The Sanctity of Labor

Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

As the result of efforts by organized labor, Labor Day became a federal holiday in this country in 1894. Similar recognition of the importance of labor exists throughout the world. Although advocacy for this recognition lay mostly with labor organizations, the honor and appreciation we accord labor belongs to everyone who performs any kind of work. All honest labor, be it manual labor or esoteric scientific research, is sacred.

As we celebrate Labor Day, the faithful should consider how our daily endeavors intersect with our faith. It is not difficult to understand that labor is a part of God’s plan for us. We were created with needs for products and services that can only be met with human effort, labor. Even in Eden, we read in Genesis 2:15 that Adam was given a job to do. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.”

Both the scriptures and our secular society expect adults to accept personal responsibility for supporting themselves and their dependents.

2 Thessalonians 3:10b is blunt: “If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat.” With varying degrees of effectiveness, modern society tries to address the needs of those who lack the physical or mental capacity to be self-sufficient.

Our labor takes three directions. We work to directly provide services and products for ourselves and our dependents, and we participate in an economy that compensates us for vocations so we may purchase goods and services from others. The third direction enhances the quality of all our lives.

It is the labor of volunteers, people who labor for the benefit of our society without compensation in response to the second Great Commandment to love our neighbors.

Comments honoring labor often speak of “honest labor” because labor should be performed with integrity, honesty with respect to employers, employees, colleagues, customers, and others with whom we may engage in work-related relationships. We know many efforts do not conform to this standard including criminal activities, careless or negligent performance, and people taking unfair advantage of each other.

Our labor is to be the product of our best efforts. “Whatever task you must do, work as if your soul depends on it, as for the Lord and not for humans,….” Colossians 3:23. Colossians 3:17 tells us, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Similar direction is provided in other scripture. The late Dolly Parton was not alone in exemplifying the appropriate attitude when she prayed before each performance that it would be a blessing to her audience.

We are to take pride in our work, notwithstanding the many scriptures that condemn pride. The condemnation is of conceit, arrogance, and self-aggrandizement. Other scripture recognizes the appropriateness of the humble pride of one who applies God-given gifts with diligence and care to perform as God would have him or her perform. Galatians 6:4 tells us, “All must test their own work; then that work, …, will become a cause for pride.”

The important role of compassion in our labor varies considerably. Suffice it to say, whatever we do should be done so as to incorporate compassion for those involved and affected, those whom Christ designates as the neighbors we are to love.

Let us enjoy Labor Day and take time to recommit to incorporation of our religious values into our labor.

Rev. John Jackson is an Air Force veteran and the pastor of Camp Street United Methodist Church in Jamestown. He was called to pastoral ministry in 2011, after retiring from a previous career and moving into this area in 2006. Pastor John’s church involvement includes presidency of the Conference trustees, chair of the district lay speaker committee, and member of the District Superintendent committee in addition to local church responsibilities. John served as a lay speaker for many years, and after retirement became a licensed local pastor, pastoring North Harmony UMC for six years and serving as associate pastor at Hurlbut UMC for several years thereafter.