Is Work Part of Adam's Curse?

Summary

Summary prepared by Acts 2:38 Life from the transcript below — the preacher’s words follow in full.

Work is God's plan — the curse added toil, not work

• The question posed (in the host's frame): today we want to ask you about a biblical theology of work. And I'd like to start by just sharing something that probably a lot of kids had happen to them, when they were younger. My parents attempted to instill, in my brother and I, some sort of work ethic. And so they would assign us chores, like many parents do. And I specifically remember: my dad is a pastor, so we were familiar with Genesis 3. And we would always complain to my parents that: you know, when we get to heaven, we've got a few things we're going to tell Adam about. You know, because it's his fault we have to clean our room, and mow the lawn. Now that I've gotten a little bit older, I think maybe my theology of work was a little off. Is work a curse? Is that what God was saying, in Genesis 3? Or is something else going on, in Genesis 3? Can you explain, to us, what the teaching is, about work? The answer: let me say: we need a good theology of work. So work is God's plan, for humans. It's not part of the curse of sin. Now: toil, agony, you know, suffering — I'm not sure I could say how it's suffering. But we can say, to a great extent, that is the result of sin. So: Genesis 3 talks about: you'll contend with thorns and thistles. And in the sweat of your brow, you'll have to work hard. And women will have pain, in childbirth. So part of the agony, or the suffering, or struggle, may be — you know — we would say, is a curse, or sin. But before there ever was sin — if you go back and read, in Genesis — and I have Genesis 2:15. I'm reading from the New King James: 'then the Lord God took the man, and put him in the Garden of Eden, to tend and keep it.' So, apparently, God had a plan for Adam — and then Eve — to be busy: tending, keeping, protecting, managing. And God did say: be fruitful, and multiply; take dominion over the Earth, and subdue it (the wording delivered without a designation). This doesn't mean to exploit the Earth, in a negative way. Christians should be good environmentalists, in a proper way. Because our job is to manage, and steward. So, as stewards, we are not the owners. But we're to take care of it, for the owner, who is God. So there is a very robust teaching of work — even hard work, management, stewardship.

Scriptures: Genesis 3:19; Genesis 3; Genesis 2:15

Struggle can be good — and eternity will not be idle

• And, you know, when we talk about suffering — why does God allow suffering, which is a big topic, and we've talked about that before — but one of the things is: there are benefits, from suffering. So I don't think that we had to have sin enter the world ('ENT the world', as the letters stand). But I do believe there's a concept of achievement, and maybe struggle, in a positive sense — overcoming adversity. So, when you hike up a steep mountain: that's not something you penalize yourself with. But it's something you want to achieve. But it does require struggle, and exertion, and effort. But we see that as positive — even exhilarating; the adrenaline, and all that. Even though there may be sweat, and agony, it's almost a good thing. Or when we work out, or we exercise. Or when we get involved in sports. Or even in business, we plan strategies. Or a craftsman, building furniture. Or a baker, you know, making food. So all these various endeavors, of humans, may require a lot of effort, physical labor, even temporary, you know, struggle, or exertion, or strain, or pain. But all these things we perceive as good, healthy, normal. And in fact, they help you become physically, mentally, emotionally strong. And without those achievements, and exertions, we would be lazy slobs, physically and mentally. It would be bad for us. If we just had a life of luxury, where we didn't do anything but eat, and sleep, and play games ('play gains', as heard): we would be emotionally unhealthy, as well as physically unhealthy. So my point is: work, and achievement, and even, to some degree, struggle — overcoming adversity, or obstacles — is not necessarily the result of sin. But it was planned, before. And so that also has implications, for eternity. So, sometimes, you talk about eternal life with God. That's wonderful. But, you know: are we going to be floating in clouds ('in C clouds', as the letters stand)? You know, we're going to be angels, playing harps, all the time? That doesn't sound very exciting. So I don't know what eternity is going to be like. But, to me — I like to use, and I've stated this also in a past episode — but, you know: when we look at our physical universe, they say: one septillion stars ('one septian Stars', as heard) — one, followed by 24 zeros. We can't even comprehend that number. And then how many planets. And so even our physical universe, we could spend eons exploring, creating, managing. You know, and then: who knows what else God has, that goes beyond our physical universe — or, in the realm of the spirit, the angelic realm.
• So I do believe: what's the most meaningful things, in our lives, right now — we would have to say, our relationships, and our accomplishments. So what makes it worthwhile, to get up in the morning? Not just a paycheck. But your family, your friends, even co-workers and colleagues — people that you respect, that respect you; fellow ministers; fellow saints; church people. And our relation with God, of course. But it's our relationships, that give meaning to our life. And so, even when other things are not working out well: if we've got good, healthy relationships — family, and friends, church people — then we can feel satisfied, and joyful, even when all kinds of things are going wrong. And then, also, work. I mean: yes, we have to work, to live. And sometimes we do things we don't like to do, because we need the money. We have to eat, and survive. But really, we want the kind of job where we're thinking, we're creating, we're achieving, we're accomplishing, we're making a difference. We feel like we're making a difference, for the church, or for society, or for other people. We're helping their lives to be better. You know, everybody has to feel like: I've got a purpose, in my work. Well, that doesn't come, because of sin. So that was before sin. That's the way God created us: to have meaning, and purpose, and achievement. And that will be after sin. And I think that will be in eternity. So the fact that we will work — it may sound counter to: you mean work, in heaven? Work, in eternity? Well, what do you mean by work? I mean: the best work is something where, you know, I can't believe I get paid, for doing something I like to do. I mean, it's work, in the sense of effort, exertion — mentally and physically. But it's enjoyment. And I think that's a healthy concept of work.

