A BIBLICAL WORK ETHIC AND CHILDREN

Updated: 2 days ago

Parenting is perhaps one of the most difficult and challenging of all tasks that a person will undertake in their lives. Those who are in the midst of parenting or who now have adult children, know this all too well. Many reasons account for the struggle but perhaps one of the greatest contributors is our lack of being intentional about those factors that matter most. Although we know all too well that breakfast isn’t enjoyed unless someone prepares it, beds don’t get made unless someone makes them, and houses do not get cleaned unless someone cleans it, we seem to forget that children do not learn unless someone teaches them!

For some of us, the words of Dickens strike a familiar tune, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”. Any good-hearted, God-loving parent, will be quick to point out the amazing blessings that come from child-rearing. However, that same parent, assuming he or she is honest, will also be quick to confess to the reality of the pain and angst that comes with being a parent. Perhaps we should have paid more attention to the second line in Dickens's literary masterpiece which says, “It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness”!

Don’t misunderstand, I am not suggesting that the “Tale of Two Cities” was a work on parenting. Nevertheless, there is something profoundly instructive about the reality that child-rearing is a messy conglomeration of wisdom and foolishness. Few areas highlight this struggle in greater clarity than in the arena of “work”. Whether you call it familial responsibilities, chores, duties or jobs…each and every family operates within a structure that requires some measure of work and cooperation. As the familiar idiom states, “Many hands make light work”. But perhaps even more important than leading our children towards the goal of getting things done is the greater goal of developing a “biblical work ethic”.

According to one online dictionary, a work ethic is, “a belief in the moral benefit and importance of work and its inherent ability to strengthen character.” In other words, more than simply teaching someone how to work, a work ethic is an internal reality that answers not “how”, but “why” we work. Throughout the remainder of this article, it is my hope to present an approach to teaching our children a strong work ethic, from a biblical perspective. In doing so, we will deal with four key points that will prove helpful. In short, we need to rescue their viewpoint, encourage their desire, combat their reluctance, and balance their approach to work. We will deal with each of these pursuits.

We need to rescue their viewpoint of work through the message we teach

-Biblical Perspective-

In his book, “Created for Work”, Bob Schultz makes the following observation:

“God didn’t have to put intricate designs on the wings of moths and butterflies. He could have made them all gray. He didn’t have to paint a frog’s eyes gold. He could have made them all black. God adds distinct and beautiful touches to each thing He makes. His energy and creativity are without measure. They overflow into everything He does. Drudgery and bare minimums have no part in His work. Whatever He makes is not only useful but also beautiful and fascinating. Some things He makes are very simple. Yet even their simplicity is a work of art. God puts His heart into His work. He doesn’t finish things just to get them over with. He commands us to do the same, “And whatever you do, do it heartily” (Colossians 3:23)[i]

In essence, Shultz has introduced us to the biblical perspective of work. Far from seeing work as a dreaded, necessary evil, for which we earnestly await our deliverance; work, when viewed accurately, takes on a whole new meaning. Consider the words of Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” This is of course just a single line from God’s word and we cannot build an entire understanding of work on it alone. However, we would be greatly amiss if we did not recognize the fact that our lives, all aspects, are to be lived for God. We typically have no problem with this sentiment when it comes to the more pious categories of life. However, to suggest that something as dreadful as a nine to five job is to be an arena in which we can bring God glory is at times far from us. How many of us go through life in a compartmentalized fashion, apportioning a certain amount to God, some to family, some to fun, and then ever so reluctantly, some to work!

As alluded to earlier, Colossians 3:23 is a single strand of truth from God’s word, but the message reverberates throughout. Take for instance 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV) Interestingly, the theme that seems to be presented in Scripture is that God is worthy of all our praise and all that we do should in some measure paint a picture of His worth. This is in essence what it means to “glorify God”. So what’s the takeaway? Simple, the phrase “whatever you do” includes work. Rather than relegating our work to a position of meaninglessness, we need to see it and communicate about it in a way that snatches it from the world of dread. Whether it be work as a doctor, an actress, a mail carrier, a cook, a CEO, a janitor, a store clerk, or a stay at home mom; all work has value and not just on a practical level.

Sadly, the true value of work is often missed, even in the minds and lives of well-meaning parents. In part, this is because we fail to understand the underpinning of a strong biblical work ethic. Work. does of course, have value for the ends that it accomplishes; money for food, bills, and fun. Yet, far more value is understood when we recognize the fact that work is ordained by God. As mentioned earlier, the God of the Bible is a working God. Even a cursory understanding of an all-powerful being would lead one to conclude that if He desired to do so, God could have simply created all things, including people, with a mere thought. However, He didn’t. We see great intentionality in the process of creation and we see a God of creativity and purpose who labors well at all He does!

