In America there’s no better time than to talk about work than around Labor Day.

A word of caution—as with all aspects of God’s creation we now experience work as flawed: “Because you ate from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from, you’ll be working in pain all your life long” (Genesis 3:17). Consequently, it’s imperative that we anchor our perspective upon the solid ground of Father’s original intention. So, here are the Basics about work located on the first pages of the Manual!

First, God is a worker: “God finished the work He was doing, so on the seventh day He rested from His work.” With the exception of one day off per week God has never stopped working His original plan. Jesus said, “My Father has never stopped working, and that is why I keep on working.” Furthermore, God’s not afraid to work with His hands: “One day God scooped dirt out of the ground, sculpted it into the shape we call human, breathed the breath that gives life into the nostrils of the human, and the human became a living soul.”

Second, “reflecting God’s nature,” man was designed—physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually—to be a worker. “I have filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God—I have given him the skill and knowledge to do all kinds of things.  He is a very good designer. And he can make things from gold, silver, and bronze. He can cut and set beautiful jewels. And he can work with wood. He can do all kinds of work” (Exodus 31:3-5). “Man, made in God’s image, should make things as God makes them, for the sake of doing well a thing that is well worth doing” (Dorothy Sayers). “God calls upon man to collaborate with Him in the great adventure of work” (Paul Tournier).

Third, work produces a fulfilled spirit: “God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good!” Work brought satisfaction, pleasure and joy to the Maker’s heart! So it is to be for us. “So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are gifts from God” (Solomon). “Work is a way of life in which the nature of man should find its proper delight and so fulfill itself to the glory of God” (Dorothy Sayers). “Being productive gives people a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that loafing never can” (Zig Ziglar).