The Law of Work stretches back to Eternity in the Lord God Almighty Himself and He introduced Mankind to the Law of Work at Creation (Gen. 2:15). God demonstrated the Law of Work when He created the Earth and passed down the Responsibility of tending the Earth to Man. The Purpose of Work as ordained by God is to partner with Him in tending the Earth He created. God is a Hard Worker Who made Man in His Image and Likeness to become a hard worker like Himself. There is absolutely nothing evil or wrong about work. It was Adam's rebellion that introduced toil and hardship to work (Gen. 3:19). God did not just give the Law of Work to man. We witness on a daily basis the Law of Work in motion among the animals: The ants, the bees, the beavers to mention but a few, and these animals have been commissioned by God for very important roles that are beneficial to man, animals, plants and the entire Ecosystem. We also observe the plants, the Heavenly Bodies, the water bodies and their inhabitants and every other Creation of God at work day and night.
There are diverse aspects of Work that God assigned for Mankind and for every aspect of Work. He has deposited within every single person on Earth different special and unique abilities to aid their effectiveness in their chosen work. Work could be classified into Spiritual, Mental and Physical Categories. You will find yourself doing any one of these at one time or another. There are numerous benefits for which God gave us work: 1. WORK PUTS FOOD ON OUR TABLES: (Gen. 2:14-15; Prov. 14:23) 2. IT WILL TAKE WORK TO FULFIL GOD'S PURPOSE FOR OUR LIVES ON EARTH: (Ps. 90:13-17) 3. IT WILL TAKE WORK TO EXERCISE DOMINION ON EARTH:
Let us examine some of the Laws of Work according to the Holy Scriptures:
1. THE LAW OF ETHICS: (Phil. 4:8-9) The Holy Bible has plenty to say about the Code of Ethics including Integrity, Faithfulness, Service, Accountability in our work whether to man or God.
2. THE LAW OF HARD WORK AND DILIGENCE: (Ecc. 9:10; Col. 3:23) This needs to define our Work whether to God or man.
3. THE LAW OF EXCELLENCE: (Gen. 1:31; Mk. 7:37) As Genuine Christian believers, our Work must be marked by Excellence.
4. THE LAW OF THE SABBATH: (Gen. 2:2; Ex 20:9-10) The Almighty God Himself rested on the Seventh Day not because He was tired but because He wanted to set an Example for us to follow. Rest is essential for rejuvenation and refueling for more Work. Under the New Covenant, the Sabbath is not a day but rather it is a System. Every True Christian believer must devise a System of rest that suits them and then abide by it.
Christ Jesus, our Saviour set forth a Perfect Work Ethic Example for us while on Earth (Jn. 9:4). His Work was in constant Partnership with the Father Himself (Jn. 5:17). We must always be mindful of the fact that it is God Who empowers us to do meaningful work (Phil. 2:13) and just like Christ, our work, no matter how big or small has to be Subject to and in Partnership with our Heavenly Father.