In fact, far different than that which resides in the minds of many, “work” is not a result of the Fall; not a result of sin. Before we ever come to Genesis 3, which describes in painful detail the rebellion of Adam and Eve and subsequent consequences which God meted out to them, we have Genesis chapters 1 and 2. Consider for instance Genesis 2:15 which states, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” Not to be overlooked is the reality that work in some way became more toilsome after the Fall of Man (Genesis 3:17-19), but it must still be acknowledged that it was always part of God’s plan. In other words, work is good!

The practical take away of this is simple. If we as parents wish to teach our children a strong and healthy ethic of work, we must begin by making sure we rescue their viewpoint of it. Just as God reveals something of His majesty, creativity, love, and Glory through the work of His hands, we too are to reflect His worth and majesty through the work He provides for us to do. When we understand this, work becomes something far different than a mere necessity in life; it becomes an opportunity to reflect the greatness of God!

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We need to encourage their desire to work through the example we live

-Practical example-

More than simply teaching a message that rescues our children’s viewpoint of work, we must diligently labor to live out an example that will encourage their desire to work. Words are great and words well-spoken are often invaluable in their power to instruct and lead others. However, few things are more powerful in the lives of children than a life lived well! If we as parents fail to robustly embody the message of a biblical work ethic we are teaching our kids, we should not expect them to embody it either. Too often, we as parents try to teach, lecture, and instruct our children in the ways of wise living, never realizing that the most effective way to teach them is through a message written by action and affirmed by words. Certainly there is room here for a discussion on the formative years of a child. However, no matter what stage of parenting you might be in, it’s never too late to make the needed change in your own life. Parents, joyfully live what you loudly proclaim about work!

Although the language of example is not found in Deuteronomy 6:6-7, I do not at all find it to be a stretch to assume that it is implied. Consider these words in regards to our call to teach and be examples to our kids: “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” (Deuteronomy 6:6–7, ESV) One of the glaring take aways here is that the job of a parent is non-stop. Whether we are sitting, walking, lying down, or getting up…all of life is to be a classroom!

In regards to developing a strong biblical work ethic, parents have a huge responsibility. With the full knowledge that no one is perfect, parents are always on the stage of life before watching eyes and impressionable hearts! For this reason, parents must be ever mindful of the influence they wield. Practically speaking, this means that things like punctuality, diligence, striving for excellence, refusing to grumble and complain, thankfulness, servanthood, humility, and responsibility, are all character-traits that will either be encouraged or discouraged through our example.

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We need to combat their reluctance to work through the principles we champion

-Godly Warnings-

Tucked away over in the letter of 2 Thessalonians is a passage of Scripture that will strike fear into your very stomachs! In short, it says that if you refuse to work hard you shouldn’t expect to eat well. (Paraphrase of 2 Thes 3:10-11) This may sound like a cruel form of advice for those who are seeking to train up their children in the ways of the Lord. Suffice it to say, I would not suggest starving your children as a way of teaching them the value of hard work and danger of laziness. Nevertheless, there is a principle in this passage that is of great value. Simply said, “We reap what we sow”.

In some measure, you get out of something what you put into it. We see this principle in several places throughout Scripture and if our children do not learn it early on, they will fall prey to their own ignorance. God’s word is certainly not silent on the topic of laziness and procrastination. The warnings are plentiful! If we wish to lead our children to a strong biblical work ethic, we would do well to combat their natural reluctance to work hard by championing the principles of Scripture and heeding the warnings.

Let’s consider just a few.

1. Laziness often leads to strained relationships and offense.

“Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.” (Proverbs 10:26, ESV)

2. Laziness often leads to unfulfilled desires.

“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” (Proverbs 13:4, ESV)

3. Laziness often leads to poverty.

“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.” (Proverbs 6:10–11, ESV)

4. Laziness is often destructive.

“Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.” (Proverbs 18:9, ESV)

5. Laziness often leads to disrepair.

“Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.” (Ecclesiastes 10:18, ESV)

6. Laziness is often marked by difficulty in life.

“The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.” (Proverbs 15:19, ESV)

In addition to the above principles which speak to the dangers of laziness, there are numerous principles in God’s Word which help us capture and teach the ways of God as it relates to our work.

