Exhortation Station

In Part I of this post, I introduced the topic of hard work and its importance in our lives by examining some passages in Genesis, Nehemiah, and Proverbs (see Hard Work – Part I).  In this post, I’d like to point out specific benefits of hard work, take a look at a few New Testament verses, and tie everything together with some final thoughts.

Let’s begin with Proverbs 22:29 — “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.”  Solomon witnessed this verse in action during his lifetime.  In 2 Chronicles 2, Solomon hired Huram from Tyre to do the work for the temple of Yahweh.  We are told that Huram was a “skilled man, endowed with understanding” (2 Chron 2:13).  Apparently, Huram had polished his skills to the point that he had gained a reputation for excellence.  Because of this, he got to literally stand before a king and work on one of the greatest masterpieces in history.

There’s a key principle here.  When we work hard using our Yah-given abilities, our abilities naturally grow stronger and become more polished.  This, in turn, leads to our being put in places of greater voice and influence, where we can be greater lights for the Kingdom of Yahweh. 

Even work ethic itself often gives us greater influence.  I believe my brother Chris has experienced this at the welding trade school he is attending.  Because of Chris’ work ethic and character, he has earned the respect of his fellow students.  This, it seems, has lead to conversations in which Chris has been able to share truth with other students.  Praise Yah!

Let’s summarize the benefits of work we’ve looked at so far: 1) work allows us to grow and strengthen our Yah-given skills, and 2) work leads to our being given greater influence for Yah’s Kingdom.

Let’s move on to Ecclesiastes 5:12 — “The sleep of the working man is pleasant, whether he eats little or much; but the full stomach of the rich man does not allow him to sleep.”  When we work hard, we learn to appreciate rest, and our rest is sweet.  Exodus 20:9,10 says, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is a sabbath of YHWH your Elohim; in it you shall not do any work…”  When we do, in fact, work diligently the other six days of the week, Yahweh’s set-apart Sabbath is all the more special!  Thus, we have Benefit of Work Number 3:  Hard work allows us to enjoy rest more.

Let’s take a look at some New Testament passages.

Colossians 3:23 — “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.”  This is a great one to memorize.

Listen carefully to this next passage.  These are good words of exhortation…

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 — “For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. ¹¹ For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. ¹² Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Yahshua Messiah to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread. ¹³ But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.”

What if your boss seems unreasonable?  1 Peter 2:18 says, “Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.”  If we are following Yah’s will, we can be sure He has a purpose for wherever He has placed us at the time, and wherever that place is, He expects us to give our all to what we do, working as for Him rather than for men.

Let’s review the benefits of work we’ve covered so far:

1) Work allows us to grow and strengthen our Yah-given skills,

2) Work leads to our having greater influence for Yah’s Kingdom,

3) Work allows us to appreciate and enjoy rest more,

All of this brings me to my final (and perhaps my favorite) observation regarding work.  Benefit of Work Number 4:  Work teaches us the indispensable lesson that we reap what we sow.  Sadly, many today are being led to believe that they can expect reward without work, but that’s not the way Yah designed things.  Proverbs 20:4 says, “The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, so he begs during the harvest and has nothing.”  Of course, there is a place for gifts — redemption from sin is a gift from Yah (Eph 2:8).  Yah’s design, however, is that work be a normal part of a healthy, blessed life.

Let’s conclude with John 6:27 — “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, Elohim, has set His seal.”  Is Yahshua saying we shouldn’t work to earn a living?  Given everything we’ve seen so far, that interpretation would not hold water.  Yahshua is saying, I believe, that we must set our ultimate ambitions not on earthly things, but rather on heavenly things.  It is of utmost importance that our motivation for work be in the right place before Yah.  In cases where people work hard, earn lots of money, and become greedy, it’s not the work ethic or the money that’s the problem — the problem is the “love of money” (1 Tim 6:10).

Whether we’re sharing the gospel, digging post holes, building houses, or searching the Scriptures to discern between truth and error, let’s give all we’ve got to the work at hand.  As we do, let us consistently ask ourselves, “what is my motivation?  Am I working for the love of self-gain or for the love of Yahweh?”  May it be the latter!

2 Timothy 2:15 — “Be diligent to present yourself approved to Elohim as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”

(All Bible passages NASB; Hebrew transl. and emphasis added.)