LABOR, ITS PURPOSE, AND ITS FRUITS.
By S. H. Carnahan
In the beginning of this world's history, when the creation of things therein had almost reached completion, it was found that there was no one to till the ground. Gen. 2:5. Then man was created and his work was to subdue the earth (Gen. 1:18), and bring it into a good state of cultivation even as was the Garden of Eden, which was given him as an object lesson of the perfection with which things would grow, and the wealth that the land would produce when properly tilled. Every man's work was to be light and pleasant, but because of the disobedience of him who was given dominion over the earth, he, with all under him, was cursed, and his labor was to be more difficult and severe. He must earn his bread by the sweat of his face; for the earth then brought forth thorns and thistles. In this sinful world it is a blessing to man to have to work hard, for it is not only the best means to give us good appetites and healthful bodies, but, as “an idle brain is the devil's workshop” to find mischief for idle hands, honest toil will furnish that which will do much to keep us from being gossippers, or busybodies in other men's matters. 1 Thess. 4:11; 2 Thess. 3:12. The apostle says further, “If any man will not work neither shall he eat;” and the wise man tells us, “He that gathereth by labor shall increase,” for “in all labor there is profit;” and “the labor of the righteous tendeth to life.” Thus we see that all should work with their own hands; and for these various reasons we may perceive that each of us should earn our necessary means by the sweat of our own face instead of by the sweat of other people's faces; that is, by piling up wealth at the expense of our neighbors, by keeping back by fraud the hire of their labors. James 5:4. We should procure our means in some honorable and legitimate way. The Holy Scriptures plainly teach that God is displeased with the procuring of means in dishonorable ways. Such means are not acceptable in His sight, but are “an abomination to the Lord.” Again, after we have earned our money we should not use it to foster and gratify the lusts of the eye and of the flesh, but in the honorable support of our families, maintenance of the poor, and the support of the work of God. Further, when our brother comes to us to borrow means to procure the necessaries of life, we are commanded thus: “Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.” Lev. 25:36. See also Deut. 23:19. Of the things that exist the Lord says “every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills;” also, “the silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine.” Ps. 40:10; Hag. 2:8. All that we have we receive at His hands. We ourselves are His. 1 Cor. 6:19, 20. Even the power to get wealth is given us by the Lord. So in reality we are only stewards of the Lord's goods, and, as Christians, will render a true stewardship. One tenth of our increase is His. It is not for us to use, except to render to God as a tithe (Lev. 27:30) for the advancement of His cause on the earth. And, too, only six days has the Lord set apart for us to labor and do our work, while the seventh is a memorial of the rest of Jehovah, and in it we are to worship Him by ceasing from our works and meditating upon Him and His works. Ex. 20:8, 10.