On the heels of Labor Day, let’s continue our reflection on God’s good gift of work (see previous article here). Secular historians don’t tend to be concerned with the salvation of souls or with faithfulness to God’s Word in His people’s worship of Him. As such, when historians analyze the effects of the 16^th century Reformation upon the societies of the world, what they often point to as the most significant contribution might surprise you: it’s the Protestant work ethic and commitment to literacy.

While non-Protestants take offense at that assertion, the data doesn’t lie. In analyzing what leads some nations to prosperity and other nations to poverty, world-renown economist Barry Asmus and theologian Wayne Grudem, in their book The Poverty of Nations, note that “countries with primarily Protestant backgrounds influencing their cultural values score the highest in terms of per capita gross domestic product” (320). Why does the wealth of nations with a primarily Protestant influence far exceed that of all other nations, and why is it more than three times that of nations with a primarily Catholic influence?

One major reason is the early Protestants’ determination to learn the languages of the world, to translate the Bible in to those languages, and to then teach people to read those Bibles, all during a time when the Roman Catholic Church was seeking to burn alive anyone who dared to help people read the Bible on their own.

Equally important is the peace with God that comes from the assurance that you are truly saved. When life is no longer viewed as penitential preparation for heaven, never knowing how far short you’re falling, you are then freed to lift your eyes off of yourself and on to God’s others-oriented mission for humanity. As Tim Keller writes in Every Good Endeavor: “Since we already have in Christ the things other people work for – salvation, self-worth, a good conscience, and peace – now we may work simply to love God and our neighbors” (63-64).

Related is the rejection of the notion that “church work” is more pleasing to God than “secular work”, as “all work now becomes a way to love the God who saved us freely; and by extension, a way to love our neighbor” (63).

Praise God for the recovery of this Biblical understanding of the gift of labor.

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Evan

Related prior article: "The Gift of Work"