Good morning on this Labor Day weekend. Many people enjoy the Labor Day holiday without giving much thought to the significance of the day, a day to honor the labors of people throughout our great country. For most people it marks the end of summer, the return to school (less so now with year-around calendars in so many districts), parades, speeches, picnics, and a day off from work. However, labor in the Bible is a is as old as creation and was ordained by God (Genesis 3:17-19). In fact one of the 10 Commandments is devoted to it wherein God says, Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God... (Exodus 20:9-10). We are told regarding our labor to not be slack, that a man who refuses to work should not eat, that our work is important to God and that work has a spiritual side. In 1 Corinthians 15:10, Paul states that he has labored more abundantly than they all and associates his labors with the grace of God which was with him. Without the grace of God we would not have the strength or ability to work or serve. Also associated with our labors are faith and prayer. The Bible says, The laborer is worthy of his hire (Luke 10:7). Employers should be fair and just to their employees and an employee should be the same to their employer. When we live by these Biblical principles, every day will be a genuine Labor Day.
Tomorrow's sermon is entitled, A Fly In The Ointment. I hope to see you there.
Mel Brown