Men Ought to Work and Work Hard

There are very men complaints from our women and the society at large that some men have become very lazy and that they don’t want to work. They are depending on their wives for a living. This is seriously wrong. Every man ought to work and eat from his labour. You cannot sit and expect to be taken care of in all areas of life.

2 Thessalonians 3:10;  For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." (NIV)

Genesis 2:15;  "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it."

God made us workers so that we might be like Him and have the joy and fulfillment of doing with the world something like the thing He Himself does. We were made to work. If we truly ordered our lives according to the biblical idea of work, we would ask of ourselves and our work not ‘How much will I make?’ but ‘Will this work use my abilities and gifts to the fullest?’

If we cannot see the work we do in some way the fulfillment of our call to be like God and to exercise His love and authority over creation, then one of two things is wrong. Either we lack the vision or skill to see and should ask God for clarity to relate the work we do to His purposes or the work that we are doing is unworthy and we should promptly get out of it.

God’s purpose for work is not…

• To make a living.
• To work so that I can rest.
• To accumulate wealth.
• To secure the future
• To enhance social status.

God’s purpose for work is…

• To serve and glorify God.
• To be good stewards of the gifts and graces of God.
• To extend God’s kingdom and fulfill His purpose.
• To benefit mankind.
• To bless others.
• To meet human needs.
• To accomplish God’s will for my life.
• To become all that God has made it possible for me to become in Christ.

”Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.” This old Chinese proverb could not be truer. Hard work sometimes seems to be a dying art form that we are failing to teach our children. The truth is, there is great value in hard work. Hard work teaches perseverance, persistence, and determination. It teaches us that hard work pays off. It teaches us to push through when times are tough. Not everything in life is easy. It isn’t good to always have your hand out, waiting on someone to give you something. Work for it. There is great satisfaction in putting in a hard day’s work and earning income for your diligence.

While there are many different attitudes toward work, one thing remains constant: work must be done. Since the Garden of Eden everyone has worked or depended on someone else's work for their survival. Work sets a person's lifestyle—where you live, when you sleep and eat, the time with family, even your dress.

The Importance of Working

•  Work is ordained by God. The Bible declares that God worked. Like God, you have the ability to work, make plans, implement them, and be creative.
• Work is for a lifetime. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground. Gen 3:19. Meaningful activity plays a critical role in being a human being - whether paid or volunteer.
• Work is not a punishment. A human being can do nothing better than...find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without Him, who can eat or find enjoyment. Ecc. 2:24-25
•  Work has three purposes: To provide money or resources to supply the necessities of life ; To provide for a quality of life in the satisfaction of doing a job well and ; To serve God.
•  Work calls for obedience. Even when the boss isn't looking, a good worker is consistent and diligent to the task and loyal to the organization.
• Work should be done with excellence. Ephesians 6:6-7. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, (NIV). You are to render service, as to the Lord, and not to men; not to be men-pleasers but God-pleasers. God's standard of excellence needs to be the human standard.
• Work is honorable. All professions and all kinds of work, assuming they are legal and biblically ethical, are honorable before the Lord. There is no dichotomy between sacred and secular work. All work brings glory to God and fulfillment to you, if it is done to God's glory.
•  Work provides an opportunity for witness. You manifest a powerful message, both verbal and nonverbal, of a supernatural approach to work. The world today needs this powerful witness to the reality of Christ and the difference that He makes in His followers.

We need to work and work hard. This attitude will not only benefit us but our families and society at large. We must set good examples of working. This will be useful to our children as they grow up. You cannot sit and others work for you. No and No.