The worst case — the servant who works as unto the Lord

• And so, even Paul talks about this, in the worst case scenario, of slaves. Which, of course: slavery is contrary to God's will. And when you really study the Old Testament — and especially the New Testament — we've talked about this before: slavery is absolutely contrary, to biblical principles, and Christian teaching. However, the first-century Christians lived in a society where 30% of the population were slaves. And especially in the beginning, a disproportionate number of converts were slaves. So what do you do, if you are a slave, and now you're a Christian? Are you supposed to kill your master, in the middle of the night? Are you supposed to try to rebel against government, and everybody gets slaughtered? And Paul says: no. And you see this, in the epistles of Paul — such as Ephesians — also Peter: that if you are in a situation where you're a servant, a household servant, or slave — not to justify that, from a theological point of view, but that's your life — well: do a good job. Work hard, as a good example. Obey your masters. Not because they deserved it ('deserved on you', as heard). Because, in this case in life, you're going to be an example. And you may be able to win your master, to the Lord, and transform that relationship. And practically, if not legally, you might gain your freedom. But it's not just for that. You're trying to win a soul. And you're trying to grow the church, and not hinder the church, not have the church destroyed. Well, but do a good job. Not just as eye service ('ey service', as heard). Not just when people are looking. Not just as men-pleasers, just to do what's required, for your master. But as unto the Lord. So, even in the worst circumstances, of a servant, or a slave — or you're an employee (the word stands doubled, as 'an empy employee', in the text) of a job that's drudgery, that you hate, that you're forced to do, so to speak — he said: try to think of it: I'm serving the Lord. And I'm going to do a good job. Whatever I do, I do with excellence. Not just for other people to notice. But God notices. And not just other people around. But God's around. And doing that gives your life intrinsic value, no matter what forced you to do what you're doing. You can take a godly pride, that you are working with excellence. You're working for God. And even though other people may be enslaving, or abusing, or controlling you, in some degree: yet you have inner freedom, because you're working for God. They might think they're forcing you to do whatever they want. But in your heart you could say: no, I'm working for God. And so that gives meaning, even in the most miserable of existences. And potentially that's a pathway to freedom, as well. Because your employer (the word stands as 'employe', in the text) — or your, even, a slave owner — may recognize those qualities, and may change the way they treat you. May give you your freedom (the words stand as 'give you their freedom'). May — it may lead to a promotion. It may lead to a better job. May lead to better opportunity. So there's a pragmatic component, that: if you do well, and you seek excellence, even the worst of circumstances — that's probably the most likely pathway out of that. But you're not just doing that, for utilitarian reasons. You're doing that, because you're a child of God. So I do think we need a much more healthy, and robust, theology of work ('Theology of War work', as the closing phrase stands garbled), that helps give meaning to our lives, here and now, regardless of our circumstances. And also give us a hope, for an exciting future, in the life to come.

Scripture index: Genesis 3:19; Genesis 3; Genesis 2:15.