The Christian Work Ethic
Posted: Wednesday, December 10, 2008
by John Waddey
firstcenturychristian
Those citizens with white in their hair can see a marked difference in the prevailing attitude of most contemporary workers and the work ethic we were taught in our homes, our churches and schools. It is now a major problem for employers to find reliable, dependable employees who are eager to earn their paychecks. Too many want the check, but don't care to work. Others take their paycheck, but they take other things belonging to their employer as well.
Back in1904-05, German Economic Sociologist, Max Webber published the results of his research in a book entitled, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. He noted the different work ethic that seemed to prevail between those nations or regions that were predominantly Protestant and those that were Catholic, etc. He concluded that there was a definite link between the religion a man held and the way he went about earning his living.
From the earliest days to the 1960s ,the typical American worker was influenced by the Christian work ethic. During that period the typical American believed in God and the Bible. He went to his church and tried to live in a way that he would spend his eternity with God. It is true there were those who did not live by this code, but they were a distinct minority.
In what does this Christian work ethic consist? It teaches:
* That God intends for every person to earn his living by his personal effort. This God decreed when Adam and Eve were cast out of Eden (Gen. 3:19). Christians are expected to abstain from stealing and to "labor, working with his hands the things that is good..." (Eph. 4:28). So to please our God we work to earn our living.
* That if a man provides not for his own, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel (I Tim. 5:8).
* That God rewards and provides for honest, diligent worker. "The soul of the diligent shall be made fat" (Prov. 13:4).
* That God condemns laziness and slothfulness as foolish, shameful and sinful (Prov. 6:6-11;Prov. 18:9).
* That we should "work heartily, as unto the Lord" (Col. 3:23). Thus even our work is a part of our religious practice.
* That we should be dependable and productive at our task even when no supervisor is watching us (Eph. 6:6).
* That to beg or to live parasitically off of others, when one is capable of earning his own way is shameful. "If any will not work, neither let him eat" (II Thess. 3:10).
* That those who steal from others, whether directly or indirectly are no better than fornicators, adulterers, idolaters, abusers of themselves with men, drunkards or extortioners (I Cor. 6:9-10).
* That a worker should be grateful to his employer for his job and thus do his best to be a good employee (Col. 3:15).
* It teaches the business man or his employees to show respect and appreciation to the customers who make it possible for them to earn their living.
* It promotes fairness in the way co-workers are treated and respect for them and their rights.
* It teaches compassion as well as compensation. The employee should show compassion when his worker is sick or injured. Workers should be concerned for each other and lend a helping hand when needed.
* It teaches employers to pay their employees a fair wage and never to hold back on their wages (James 4:1-5). That God will deal harshly with those who cheated their workers.
In the early years of our America society many people worked for themselves, or else they were paid only for the work they did. They learned that time is money. When the self-employed worker wasted time he had less money at the end of the day. They taught this value to their children. When the children took a job working for others, that ethic went with them.
Workers who lived by this ethic were taught the old axiom, "Waste no, want not." They were careful with their own equipment and stock. They learned to use rather than cast away the left overs of their trade. When employed by another they did the same.
They learned that money has a way of multiplying if use wisely. When wealth is wasted or lost, the cost goes far beyond the dollar amount. If you kill a breeding sow, you not only destroy the value of the pig, but of all her offspring forever. They taught that if you idle away your time or waste your money, you not only lose that hour's pay, but that which that money might have earned or purchased. So thrift was a trait of the Christian ethic.
The man who lived and worked by the Christian work ethic was noted for honesty, diligence and dependability. He honored his commitments. He would not lie, cheat or steal. The quality of his work was the very best he was capable of doing. He knew and believed that a diligent worker would be a happier and more successful person than the slacker or dishonest employee. He worked hard out of self-respect and the fact that the money he earned would allow him to have not only the necessities of life but the nicer things as well.
The Christian ethic taught the worker that money earned not only enabled him to provide adequately for his family, he was in a position to help the poor (Eph. 4:28) and support the kingdom of Christ (I Cor. 16:1-2) which would bring him further blessings from God (Luke 6:38).
This ethic is still valid even though it is not commonly honored. It is still what God expects of us, even in this Information Age. As Christians we should strive to live by this ancient, sacred ethic and to teach it to our children and grandchildren.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)John,As a Sociology major in college, I am aware of Max Webber. He came from a wealthy, liberal Calvinist family and his first work was initially disputed and has since been discredited as a theory on capitalistic concepts. The typical American family was influenced by a "Judeo-Christian" value system that embraces the notion of hard, ethical work. I think it is fair to say that whether Christian or not, many people share that work ethic.
There are many factors to what many call the decline of work ethic in American society. In fact statistics show quite the opposite although politicians and business justify their move offshore by berating American workers. In fact the demise of fair and just wages, elimination of overtime, benefits, incorporation of a right to work state and yes exploitation through cheap foreign workers has brought about in my opinion a malaise. Ladslow stated years ago Business 101 there were three things that motivated people, 1- good pay and benefits, 2- good work environment, 3- recognition. In all three area's we are sorely lacking not work ethic. Just opinion but I think if you look you will find Aemricans arfe not slackers. They put in more hours then most of the world.
A person's work ethic is within themselves. They can have good wages and benefits, a good work environment, etc. but if they do not have a personal commitment to be honest, hard-working employees who strive to be profession and do a first-rate job, they will be laggards whose only interest is in drawing a check, not in their job performance. This ethic must be taught, as few if any are born with it. Parents and teachers prepare their charges to be good workers or if they neglect to instill this ethic they allow them to enter adulthood unprepared for the job market. John
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