Work & Wages

I remember as a kid working on the farm doing various jobs. My Dad had a small farm, as did my Grandpa (aka Pappy). I learned to work in the tobacco fields, the garden and the hay field. I remember at one point my Pappy raised a few acres of bell peppers as a cash crop. There seemed to always be work to do on the farm. I was also hired by other local farmers to work the hayfields or tobacco fields. I remember getting paid for my labor and feeling good about what I had done. I also remember the fact that I was a teenager working as a laborer to earn extra money and there were others who were working for their livelihood. Work is how I earn wages to provide for my family and myself.

In the long litany of miscellaneous laws that Moses was sharing with the people of Israel, he addressed daily workers too. Check this out…

14 Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. 15 Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they may cry to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty of sin. (Deuteronomy 24:14-15 NIV)

“He who loves his work never labors”

I’ve hired day laborers to work before and it’s a blessing to provide work for them. It’s also a blessing to find someone skilled and strong to provide extra help when and where it’s needed. Hiring others to help can provide a service to me and can be a blessing to them.

I was on the phone while riding home with one of my sons the other day. After I got off the phone, I realized that a lot of my work is mentally straining. I don’t dig ditches or haul hay as my labor, but I market property on behalf of sellers. I also help buyers through the process of purchasing a home or leasing a property where they will live or work. There are many days that I’m mentally exhausted and tired, but there are other days where it’s very fulfilling to serve and help others achieve their goals and dreams. In the process of helping and serving others my goals and dreams come true too.

I believe that the Lord has never been a fan of lazy people. I believe that God wired us to live and prosper in this life by the work of our hands and the sweat of our brows. I believe that a person’s work ethic tells volumes about that person’s life. I also think it’s wise to learn to work smarter instead of harder.

It’s about time for me to get to work, so I need to wrap this note up and get to it!

Pressing On!

Dwayne