How
A Man Functions
Work is
Hard, Yes, but It Is Still a Man’s Joy
Work is toilsome, yea sweaty, because it
was cursed when man fell. However, work is still a primary source of a man’s
fulfilment. When a man has not worked for a long time, due to lay off or
termination of employment, he craves work—to do anything productive with his
hands. On the other extreme, men can become so wrapped up in their work that
they are workaholics and have no joy in it. But God has created a man to work.
Yea, God has ordained that a man work hard and find satisfaction from his
labors: a field plowed well, a family clothed, a warm home to sleep in, a car
that’s running well, or a business that is honoring Christ.
I enjoy writing, teaching, preaching,
studying, organizing, and web designing—that’s largely my work, but it is not
always easy. Although I enjoy it and am fulfilled when I have written a book,
taught a class, organized a room, designed a website or preached a sermon for
my Lord, the process takes work. I sweat, I stink, my head hurts, at times my
body aches, and, some days, by body just doesn’t want to sit. But through it
all, I know that work is what I am created for. God has created me, a man, and
all other men to have a deep desire inside to work. It is a God-given desire. Work is not a
curse, but a blessing! Yes, it is difficult at times, that is part of the
sinful world we live in, but many of the greatest blessings of life take place
through work: witnessing opportunities abound, character is molded and tested
by the quality of work a man does, and dominion of the earth is exercised.
Many women, do not seem to understand a
man’s intense desire to work. Yet it is clearly evidenced by the fact that men
bond over work. I recall a couple of mentorships that I have been on and
several campouts and hikes with my Commander Bob as well as two missions trips
to Matamoras, Mexico—those where bonding times with other men. Work literally is one of a man’s needs.
That is why welfare and unemployment are destroying the motivation to work in
this country. In my Social Justice course with CollegePlus, I learned that
handouts diminish productivity, and rarely ever help a person actually get
through what they are going through and support themselves. Because of this,
our Founders would often not feed a man unless he proved that he was willing to
work. So they tested him by having him chop firewood. The same principle was
carried out over time: they would help a man and give him food and lodging in
exchange for odd jobs that they needed done and through the whole time, help
the man search for and secure employment to provide for himself.
And unto Adam he said, Because thou
hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which
I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow
shalt thou eat of it all the
days of thy life; 18 Thorns
also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of
the field; 19 In
the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground;
for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. Genesis 3:17-19 (KJV)
There
is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also
I saw, that it was from the
hand of God.
Ecclesiastes 2:24 (KJV)
Now we command you, brethren, in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother
that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7 For yourselves know how ye
ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8 Neither did we eat any man's
bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we
might not be chargeable to any of you: 9 Not
because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow
us. 10 For even when we were with
you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are
some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we
command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and
eat their own bread. 13 But
ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 (KJV)