1. God is pleased when I give my all (Col 3:23-24)

2. God is pleased when I am honest (Psalm 15, Gen 39)

3. God is pleased when I submit (1 Tim 6:1, Rom 13:7)

4. God is pleased when I treat others in kindness (Lk 6:31, Rom 12:18)

5. God is pleased when I refuse to ignore unethical behavior (Eph 5:11-13)

6. God is pleased when I diligently plan for the future (Prov 21:5)

One thing is for certain, we will have no need to teach our children to be lazy, to put things off, or to choose the easy route.Children seem to come pre-packaged with such tendencies, though it may be more pronounced in some as opposed to others. Yet, the Scripture is not silent on the subject of work and provides an ample amount of guidance and insight. As parents, we can’t simply expect our children to pick these up along the way, we must be intentional about our efforts to instill them.

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We need to balance their approach of work through the priorities we uphold

-Prioritized living-

One of the subtle dangers that all parents have to contend against is inadvertently teaching our kids to become workaholics. It doesn’t happen overnight, but over time as we lead by word and example, if we do not make sure to leave room for rest, reprieve, and relaxation, we risk the danger of creating lop-sided children. Like anything lop-sided, the problem isn’t so much with wrong ingredients, but with too much of one thing or another. Such is the case with lop-sided children. They never learn the value of a balanced life, lived well. One author says it this way:

The solution to the work addiction is not just cutting down on hours. That simply creates a more frustrated workaholic. What needs to change is our thinking about work. That only comes as we adopt a stewardship mindset about work. God is the owner of all who has appointed us to work for Him. If we begin to live to please God in our work, instead of trying to meet all the demands of others or endlessly trying to prove ourselves, we will find balance. God expects us to work hard and even put in extra effort. As we seek to please God, most human bosses will be pleased as well. But working for God means that we also address our need for rest, health and time invested in relationships.[ii]

The Scripture is insightful regarding this matter. Consider the words of the psalmist, “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” (Psalm 127:2, ESV) How many parents, in an attempt to do “good”, end up teaching their children what it looks like to live an anxious life. If we as parents display a life that over-emphasizes work and under-emphasizes rest, we do so at our own peril and at the expense of the young hearts that we seek to develop. As important as it is to work hard, develop strong work ethics, and teach our children the dangers of laziness, we must also strive to teach them the value of rest.

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Conclusion

So then, how do we go about the ever-important task of teaching our children a strong work ethic from a biblical perspective?

For starters, we need to set out on a rescue mission…a mission to rescue their viewpoint of work. Though it’s true that “work” is now marked by the Fall and is therefore marred, it is not intrinsically bad. Granted, at times it may feel as though it is and we would be foolish as parents to expect our kids to enjoy every aspect of work. Nevertheless, teaching them a biblical perspective of work and being an example of one who sees work as a gift of God and an opportunity to bring Him glory, can go a long way.

In addition to rescuing their viewpoint, we have to be mindful of our responsibility to encourage their desire to work through our daily example. What we say will actually be detrimental to our children if through our actions we communicate the fact that we do not believe our own message.

Furthermore, in order to teach a strong work ethic, we can’t ignore the obvious. Our children, like many of us, will have a reluctance in some cases to work hard and apply themselves. Consequently, we have to be ever diligent to champion principles, through word and deed, which will combat their own propensity toward laziness.

Lastly, we need to help our children see the beauty of keeping the main thing the main thing! Rather than instilling within them an imbalanced approach to work that will ultimately lead to frustration, neglect of family, and an anxious life, we need to be the constant watchman of our own priorities.

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DON'T FORGET THE GOSPEL

With all this being said, we would be remiss if we left the conversation here. One of the dangers in any discussion of this nature is that we create seemingly “good people” who are, unfortunately, inoculated from the Gospel. What I mean is that in our efforts to instill within them some good habits and healthy practices, they and we lose sight of the fact that what they need most is a transformed heart and mind.

It’s for this reason that our greatest task, responsibility, and privilege as parents, is to live, speak, and breathe the Gospel before our children on a daily basis. As is the case in most challenges in life, the heart of the problem is usually a problem of the heart…the arena of “work” is no exception. When our children understand the greatness of God, the grandeur of His glory, and the excellence of all His works, they will find more than enough reason to apply themselves and live their lives for His Glory.

As a matter of fact, the greatest work that has ever been wrought by God’s hands is the work of changing a heart of stone to a heart of flesh, of delivering those in darkness and death, to light and life! When we understand this, our child’s greatest need, we will never be satisfied with creating “good workers” but will earnestly pray for the blessing of seeing our children transformed into godly worshipers!

[i] Bob Schultz, Created For Work: Practical Insights for Young Men (Eugene, OR: Great Expectations Book Co, 2006), 11

[ii] https://bible.org/seriespage/8-honest-days-work