” (Galatians 6:5). Elsewhere, he added, “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). He then urged idlers to “settle down and earn the bread they eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:12).

The best and briefest way to finish this article is to just steal the thunder of other authors. Hey, it beats sweating over coming up with better ideas on my own (smile). So, enjoy the following maxims:: "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." ~ Thomas Edison (1847-1931).; “Work as if you were to live 100 Years, Pray as if you were to die To-morrow.” ~ Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), Poor Richard's Almanack, 1757.; "When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt." ~ Henry J. Kaiser (1882-1967), American Industrialist.; "If you can't out smart people, out work them." ~ Bill Veeck (1914-1986), author, baseball owner.

And finally, my all-time favorite:

“Under the spreading chestnut tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith a mighty man is he
With large and sinewy hands.
And the muscle of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron band.
His brow is wet with honest sweat,
He earns whate’re he can,
And looks the whole world in the face,
For he owes not any man.”

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)
The Village Blacksmith

Joel Mark Solliday, B.A., M.Div., is the editor of Campus CrossWalk and the pulpit minister of the Northern Light Church of Christ in Minnesota. A Pepperdine graduate, he later served as a Missionary in Residence at ACU. He earned his M.Div. at Fuller Theological Seminary. His wife Katie is a junior high school teacher.