Trabalho
O trabalho é uma ordenança divina desde a criação. Deus colocou o homem no jardim para cultivar e guardar, revelando que o labor é parte do propósito humano e um meio de glorificá-lo.
Trabalho como vocação divina
Deus nos criou para trabalhar com propósito. O trabalho é expressão da imagem divina em nós e deve ser feito como para o Senhor.
Diligência e recompensa
A mão diligente enriquece, mas a preguiça traz pobreza. A Bíblia valoriza o esforço honesto, dedicado e perseverante em toda obra.
4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand; but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; but the slothful shall be under tribute.
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; but the slothful shall be under tribute.
23 In all labour there is profit; but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise;7 Which having no chief, overseer, or ruler,8 Provideth her bread in the summer, and gatherest her food in the harvest.9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?10 'Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep'--11 So shall thy poverty come as a runner, and thy want as an armed man.
9 Even one that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.
13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt have bread in plenty.
11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished; but he that gathereth little by little shall increase.
22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and toil addeth nothing thereto.
Planejamento e excelência
A excelência no trabalho honra a Deus. Devemos nos dedicar com competência, entregar nossos planos ao Senhor e buscar o melhor em cada tarefa.
3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
10 Whatsoever thy hand attaineth to do by thy strength, that do; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
O contentamento no trabalho
Deus nos dá a capacidade de desfrutar do nosso trabalho. Poder comer, beber e encontrar satisfação em nosso labor é um dom divino.
12 I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to get pleasure so long as they live.13 But also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy pleasure for all his labour, is the gift of God.
18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good, yea, it is comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy pleasure for all his labour, wherein he laboureth under the sun, all the days of his life which God hath given him; for this is his portion.
19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour--this is the gift of God.
9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
8 There is one that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches: 'for whom then do I labour, and bereave my soul of pleasure?' This also is vanity, yea, it is a grievous business.
4 Again, I considered all labour and all excelling in work, that it is a man's rivalry with his neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
A responsabilidade cristã
O cristão deve trabalhar com suas próprias mãos, viver dignamente e ser exemplo de dedicação. Quem não trabalha, não coma.
17 And let the graciousness of the Lord our God be upon us; establish Thou also upon us the work of our hands; yea, the work of our hands establish Thou it.