Labor Day

In the United States, since the 1880s, we have set aside the first Monday of each September as a “tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country” (USDOL website).

As the church, we have no mandate to celebrate secular observances, but we certainly have to obligation to give tribute and honor to those who work for the Lord in His kingdom. 

1 Thess. 5:11-13“Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing. But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.”

Just as this country, its infrastructure, and its prosperity were built by those who have gone before, and it maintained and added to be the divergent efforts and great labor of those of the present day, so it is with the church as well. In the church, we stand on the foundation that was laid in Christ and the apostles, and worked diligently by those of generations past, and that work continues today in every functioning congregation. 

As Paul reminded the Corinthians that the body was made of many parts (1 Cor. 12:.12-16), so the laborers in the kingdom as a varied as the labors. Some teach, some organize count and prepare, some sing, some encourage, some give, some do many things, some do a few. But it they work and help, esteem them for that labor.