An Honest Day’s Pay for an Honest Day’s Work

Yesterday I remembered this quote after I saw two men that my son hired to help us. They moved heavy furniture from one room to another; they tore down boxes; they carried heavy boxes up to the attic; and they repositioned heavy rocks that had fallen. My son hired them at a “standard” spot, Home Depot parking lot in East Austin. It’s known as “the spot” to find men who desire an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work. And, work these two men did. We accomplished so much with their help. They desperately wanted and needed to work and it felt so good to know we were able to be a blessing to him, while he was being a blessing to us.

I picked up my 11-year old grandson from school and he asked about our day and I told him about the men. We talked about how some folks stand on a street corner and they hold up a sign that says “Please help me” or “Please give me anything”, but not too often do we see them saying “Please let me help you" or "Please give me work.” I'm not judging them because I know every person has their own set of circumstances, but isn’t it encouraging to see someone who is willing to work and do whatever it takes to make a living?

God was the first worker and He sure did a good job in showing us what a meaningful day of work was all about. He “worked” for six days creating the world until He chose to rest and appreciate what He had accomplished. God’s example is “an honest day’s work”.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 says "If anyone doesn't want to work, he shouldn't eat." The Proverbs are filled with warnings to the lazy. Laziness is a major headache to employers, and more importantly, it must displease God. For example, Proverbs 6:10-11 “"A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man."

When my husband and I first married (at ages 17 & 18), I worked as a file clerk making $1.25 an hour. I was so happy at the end of the week when I was able to contribute to our budget. And my sweetheart was not only attending college, but he had a full time job, and on top of it, we were able to bring in a little more income by cleaning the church his dad pastored. Not a showy job to brag about except we did say “We’re getting to clean the porcelain thrones (the toilets)!” We would remember the scripture that said in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

I want to be on the side of pleasing God in everything I do – especially when I have the opportunity to be a “chip off God's block” -- work hard, and then sit back and be appreciative for the ability He gave me, as well as what that work produced.