Psalm 90:17 "Let the beauty of the Lord be upon us; and establish thou the work of our hands."

This is a quote my dad always used to use, and it has stuck in my mind all these years. Whatever work we do, if it isn't done for God, it is a waste of time. God tells us that we must work, but He doesn't tell us what we must do. (Being called to specific tasks is another subject, not under discussion here.)

In II Thessalonians 3:8-11, Paul taught the Christians that they must work, occupy themselves, not only in order for them to have a means of support, but so that they would stay our of trouble, and keep from becoming busybodies. He set an example for them by working day and night at his trade. (he was a tentmaker) He said, in v.10: "That if any would not work, neither should he eat." In I Thessalonians 4:11, he taught: (here I quote NIV, as it makes the meaning clearer): "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your own hands.... v.12 so that your daily life may win respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."

My sister told me this little story about her granddaughter. One Christmas a few years ago, she was visiting her daughter, who has five children. The oldest girl, a very grown-up seven at the time, was busily working on a potholder to give to her mother for Christmas. She went up to her Grandma and said, "Grandmother, will you help me finish this? I am afraid I won't get it finished in time."

My sister answered, "Well, you know, Hannah, I should be out working in the kitchen, helping to get supper ready. God tells us that we have to work. He says that if we do not work, we cannot eat."

To this Hannah replied, "Yes, that's true, but helping me with this potholder is work."

"But that is 'fun work.'" said my sister, "I have to do 'real work.'"

"But Grandmother," Hannah persisted. "God just says that we must work. He doesn't say that the work can't be fun."

Needless to say, "Grandmother" helped Hannah finish the potholder, and at the same time learned from the mouth of a babe the true meaning of what God was telling us when He said: "Occupy till I come." Luke 19:13.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 tells us: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither thou goest."

I Corinthians 3:13: "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is."

© Helen Dowd