There is a lot about today that is oxymoronic. It’s Labor Day, a day to celebrate the American worker and their achievements. In so doing, we are celebrating the job that the worker gets to do. However…
- Most employees would rather not be working today.
- If they must work, they want to get paid at least time and a half.
- Most of those in the work force would much rather be numbered among the retirees.
- And, according to a Gallup poll released January 25, 2023, “most workers just aren’t into their jobs, with nearly three-fourths saying they’re either not engaged or are actively disengaged at work…Workers who are actively disengaged “are disgruntled and disloyal because most of their workplace needs are unmet.””1
Labor Day is officially 130 years old this year even though Labor Day celebrations began as early as 1882. The credit for the beginnings of this day have been attributed to “Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, suggested setting aside a day for a “general holiday for the laboring classes” to honor those “who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold.”2
The day has also been attributed to “Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, New Jersey, [who] proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York.”3
Since it cannot be ascertained who should get the credit and arguments can be made
in favor of both men, we will instead give the credit to President Grover Cleveland who, on June 28, 1884, signed into law the first Monday of September as Labor Day.
Labor Day used to receive more significant celebrations with parades, speeches, and festivities. Today, we just enjoy the federal holiday and treat it as the conclusion to summer, even though the conclusion of summer doesn’t come until September 22nd.
Labor is something that is worthy of celebration. It’s not a part of the Edenic curse, as some might imagine. It is a characteristic of God. We serve a God who works! Working is in His nature
Genesis 2:1-3 says, “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. (2) And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. (3) And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”
Since we have been made in the image of this God (Genesis 1:27), it would seem that we have been made to work as well. Genesis 2:15, 19-20 tells us, “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it… And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. (20) And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.” God MADE Adam and immediately put him to work!
Even though the fall of man in the Garden brought down the curse of sin, man is still made to work. The work we do should be in accordance with Colossians 3:23-24, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; (24) Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve 
the Lord Christ.” These verses show us who we are ultimately working for and what our work ethic should be.
Today, take a moment and think about the work God has given you to do and thank Him for it. Ask Him what else you might do for Him. As you do it, remember to “not [be] slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.” (Romans 12:11)
1https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/americans-just-arent-jobs-new-gallup-data-shows-rcna67653
2https://www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history
3Ibid.
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