Teaching the Value of Work

By Donna Shelton

While this quote is meant to be funny, unfortunately in many households it is all too true.

Shirley Anderson has been sharing her diary with some of us and a recurring theme is how hard the people in Tanzania have to work to put food on the table.

Her January 31st entry was written from the pastor’s house where they are staying in Arusha, Tanzania:

I dusted furniture, did the floors and our bathroom. I want to help out as much as possible while staying here at the Graboskis’. That’s just the way I was raised is to work and not be idle. I learned from talking to Patrick and Caroline in Kenya that a lot of younger women and even some Christian women are lazy, and want maids to do their work. This was unbelievable to me seeing that their parents and grandparents were workers. Far be it from me to slack off and let someone else do my job. What a shame it would be to my grandparents to be lazy now. My folks have always been workers. If I can’t do what I’m supposed to do, then I don’t need to be here. The integrity is lacking in the women whom need maids. You live longer and are healthy when you stay active. If you are physically incapable then it’s understandable.

Shirley put it very well indeed. It isn’t just Shirley’s grandparents’ “Protestant work ethic” that teaches us that being industrious is a good thing. Those ideas come straight out of the Bible.

Ephesians 4:28 says: “Let him that stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”

God’s plan for man even before the fall was for man to work (see Genesis 2:15).

Paul instructs Timothy that a man who doesn’t provide for his own has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel. That is a pretty strong statement.

Proverbs is full of admonitions to be diligent and work with your hands. If God tells us that working diligently with our hands pleases Him, then we need to train our children to be workers. It is often easier and quicker to do the job ourselves, but doing that robs our children of the preparation they need to succeed in life and also of self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment.

We have to be sure we show our kids exactly what we want them to do. Set the standard for them and make sure they understand it. Then explain the consequences if they fail to do as they are instructed. In II Thessalonians 3:10 Paul sets forth the standard: work; and the consequences if we refuse: “he shall not eat.”

Then check up on them to be sure they comply.

Even when we don’t do our job as supervisors perfectly, God’s grace will help them get it. Eric was such a lazy little boy and didn’t want to do what he was told. I never would have guessed he would turn out to be such a good worker. Katie is more organized, less of a pack rat and keeps her house cleaner than mine! Thank goodness for the grace of God. They both got it.

There should be a reward for obedience. I personally see nothing wrong with a monetary reward, like an allowance, as long as it is earned by work. When an adult works, they get a paycheck. Our approval and attention is what our children crave the most. Whatever you decide, there should be a reward for working with a good attitude.

Eventually work becomes its own reward. I was making my bed recently when I thought I’m so grateful that I can still do this by myself. My mother will be 90 soon and she hasn’t been able to change her sheets or make her bed herself for some time.

There is something comforting about the routine chores of life. So much changes throughout our lifetime, but the simple chores of life remain the same.

And remember: it is worth the effort.