(8) Be More Than a Worker

For people who made in God's image and listening to God's voice the importance of work is a given. The Bible is a record of God's work of redeeming a people to work for him. Regardless of our particular callings we were made to work. And the Fourth Commandment presents a proper ratio for work: "Six days you shall labor and do all your work" (Ex. 20: 9). Over eighty-five percent of our week should be occupied by our ordinary labors. You were made to work.

But you weren't made to only work. And you won't work well if you are consumed by your work. "But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work." And we should do what we can to see that our closest neighbors also experience the gift of rest that God extends to us (Ex. 20:10).

It may be that you love work. And that's what God wants for us (Eccl. 5:19)! But that love needs to be properly stewarded. Especially successful people are tempted to believe that their work is ultimate, that the meaning of their lives consists of production. The Fourth Commandment, as a summary of God's will for the right ordering of our schedules, challenges that false assumption. To honor God's intention for balanced living we need a theology of rest which we implement on a daily and weekly basis.