With each passing wave of stimulus checks we get closer and closer to the notion that the state should simply send everyone a check every month, or at least, send a check to everyone who doesn’t earn one in the marketplace. If the government can make money out of the blue, (they can’t), if such stimulates the economy, (it doesn’t), if education, health care, food, housing are human rights in the sense that they are owed to us (they aren’t) what’s wrong with the idea?
The Issue is Us
There are a trillion economic reasons why such an idea is a truckload of trains looking for a collision. They are not, however, my concern. The reason Paul says that if a man will not work he should not eat (II Thessalonians 3:10) isn’t because he’s concerned about what such would do to the stock market. It’s because of what it does to the man. What is that? It dehumanizes him. That is, giving stuff, even food, to those unwilling to work isn’t honoring but dishonoring the man’s humanity.
Made for Work
Though we have lost sight of it, the truth is that according to God’s Word, we were made for work. God commanded of our first parents that they be fruitful and multiply, that they fill the earth and subdue it. That doesn’t merely take work, but defines it. That’s what work is. As God’s image bearers we reflect His glory by reflecting the glory of His work in creation by recreating. He took nothing and made from it everything. We take everything He made and reshape it, mold it, form it into violins, steam engines and smart phones.
Curse ON Work
Our first parents ate what wasn’t theirs to eat. And it didn’t go well after that. God, in fact, pronounced a curse upon our work. Eve would bring forth children in great pain. Adam would find the ground infested with thorns and thistles, getting his bread by the sweat of his brow. Work would have intermingled with all its blessings, hardship and difficulty. The crafty serpent has, too often, persuaded us that because our work is cursed that work is a curse.
Blessing of Weariness
Removing work from a man removes the man from the man. It denies his purpose which in turn denies his person. It is distortion, perversion, a twisting. One need not, however, be on the dole to fall for this. The truth is we all need to embrace more fully the blessing of work. We need to stop seeing it as merely something we have to do so we can afford to do what we want to do and start seeing it as something we get to do because of the grace of God. We need to embrace our work, take joy in it, and when we crawl into bed weary, to give thanks. Weary is the exact right way to go to bed.
Our Faithful Father
It can be tough to find work sufficient to support a family. My point certainly isn’t the shame anyone. Some times are harder than others. I get that. But those truths in no way undo this truth- work is who we are. He has not left us orphans. Ask Him for a fish, and He will give you a job to do. Let us work on our work, with fear and trembling, knowing it is He who is working in us, both to do and to will His good pleasure.
That was a great article! I needed to hear that.
Thank you John. Much appreciated.