"For all the saints, who from their labors rest…" is a hymn we sing at church.
From what labors did you rest on Labor Day?
Many of us enjoyed the day off work, but we still labored in different ways, such as cleaning the house or mowing the lawn. Others enjoyed barbecues, playing at the beach and shopping. (In my case, I wrote a newspaper article.)
Many people, especially those in retail, worked on Labor Day.
That's fine, too, because our hard work is a gift from God.
In the Bible, Ecclesiastes 3:13 states, "Every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor — it is the gift of God."
My husband and I have always felt that, whatever job we have, we are to do our work as unto the Lord, as it also states in the Bible.
Colossians 3:23-24 states, "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord, rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."
We may have a job we don't love, or a boss who can be difficult, but the Lord will bless the work of our hands when we work for His glory.
This verse also applies to household chores we hate, such as scrubbing floors, cleaning litter boxes, doing laundry, yard work and so forth.
It also applies to those who work or volunteer at churches, including nursery workers, Sunday school teachers, choir members, Bible study leaders and those who cook meals.
As a Christian, I am to work for the Lord and, after my career is finished, I am to continue to do the Lord's work, bringing others to Christ.
Our labor on behalf of the Kingdom of God should never cease; God created us with a purpose; we are to please and enjoy Him with our entire being.
So, for whom do you work? Where is your focus — on the prize of heaven, or earthly gain?
Janice Lynn Crose lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CROSE: Is your focus on heavenly or earthly gain?