Fraternity-Testvériség, 1994 (72. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1994-07-01 / 3. szám
Page 20 TESTVÉRISÉG REV. ALEXANDER JALSO MAY OUR WORK BECOME MORE SPIRITUAL, and OUR FAITH MUCH MORE PRODUCTIVE A lthough Labor Day is not a church holiday, we can celebrate it because the concept of labor and its related problems are dealt with in the Bible. For example, Ephesians 6:5-9, 1 Timothy 6:1-2 and James 5:4. Besides job description, contract negotiation, unemployment, decent wages, may we see also the spiritual side of productive work. “Six days you shall labor, and do all your work.” Exodus 20:9 Before Adam knew Eve, he had already received instruction to be industrious: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.” Genesis 2:15. Sin destroyed man’s original “labor relation” because this is what Adam had to hear after they had been expelled from the garden of Eden: “Cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life ... In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread.” Genesis 3:17, 19. Soon the smarter and stronger secured for himself the leadership and used others as “helpers.” Noah did not have any outside help besides his family members to build the ark. Genesis 6:14-18, however, Abraham and Lot already had several hired farmhands: “and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abraham’s cattle and the herdsmen of Lot’s cattle.” Genesis 13:7. In the New Testament’s original language we find various expressions for those who labored and are not relevant today, but we know these words: Slave - “Perhaps this is why (Onesimus) was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back for ever, no longer as a slave.” Philemon 15-16. Laborer - “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Matthew 9:37. Also: “Come unto me, all who labor and are heavy laden...” Matthew 11:28. Worker: “Paul ... To Philemon our beloved fellow worker...” Philemon 1. Also: “Greet those workers in the Lord...” Romans 16:12. Servant: “He who is greatest among you shall be your servant...” Matthew 25:21. Minister: “As you learned it from Epaphras ... He is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf ...” Colossians 1:7. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” Corinthians 15:58. What do you think which one should influence us more: Christ-like compassion or profit-hungry business? Money is not only legal tender but also a lethal weapon. What it means to lose the paycheck, please ask those who were laid off. How wonderful would it be if the teaching of the Bible would improve our present economic, social, and moral conditions. Even if changing the social and economic structure is not within our power yet we can do what apostle Paul did when he had pleaded on behalf of the fugitive slave Onesimus: “Perhaps this is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back for ever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother.” Philemon 15-16. Apostle Paul promoted this slave to a brother. Can this world benefit from our ministry? Namely preaching the gospel, practicing charity, striving for equality, working for reconciliation, helping the destitute, and finding jobs for the unemployed? If every employer and employee, professional and businessman, elected leader and volunteer would consider his/her job and duty a service and ministry, individuals, companies, and our whole nation would gain by it. Apostle Paul’s admonition will help to make our work become more spiritual and our faith more productive: “.... for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the spirit will from the spirit reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:7-8. (Rev. Alexander Jalso is pastor of Calvin United Presbyterian Church in Brownsville, Pa., and Member of the Board of Directors of the HRFA.) T herefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. Corinthians 15:58.
