In fact you are doing this toward all the brothers in the entire region of Macedonia.  But we encourage you, brothers, to do so even more, to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, so that you may walk properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.  1 Thessalonians 4:10-12 HCSB

I hope that you have a great Labor Day.  Labor Day was first celebrated in New York in September of 1882.  It was to honor and celebrate the American worker.  Our country was founded on biblical principles and hard work.  Labor Day caught on and by the late 1800’s it was signed into Congress that the first Monday in September would be deemed as Labor Day to celebrate the American workforce. The Bible has a lot to say about working and laziness.  In 2 Thessalonians 3:10 we are told that if anyone is unwilling to work, not to let them eat.  Proverbs 14:23 says that in all toil or work there is profit, but mere talk tends to lead to poverty. 

We are also told in several scripture passages to give it our all when we are performing our jobs (Colossians 3:23) remembering that we are working for God and not for man. We are told in Proverbs 12:11 that Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.  

In 2 Thessalonians Paul warns against those that walk among them irresponsibly, not working, but interfering in the work of others.  Some versions refer to these people as disorderly and busybodies.

God didn’t put us on this planet to mind the business of other people.  He put us on this planet to focus on His business.  Several weeks ago, I shared a quote with you from Priscilla Shirer’s book.  This quote was from Anne Graham Lotz, which said that she had learned a long time ago that God would take care of her business if she would take care of His business

So whatever job God has assigned you to labor at, know that He has put you there for a reason.  Know that He expects you to give it your all.  If he has called you to do work in church or a Christian organization, know that this needs to be your priority.

With the social media being what it is today, it is so easy to get wrapped up in what everybody else is doing.  The Bible tells us that this is not what we are supposed to do.  We are supposed to be doing God’s work.  We are supposed to be focusing on Him.  It’s so easy to become distracted by the newsfeeds that constantly change and the wonderful life that people claim they are living.  It’s easy to turn on the news or look in the newspaper and see the tragedy all around us and get distracted by that. But our priority should be God’s work.  Our priority should be God first and all this other “stuff” when we have some downtime.  We shouldn’t create downtime just to catch up on what everyone else is doing.

We are to put God first.  1 Thessalonians 1:3 says remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 

God put us on this planet to do a job.  He put us here to love Him and work for Him.  When we are in close relationship with God, it becomes clear to us what He wants us to do.  My prayer for you today is that you are close to God and that you have discovered His purpose and plan for you.  I also pray that you are working diligently for the Lord.  But most importantly, I hope that you are observing the sabbath as a day of rest.  I also hope that you are busy and not being a busy body.  I hope that you are minding God’s business and not the business of others.

So today as we take time to honor the American workforce, take time to thank the God that put you here.  Thank the God that has provided you with a job and an income.  Honor Him by doing the best you can do for His glory.  And as you work always stay focused on the end prize.

Fight against the distractions that cause us to stick our nose in other people’s business and focus on God’s business.  Now we know that sometimes God leads us to try to help others or to try to lead others to salvation.  God does not lead us to gossip about what’s going on with everyone we know.  So be careful to keep your mind set on God’s business and avoid the distraction of every one else’s affairs.

Have a great Labor Day!