Shoes
31 August 2022
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3.23-24
How and why do you “labor”?
As Americans get ready to chew on hot dogs this Labor Day weekend, let me provide a “philosophy of labor” for you to chew on with some friends at your picnic. Consider this challenge often attributed to Martin Luther: “The maid who sweeps her kitchen is doing the will of God just as much as the monk who prays — not because she may sing a Christian hymn as she sweeps but because God loves clean floors. The Christian shoemaker does his Christian duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship.”
A friend points out while that quote above is inspiring, he prefers a different one from Luther, stressing that even more important than quality shoes are quality relationships with neighbors. Here it is: “When a prince sees his neighbor oppressed, he should think: That concerns me! I must protect and shield my neighbor. … The same is true for shoemaker, tailor, scribe, or reader. If he is a Christian tailor, he will say: I make these clothes because God has bidden me do so, so that I can earn a living, so that I can help and serve my neighbor. When a Christian does not serve the other, God is not present; that is not Christian living.”
Questions:
How do these two Luther quotes frame your motivation for starting every work day? Is each day of labor just a required way of making a buck? Or do you view your work hours as opportunities to love God by serving your neighbors’ needs?
“Chewing” on the purpose of labor with you,
Pastor Fritz
Let us pray.
Dear Lord, thanks for trusting me with talents and time to make a difference in life. If possible, lead me to work, labor, and efforts that simultaneously challenge me and help my neighbor. If I feel stuck in my job, send your Holy Spirit to help me see and approach it differently or steer me to a new opportunity where I can make more of an impact for you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
