trusted online casino malaysia
Realizing the presence, promise, and power of the Kingdom of God.
ReVision

Work for Every Person

In an economy of love, everyone can have a job.

An Economy of Love (3)

“‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field when you reap, nor shall you gather any gleaning from your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger: I am the LORD your God.’” Leviticus 23.22

Employment
We have said that the work we’ve been given to do is greater than the job at which we work. Our jobs matter, but all our work – all our exertions for Christ and His Kingdom in all our relationships, roles, and responsibilities – is important as a means for glorifying God and sowing good Kingdom seed throughout the field of the world.

But the divine economy does not overlook the importance of the work we do to sustain ourselves and to contribute good to others – our jobs. Our work matters to God, and our jobs, as part of that work, play and important role in our Kingdom-and-glory calling. Thus, on the macro scale, we who are pursuing God’s economy as we prepare, sow, and cultivate the Lord’s field, should be concerned about such matters as employment, as these are important to a stable and growing social order.

One of the most reliable measures of any economy is employment. When employment is high, the economy is healthy; when it is low, the economy struggles. This is because work is fundamental to a healthy economy. Indeed, without work it’s difficult to see how there could be any economy at all.

So it’s no wonder that, in our getting-and-spending economy, we have laws protecting people’s right to work, providing a fair wage, ensuring just and timely compensation, ordering the safety and security of the workplace, supporting standards of quality and workmanship, and so forth.

Over the past century, two major work-related issues have emerged in the American economy, and on each of these the Law of God can shed some light, if we will allow it.

Poverty and welfare
The first of these relates to poverty and welfare.

From the 1930s to the 1960s, a massive federal welfare program was set in place to address the needs of poor people in America. By the 70s and 80s, plenty of voices could be heard calling for reform of a system that was creating more poverty than it was solving by supporting an “underclass” of citizens dependent on the government for their wellbeing.

One solution that emerged from the welfare crisis is what has been called “workfare.” This is the idea that people should be encouraged to work as long as they can and should not be dependent on handouts, except as a final resort. We want to encourage and assist every able-bodied person in finding work, but we recognize the need for a “safety net” of social services to help those who need it.

Such a view has Biblical foundations in the idea that human beings, made in the image of God, are made for work (Gen. 1.26-28). Work is not a curse; rather, as we have seen, it is part of the image of God in people that allows them to take responsibility for their wellbeing at the same time they make a viable contribution to the economy.

In the gleaning laws of ancient Israel, we see the roots of this “workfare” idea. But we also see a statute designed to curb greediness, as each landowner was required by law to leave a portion of his unharvested crop for the poor to glean. This meant that a man, to show love for his needy neighbor, was required to forego a certain amount of income and profit so that those who, for whatever reason, had become poor could provide for themselves through dignified work. Workfare might be even more effective in our society if business owners could make it part of their business plans to use some of their profits and personal income to create more jobs or to supplement other local businesses needing to hire workers. Either of these principles would be consistent with the Old Testament laws about gleaning.

Immigration and illegal aliens
The other problem relates to immigration and the hiring of illegal aliens.

As the laws governing this aspect of the American economy come up for review, Biblical law could shed the light of love on this situation. God commanded His people to love the sojourner (Lev. 19.33, 34) and to make it possible for strangers from other lands to find work in Israel without having to become citizens. Yes, they had to abide by the laws God provided for His people, as long as they were in the land; but the people of Israel were expected to recognize the value and importance of making room in their economy for guest workers from other nations.

This is not a new idea in the American economy, but it is one that could be expanded and improved in our day by looking again at guidelines recommended in the Word of God.

God’s Law insists that every person should have meaningful work and be a contributing part of the local economy and society. The Apostle Paul showed his understanding of these principles when he exhorted the Ephesians to take up meaningful employment, so that they would have means to share with others, and the Thessalonians when he said that anyone who would not work should not eat (Eph. 4.28; 2 Thess. 3.10).

Thus the Law of God, the cornerstone of ethical living within the divine economy, points the way to an economics, not of greed and gain, but of love for neighbor.

For reflection
1.  Why should Christians have a high and holy view of their work? What does this mean? What is involved in pursuing such a view in our jobs?

2.  According to Scripture, local communities are responsible to care for the needs of their poor. What should the local church’s role be in caring for the poor in its community?

3.  American immigration law is in need of reform, as most Americans realize. How might Christians contribute to this discussion, to help ensure that the next round of reform in this area is infused with a greater sense of love and respect for immigrants?

Next steps – Conversation: See what you can find out about what churches in your community are doing to help the poor and immigrants. Share your findings with some Christian friends.

For a free overview of the teaching of God’s Law and how to apply it, write to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and request our Kingdom Catechism.

The Psalmist says the righteous person meditates on the Law of God day and night (Ps. 1). Do you? If you had a compendium of all the laws and statutes of God, would you be more likely to do so? Order your copy of The Law of God and begin taking up the discipline of daily meditation in God’s rules for love (click here). And if you need convincing that the Law of God still matters, order a copy of The Ground for Christian Ethics by clicking here.

We look to the Lord to provide for our needs, and He does so through those who are served by this ministry. Please prayerfully consider becoming a supporter of The Fellowship of Ailbe with your financial gifts. You can send your tax-free contribution to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452, or use the Contribute button at the website to give with a credit card or through PayPal.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

Subscribe to Ailbe Newsletters

Sign up to receive our email newsletters and read columns about revival, renewal, and awakening built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification.