On the Purpose and Dignity of Labor

For 125 years now the United States has observed Labor Day. Here is what Samuel Gompers, founder and longtime president of the American Federation of Labor, said of the holiday: “All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man's prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation.” No, it is simply devoted to the American worker, on whose back this great nation has been built.

But for the Christian person, Labor Day presents a unique opportunity to reflect on the nature and meaning of our labor. Colossians 3:23-24 provides particularly good fodder for such meditation: “Whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

Regardless of what line of work we’re in, and whether it’s blue-collar or white-collar or home-based, the purpose of our labor is the glory of God. As Christian laborers, we do not work primarily for companies, we work for the Lord. And so our passion and commitment to excellence and joy at work should flow from the fountain of this fact—Jesus Christ is our true boss! Ultimately, we will answer to him and ultimately we will take our reward from him: we serve the Lord, not men.

There is great dignity in our labor when we labor for the glory of God. So whatever your labor, learn to work heartily as for the Lord!

Laboring with you for the glory of Christ,
Pastor Charlie