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.
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people,
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
With goodwill render service, as to the Lord, and not to people, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, whether slave or free.
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.
Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
All that you do must be done in love.
Diligência e recompensa
A mão diligente enriquece, mas a preguiça traz pobreza. A Bíblia valoriza o esforço honesto, dedicado e perseverante em toda obra.
Poor is one who works with a lazy hand,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the lazy hand will be put to forced labor.
The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the lazy hand will be put to forced labor.
In all labor there is profit,
But mere talk leads only to poverty.
Go to the ant, you lazy one,
Observe its ways and be wise,
Which, having no chief,
Officer, or ruler,
Prepares its food in the summer
And gathers its provision in the harvest.
How long will you lie down, you lazy one?
When will you arise from your sleep?
"A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest,"
Then your poverty will come in like a drifter,
And your need like an armed man.
He also who is lax in his work
Is a brother to him who destroys.
Do not love sleep, or you will become poor;
Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with food.
Wealth obtained from nothing dwindles,
But one who gathers by labor increases it.
It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich,
And He adds no sorrow 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.
Commit your works to the Lord,
And your plans will be established.
Commit your works to the Lord,
And your plans will be established.
Do you see a person skilled in his work?
He will stand before kings;
He will not stand before obscure people.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.
Do all things without complaining or arguments; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,
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 nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; moreover, that every person who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—this is the gift of God.
Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink, and enjoy oneself in all one’s labor in which he labors under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward.
Furthermore, as for every person to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also given him the opportunity to enjoy them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God.
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor;
There was a man without a dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches, and he never asked, "And for whom do I labor and deprive myself of pleasure?" This too is futility, and it is an unhappy task.
I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a person and his neighbor. This too is futility and 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.
For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. Now we command and exhort such persons in the Lord Jesus Christ to work peacefully and eat their own bread.
and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we instructed you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.
The one who steals must no longer steal; but rather he must labor, producing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with the one who has need.
And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;
Consequently, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.
May the kindness of the Lord our God be upon us;
And confirm for us the work of our hands;
Yes, confirm the work of our hands.
Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they?
And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father.
But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace.
Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.