More Than Just a Job: Our Vocation as Kingdom Service

Reframing Work as Ministry to Christ

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23–24.

We must do all our work as though the Lord Jesus were our employer. That means we give our best because we want to honor and serve God and do our work with excellence and integrity.

We are serving Jesus on the job. We do not divide life into the holy and the secular. At work, you represent your Father, so work like it.

We worship through our work. Everyday tasks are our opportunities to glorify God. Our approach to our work is based on our relationship with God.

God rewards us for our work, not our pay or the recognition of a boss, manager, or leader.

We celebrate Labor Day today, so I wanted to share some things about work and labor with you.

The source where I got a great deal of my information can be found here.¹

What is Labor Day?

• Labor Day is a public holiday honoring workers and the labor movement.

• It is a time for families to barbecue and spend time in outdoor activities.

• It is the symbolic end of summer.

• It is a day to honor the American labor movement.

• Day to think about how American workers have achieved great things economically and socially.

Origin of Labor Day

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, many people worked at least 60 hours a week. Domestic cooks worked 78 to 83 hours for an excellent salary of 9 cents hourly. Sunday was the only day off, and occasionally, a half day on Saturday.

After the Civil War, many began clamoring for an eight-hour, five-day work week. Workers often perceived themselves as little more than slaves to their employers.

Working 12 to 14 hours weighed heavy on the workers. On May 1, 1886, the unions and political activists pushed for a May Day strike, asking for an 8-hour workday. The day ended in tragedy with a bombing in Haymarket Square in Chicago.

It would be after World War I before workers prevailed in their petition for the 8-hour day.

In 1916, a federal law gave workers more leverage to demand fewer hours and shorter work weeks.

Finally, in 1894, after a series of strikes and protests, Labor Day became a federal holiday in the United States.

Modern Work Week

Henry Ford created what we know as the standard workweek. He was building the Model T. Workers wouldn’t continue working for him, as the work was very repetitive and hard. No one wanted to work, so Ford offered $5 a week for an 8-hour workday and working only 5 days.

Other companies followed Henry Ford’s lead. Franklin D. Roosevelt finally passed the law. The federal minimum wage was $12 to $15 a week. Children under 16 couldn’t work even 40 hours a week. There were still battles, but the 40-hour work week slowly became the standard.

As a kid on the farm, I often got paid $1 per hour and, on good days, $1.50. The minimum wage when I started work was $1.60.

Official Labor Day

People celebrated the first official Labor Day on September 5, 1882.

Today, people celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday of September.

The original idea was a reminder of the ongoing fight for worker’s rights.

The Believer’s Attitude

We work with a heart of service. Our heart desires to glorify God. Think of Joseph in the Genesis. Wherever he was, those in charge of him prospered because God was with him.

We seek to reflect God’s character through diligence and a servant-hearted, spirit-filled approach to our work.

So serve sincerely. No matter the task, give it your best.

Work willingly with respect towards your employer because you know you serve God, not man.

Do all you do for the glory of God. Do not think you should be or act differently on holy days rather than secular work days.

Quotes

To pray without labouring is to mock God: to labour without prayer is to rob God of his glory. Robert Haldane (Scottish Evangelist)

If you have accumulated wealth, expend it on others; if you have the faculty of teaching, do not bury the talent, but bring it out publicly for the sake of those who need it! Or if you have any other advantage, become useful to those who require the benefit of your labors! Do you not see that for this reason, especially, the bee is more honored than the other animals; not because she labors, but because she labors for others? For the spider also labors, and toils, and spreads out his fine textures over the walls, surpassing the utmost skill of woman; but the creature is without estimation, since his work is in no way profitable to us; such are those who labor and toil, but for themselves! John Chrysostom

1. https://www.history.com/news/five-day-work-week-labor-movement?cmpid=email-hist-inside-history-onequestion-2024-0830-08302024&om_rid=