May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.

Psalm 90:17

There is a story of a man who came up to Martin Luther asking how he could serve the Lord. Luther asked the man, “What is your work now?” The man replied, “I’m a shoemaker.”

Luther told the man, “Then make a good shoe and sell it at a fair price.

On this Labor Day—a day off from work—we celebrate the gift of God given as we make, create, serve, deliver, pack, drive, and provide. 

Established as a federal holiday in 1894, Labor Day is set aside to celebrate the achievements of the American work force and its contribution to social and economic fabric of our country. 

The gift, dignity, and partnership of working with God in the “tending and keeping” of creation was established far before this holiday. Yes, work can be a four letter word. A job and a career provides numerous headaches and challenges. And yet, as Luther notes above, our work and endeavors can also be a source of purpose, dignity, and faithfulness. The shoemaker isn’t more faithful by attaching little crosses to the shoes he makes. Faithfulness is putting yourself into your work and doing the very best you can.

Take what you do seriously. But don’t take yourself too seriously. Tending and Keeping—as the Lord gives the task to Adam when he is placed in the garden—is serious work. But, at best, you and I are subcontractors. You have a role to play in the ongoing work of our Father—but God’s work isn’t dependent upon you. He wants you to partner with Him, but its really more for your sake than for His. Work—honest to goodness hard work that makes “a good shoe and sell’s it at a fair price” honors God. And it fulfills you.

That said, humanity is really good at messing God’s good things up, aren’t we? Truth be told, work holds too much weight when it becomes your identity. When you are what you do—your unbalanced. Identity isn’t what you do. Your worth is not tied to your occupation, your salary, or your position on the org chart. Your identity is rooted in the waters of baptism where you are named and claimed by Jesus. Who you are is not what you do—not in God’s economy. 

In the org chart of the Kingdom of God, you hold infinite worth and value. Why? It cost the Son of God his own blood to redeem you and claim you. That which costs so much is worth a great deal. Like a priceless work of art—they are worth what people pay for them. You are a priceless work of art, bought with the precious blood of the Lamb. Your value is not tied to your work. But, work sure does help you live out your value. It gives you purpose, a mission, and a way to make an impact beyond yourself. How? Working for your own kingdom is far too small a goal. Work for the Lord’s—this is where the real meaning lies anyway.

So, happy Labor Day. Celebrate by taking it easy. And by giving thanks for the work that God has called you to do—for Him and for your neighbor. And make it good and sell it at a fair price.