The Dignity of Work

GOLDEN TEXT: “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” —Proverbs 22:29

PROVERBS 6:6-11; 18:9; 24:30-34

WHEN our first parents were sentenced to death the Lord said to them that of the sweat of their faces they would eat bread all the days of their lives. (Gen. 3:19) From this standpoint, therefore, hard, servile labor may be looked upon as a punishment for sin. In the wisdom of God, however, the necessity for toil has served mankind as a blessing in disguise, for to the extent that their minds and bodies have been occupied by the necessity of earning a living, all have been hindered from falling into deeper depths of degradation and sin.

There is every reason to believe that we are now nearing the end of man’s work-week of struggle against sin and death, and already entering into the early morning hours of a sabbath of rest. Many students of the Bible believe that the advent of labor-saving machinery is even now helping to remove this phase of the curse which came upon the fallen race. At the same time, and apart from supplying the sinews of war, machinery is posing the great problem of unemployment, which, while the hearts of men remain selfish, is freighted with serious possibilities.

Honest toil for one who is healthy in body and mind is not burdensome. In fact, most people enjoy work, especially in a field of their own choosing, and if sufficient time is left for recreation and rest. But there have always been some misfits in human society—“sluggards,” the Bible calls them—who have been slothful, indolent, and lazy. These have expected their friends, or the community, to provide their living. Perhaps the kindest thing we could say about these is that their attitude is an inherited disease for which they are not entirely responsible.

We believe, however, that the primary application of our lesson should be to work and workers in the Lord’s vineyard. The Apostle Paul wrote to Christians, saying that they should not be “slothful in business,” but “fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” (Rom. 12:11) The Christian’s chief business is making his calling and election sure to live and reign with Christ.

In the pursuit of this calling, we, in keeping with the illustration of the industrious ant, are making provision for the future. Jesus speaks of it as laying up “treasures in heaven.” (Matt. 6:20) The work incident to this is difficult, but joyous; so we are admonished not to be weary in welldoing, assured that in due time we shall reap, if we faint not.—Gal. 6:9

As we labor in the Lord’s vineyard we should avoid being “wasters,” either of material things or of our spiritual blessings. All the various phases, or doctrines, of the Word are the tools the Lord has given to us with which to work, both in the development of our character in the divine image and in bearing witness to the truth that others may learn of his love. The Lord is pleased when we are diligent in both of these ways.

The lesson learned by the man who visited the field of the slothful is one to cause sober thought if we find ourselves at all inclined to become “weary” in the Lord’s work. The field was unkept and disorderly, with thorns and weeds growing everywhere, and the wall broken down. So also will our spiritual “vineyards” be, if we become spiritually “slothful.”

Unless watchful and alert, we may not realize at first that a stupor is coming over us. We may take the attitude that this is just a “little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands” necessary to recuperate strength to continue the work. But each “folding of the hands” is an inducement to further lethargy, and might well lead to permanent spiritual sleep.

The indolent and slothful are not aware of what is happening to their “field”; they are sleeping too soundly to observe. But an alert “visitor” sees the evidence at once. The Lord has provided a strong wall of truth to protect our spiritual gardens. While we are awake and alert we will not permit the Adversary to break down this wall. To allow the removal of the doctrines would therefore be an evidence of spiritual drowsiness. The presence of “thorns” and “nettles” instead of the “fruit of the spirit” would be another evidence. A disorderly spiritual life, and failure to keep the body under, would be other such evidences. Let us keep awake and alert, that our “fields” may be an honor to the Lord and a blessing to those who “visit” them.

If we do remain “diligent” spiritually, we will maintain our standing of approval before the great King of heaven. Evil ones in the world will not appreciate our zeal, but it will be a sweet incense to the Lord, and at the end we will hear his “well done.”

QUESTIONS

Is work a curse or blessing to mankind?

Is there reason to believe that the time is near when the burden of hard toil will be lifted?

What is the primary application of our lesson with respect to work?

How does the habit of the ant illustrate Christian effort?

How can we be wasters of spiritual things?

What lessons were learned by the one who visited the field of a slothful person?

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