Shocker: It’s a Sin to Help Those Who Won’t Work
By Dr. Mark H. Creech
Christian Action League
Labor Day? What does it mean for most Americans? Unfortunately, it means little more than a day off of work – what we call the daily grind – what so many believe is a necessary evil – something we do until we can retire.
But that’s not how the Bible sees work. Interestingly, the Bible sees labor as something to celebrate. God worked to make the world in six days. Then God made man to be his Vice-Regent, His Co-Ruler, who would cultivate and care for His creation.
John H. Redekop has rightly argued that the Bible teaches, “not only that there is dignity in all honest work,” but “that work is part of the order of creation, and that for Christians work ought to be particularly meaningful and creative.” [1]
The Scriptures admonish, “Whatever your task, work heartily as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians. 3:23 RSV).
Contrary to the thinking of some, work isn’t something that was a result of the sin of Adam and Eve. That’s a common misunderstanding. Work was a part of the creation from the start. It was a gift of God to mankind.
Work is the way God devised for man to uncover all the marvelous treasures he has provided. Being made in God’s image, through work man too can be a creator. It was the “sweat-of-your-brow” kind of work described in Genesis chapter 3 that occurred after man’s rebellion against God. In other words, God said as a result of man’s sin work would become hard and wearisome. Still, there’s nothing wrong with work. Labor is good.
Did you realize God commands that we should work? Certainly, we ought to help those unable to help themselves. The Scriptures teach we should care for the poor, the lame, the, the blind, the sick, the infirmed, the aged, and the orphan. But I’m going to say something that may sound shocking. It’s a sin to help people who won’t work when they are able.
That’s right! It’s a sin to help them! In 2 Thessalonians 3:10, we read, “If any would not work, neither should he eat.” Sadly, because of the “politics of guilt” today most people would consider these words by the apostle Paul as insensitive, judgmental, and without compassion. Nevertheless, this is one of the most caring, loving and sympathetic statements in the entire Bible for people who are inclined to laziness and idleness. Of course, it might sting, but like salt in a wound it also heals. Sometimes God needs to shake us when we’re on the wrong path. It’s not in our best interest to be slothful when he designed us to work. Furthermore, to aid and abet someone in doing something God says is wrong is to sin ourselves.
The great Baptist preacher Jerry Vines once explained it this way, “You let some of the loafers who aren’t willing to work get hungry enough and they will work. In America, when half of the population gets the idea that though they work they don’t get to enjoy the fruits of their labors, you are in trouble in this country.” [2]
Vines is exactly right. This is what’s dividing much of America. We’ve tried to help the poor through the socialistic method of government intervention. But it’s proven only to be outrageously too expensive, suppressing the just rewards of those who work and rewarding those who are unwilling to work.
In National Review Online, Robert Rector explained that it’s been President Obama’s goal to “spread the wealth” by massively increasing the welfare state. He notes the federal government currently runs more than 80-means-tested welfare programs. Approximately one third of the country is receiving benefits from one or more of these programs. (These figures don’t include Social Security or Medicare.) Rector says welfare spending in 2011 totaled $927 billion. And out of the 80 welfare programs only two have some type of work requirement. [3]
Although the concept behind welfare, which was meant to help people in need, is an admirable one, unfortunately, it’s proven to be misguided. It’s only weakened the nation’s economy, even exacerbating the problems of poverty, because it hasn’t taken into account God’s requirements for work.
Work is not a curse. Work is one of the greatest gifts of life – providing dignity and purpose to life.
So this Labor Day, let us thank God for our work. Let us ask him to bless the labor of our hands. Moreover, let us pray for our country to take righteous steps to rebound from a bad economy. Let us pray that all men everywhere will have employment – some reason to toil gladly – some labor to celebrate.
Happy Labor Day!!!
Resources
[1] John H. Redekop, Labor Relations, as taken from Bakers Dictionary of Christian Ethics, edited by Carl F. H. Henry, Baker Book House Company, 1973, pg. 374
[2] Jerry Vines, God’s Day Blessing or Burden, as taken from Basic Bible Sermons on The Ten Commandments, Broadman Press, 1992, pg. 52
[3] Robert Rector, Obama’s Attack on Workfare, National Review Online, http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/313350/obama-s-attack-workfare-robert-rector