Category: Work

The book of Haggai is a short work, a series of messages from the prophet to Zerubbabel (governor), Judah (high priest) and the remnant of Judah who had returned from Babylonian captivity. The people had returned to rebuild the temple, but years had passed with it unfinished. An introduction to the book indicated that Haggai’s message was a call for renewal, a renewal of courage, holiness, and faith. This seems to be a rather apt description of the message God gave to the prophet.

First, notice why the people had left the temple unfinished for several years. “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins? Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Consider your ways!’” (Haggai 1:4-5). The people had become distracted, shifting their priorities from the greater to the lesser. They were more concerned for their own comfort than for serving the Lord. Misplaced priorities are a big problem for just about every generation! In this the returned exiles were typical, “It is time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” The remedy is, as stated,  to “consider your ways!” Continue reading “Working on the House of the Lord” →

Tomorrow is labor day, a federal holiday celebrating those who work for a living, created and passed into law by President Grover Cleveland in 1894. It is a result of tensions in the newly industrialized nation, as labor unions sought to improve working standards and practices for manual laborers.  Since then, every first Sunday in September is a federal holiday, with all federal government employees, and many private company workers enjoying a day off.

Interestingly, the Bible has much to say about the importance, value and significance of working for a living. Consider the following, among many verses:

(Colossians 3:23, ESV), “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”

(Ecclesiastes 3:12-13), “I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, ¹³ and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.”

(Ephesians 4:28), “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.”

(Proverbs 18:9) “He who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.”

(2 Thessalonians 3:10), “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.”