Have a Blessed Labor Day!

Written by Pamela K. Orgeron, M.A., Ed.S., BCCC, ACLC, Author

What is Labor Day?

In America, according to information at the United States Department of Labor,

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. (History of Labor . . . , n.d., Labor Day, What it Means section, ¶ 1)

On a larger span, according to Lawrenz (2014), “More than 80 countries in the world have a day which commemorates the value of work, and the contributions of workers to the well-being of society.” (¶ 1) By the way, Canadian workers, in addition to American citizens, I want to wish you a happy Labor Day too, as I understand from Lawrenz that you also are celebrating your nation’s official Labor Day holiday today too.

In addition to honoring laborers, in many lives Labor Day also symbolizes the end of the summer and back to school season. It is celebrated with cookouts, parades, fireworks, and sporting events.

The Roots to Labor Day:
A Christian Perspective

“The Bible teaches Jesus honored labor and the rights of the worker. In Luke 10:7, he said, ‘The laborer is worthy of his hire.’” (Creech, 2014, ¶ 2) Furthermore, labor is honored by God with the implementation of The Sabbath: 

Exodus 20:10 (NKJV)—but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.

Not only does God honor the laborer, but He offers caution to able-bodied persons who refuse to work (2 Thessalonians 3:10), and to those employers who mistreat employees (James 5:1-6).

Again, Milton and I would like to wish every laborer in America and elsewhere around the world a wonderful day with your families and other loved ones. To the unemployed who want to work and who are looking for work, our prayers are with you. May God bless all Americans and Canadians with a wonderful Labor Day. Now you can go fire up your grill!

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References

Creech, M. H. (2014). Labor Day: The Bible and honor in work. The Christian Post. Retrieved July 25, 2018 from https://www.christianpost.com/news/labor-day-the-bible-and-honor-in-work-125645/

History of Labor Day (n.d.). United States Department of Labor. Retrieved July 25, 2018 from https://www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history

Lawrenz, M. (2014). Work in the Bible—Thoughts for Labor Day weekend. Retrieved July 25, 2018 from https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2014/08/work-in-the-biblethoughts-for-labor-day-weekend/