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.
Poverty brings a man low:
But the hands of the vigorous make rich.
A son who is instructed shall be wise,
And shall use the fool for a servant.
The hand of chosen men shall easily obtain rule;
But the deceitful shall be for a prey.
The hand of chosen men shall easily obtain rule;
But the deceitful shall be for a prey.
With everyone who is careful there is abundance:
But the pleasure taking and indolent shall be in want.
Go to the ant, O sluggard;
And see, and emulate his ways,
And become wiser than he.
For whereas he has no husbandry,
Nor anyone to compel him,
And is under no master,
He prepares food for himself in the summer,
And lays by abundant store in harvest.
Or go to the bee,
And learn how diligent she is,
And how earnestly she is engaged in her work;
Whose labors kings and private men use for health,
And she is desired and respected by all:
Though weak in body,
She is advanced by honoring wisdom.
How long wilt thou lie, O sluggard?
And when wilt thou awake out of sleep?
Thou sleepest a little, and thou restest a little, and thou slumberest a short time,
And thou foldest thine arms over thy breast a little.
Then poverty comes upon thee as an evil traveler,
And want as a swift courier:
But if thou be diligent, thy harvest shall arrive as a fountain,
And poverty shall flee away as a bad courier.
A man who helps not himself by his labor
Is brother of him that ruins himself.
Love not to speak ill, lest thou be cut off:
Open thine eyes, and be filled with bread.
Wealth gotten hastily with iniquity is diminished:
But he that gathers for himself with godliness shall be increased.
The righteous is merciful, and lends.
The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the righteous;
It enriches him, and grief of heart shall not be added to it.
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.
It is fit that an observant man and one diligent in his business
Should attend on kings,
And not attend on slothful men.
Whatsoever thy hand shall find to do,
Do with all thy might;
For there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge,
Nor wisdom, in Hades 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.
I know that there is no good in them,
Except for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
Also in the case of every man who shall eat and drink,
And see good in all his labor,
This is a gift of God.
Yea, and as for every man to whom God has given
Wealth and possessions, and has given him
Power to eat thereof, and to receive his portion,
And to rejoice in his labor;
This is the gift of God.
For he shall not much remember the days of his life;
For God troubles him in the mirth of his heart.
Two are better than one,
Seeing they have a good reward for their labor.
There is one alone, and there is not a second;
Yea, he has neither son nor brother:
Yet there is no end to all his labor;
Neither is his eye satisfied with wealth;
And for whom do I labor,
And deprive my soul of good?
This is also vanity,
And an evil trouble.
And I saw all labor,
And all the diligent work,
That this is a man’s envy from his neighbor.
This is also vanity and waywardness of spirit.
A responsabilidade cristã
O cristão deve trabalhar com suas próprias mãos, viver dignamente e ser exemplo de dedicação. Quem não trabalha, não coma.