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 laboreth with an indolent hand, but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
24 The hand of the diligent will bear rule; but the indolent must become tributary.
24 The hand of the diligent will bear rule; but the indolent must become tributary.
23 In all painful labor there is profit; but mere words of the lips lead only to want.
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; look on her ways, and become wise.7 She, that hath no prince, officer, or ruler,8 Provideth in the summer her provision, gathereth in harvesttime her food.9 How long, O sluggard, wilt thou lie down? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?10 "A little more sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands in lying down;"11 But then will thy poverty come like a rover, and thy want as a man armed with a shield.
9 He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty: open thy eyes, so wilt thou be satisfied with bread.
11 Wealth gotten by vain deeds will be diminished; but he that gathereth by close labor will increase it.
22 The blessing of the Lord it is which maketh rich, and painful labor 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 unto the Lord thy works, and thy plans will be firmly established.
3 Commit unto the Lord thy works, and thy plans will be firmly established.
29 Seest thou a man that is diligent in his work? before kings may he place himself: let him not place himself before obscure men.
10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do with thy might, that do; for there is no work, nor experience, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the nether world, 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 good inherent in them, but for every one to rejoice and to do what is good during all his life.13 For also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy what is good for all his toil, is likewise a gift of God.
18 (5:17) Behold, what I have truly seen as a good thing, that it is fitting to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all ones toil that he taketh under the sun the number of the days of his life, which God hath given him; for this is his portion.
19 (5:18) Also every man to whom God hath given riches and property, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his toil this is the gift of God.
9 Two are better than one; because they will have a good reward for their toil.
8 There is one alone, and he hath not a companion; yea, he hath neither son nor brother: yet is there no end to all his toil; his eye also is not satisfied with riches. Yet for whom do I toil, and deprive my soul of good? Also this is vanity, yea, it is a bad employment.
4 Again, I beheld all the toil, and all the energy in doing, that it is from the envy of one man of his neighbor. Also this is vanity and a torture of the spirit.
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 may the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us; and the work of our hands do thou firmly establish upon us: yea, the work of our handsfirmly establish thou it.