WORK!! WHY DO WE HATE IT SO MUCH?
I think that at some point in our lives many of us have wished we didn’t have to work. I know I have, mostly on specific days when I wanted to do something else. But I would claim that I have enjoyed every job I ever had and had fun in each one. Plus, they put bread on the table for me and my family! Work is ordained by God and mentioned many times in the Bible. The relationship between masters (now employers) and slaves (then indentured employees) is also addressed frequently from both sides; treating employees well and serving employers well and honestly. Work is the way we get food, shelter and fulfill our other needs. We ask for these things and God gives us a way to get them: Work! Was that a joke? So why is it such a contentious topic? I think there are several reasons:
• Control! When we take a job we seemingly lose control of our lives. We don’t have to, but we think we have and that is what counts. Reality is that we are gaining control with the freedom that comes from making a living.
• Selfishness! If we believe our jobs are “all about us” I think we are doomed for unhappiness in them.
• Some envy the self employed; but those folks have many bosses. They are called customers, suppliers and often, bankers!
• Work can be competitive; winners like it, losers don’t. doesn’t mean either are “bad”, just an observation. We are jealous of people who are too successful at work, and some think they should share their “winnings”.
• Working people are jealous of those who don’t have to work for a living. Stay at home spouses who take care of the household and rely on a single income family are castigated. Why? Do we see work as punishment?
• Many employees do not like their bosses. Some employers don’t like their employees. If we took some of the Biblical teachings to heart would that help?
One big topic of the day is socialism, a concept of sharing the rewards for work in addition to other things. I can actually understand why this is appealing and why it could be a good system. Especially for the folks who can’t provide for themselves. It is indeed a valid economic system. Problem is, if so many hate work who will be the ones to produce?
