Labor Day
What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man. Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 (ESV)
It’s a well-established holiday, and most people are happy to have a day off. I can’t help wondering how many people think about why we celebrate Labor Day. Oh, sure, some will “Google it” and discover the history of this holiday. On the other hand, there are some who do not want to labor or work, but would rather rely upon others to labor and provide for them.
There are blessings that come to us because we work. As God blesses with health and ability, people labor to earn money to provide for themselves and their families.
In the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon takes a look at all of our labors under the sun. We expect him to say that it’s all empty (and it is without a living relationship with the Living God). What he says rings true with our own experience. There is satisfaction and pleasure in a job well done. When we look back on a completed project, we recognize the wisdom of God in telling us to work.
Celebrate Labor Day. Take pleasure in your work. Then rejoice in Jesus’ completed work on Calvary and see how God has paid for eternity for you.
So may we when our work is done
Together stand before Thy throne
And joyful hearts and voices raise
In one united song of praise,
With all the bright celestial host,
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
The Lutheran Hymnal 493:4