You can dream it, talk about it, and desire it, but without hard work, you will never get what you want out of life. So while it might be easier for some and harder for others, we all have to put in the work to gain success.
And so here are some of the best bible verses on this subject of labor that can be used on Labor Day or any area of your life.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 : Working diligently with your Hands
“And to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you.”
The reason that Paul wrote this to the Thessalonians is that while they were waiting for the Lord, they were sitting around doing nothing and possibly living their lives through the lives of others.
Or he must have seen a set of people who were idling, gossiping, and doing everything else but working, and so he wrote this letter telling them to stop being bystanders and to find proper use of their time. Through their labor, they would not only be able to support themselves, but they could potentially support others as well.
Proverbs 14:23: Hard work pays off
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
There are so many people today who always talk of doing something, but never do, and sadly, so many opportunities and experiences pass them because of that. And so the main idea here is that “Talk is Cheap” and idle work only leads to poverty.
Proverbs 10:4: Putting in the elbow grease
“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” The Bible stated again that “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
And so to gain the profit of what life has to offer, you have got to turn your words into actions.
Psalms 128:2: Enjoy the rewards of your relentless work
“You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.”
A wise man works for his bread and does not depend on the efforts of others to survive. And so this verse, simply put, when you put in the work, you shall enjoy the fruit of your labor. The Lord God will also bless the work of your hands if you work diligently to earn an honest living.
And as a reminder, as the saying goes “God helps those who help themselves.”
Deuteronomy 5:14: Make sure you rest after vigorous work
“But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it, you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do.”
Do you remember the phrase, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy?” Well, the same goes for work as well. Taking a day to rest is needed, it is good for your health, and it is even commanded; even God rested on the seventh day.
We all need to take a break from all our hard work every now and then, whether that is to go to church, for family time, or even just to enjoy the fruits of our hard labor. And so in all your honest work, please don’t forget to set aside a day to rest.
Psalms 127:3 : Go the extra mile for your children
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”
Behold you are about to birth a blessing from the Lord, a good reward from him. Whether this is your first child or second, the pain of labor might be unbearable, but it will be worth it when you hold your baby in your arms for the first time.
And every day after that is constant work, preparing them and grooming them into men and women of God.
Philippians 4:13 : Grinding away with God’s strength
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
This is another reminder that in Christ Jesus, even in our weakness, we can be strengthened. This is needed especially when a mother in labor can take hours and hours and the longer it takes, the more draining it feels.
And there are not enough mental preparations one can do to face what happens in the delivery room. God also gave you the strength to carry your child this far and He is willing and able to ensure that you have a safe delivery, just keep holding on to His strength.
Romans 15:13 : Don’t give up when putting in the hours
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
It is no secret that labor is seen to be one of the most painful and joyous moments in a woman’s life. It may even be unbearable that you will want to give up. However, this encouraging verse is a reminder that the peace of God is with you as long as you allow him to take over the reins.
Isaiah 41:10 : God will keep you strong when working earnestly
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Have there been times when you felt drained from a day’s work? Or did it feel like no matter how hard you work, nothing comes out of it? Well, you’re definitely not the only one. And so dear brother and sisters, Paul is telling you “Not to become weary in doing good,” for in due season, it will all make sense.
You don’t have to carry your cross alone because according to the promise in this verse, when the weight of the world is too much to carry, the Lord will give you strength. It is a promise He made to the Israelites and it is a promise for you as well, that even though your laboring might be too much, fear not, in Him, you can find refuge.
Proverbs 14:1 : Building your house with wisdom & determination
“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”
A wise man or a woman uses wisdom to build their house, but the ones who are foolish, their house will crumble because of laziness, ungodliness, and living a very selfish life.
And so the key lesson here is that whether it’s at work, in school, in the home, whatever area it is in your life, to always work hard and exercise Godly wisdom.
James 1:3: Keep working intensively
“Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
Have you ever had days in your life when you feel like throwing in the towel because no matter how hard you work, nothing in your life changes for the better? You work your 9-5, you go to church and pray, but the bills keep piling up?
As children of God, we will be tested and tried on every corner, but the Bible tells us to be of good courage. And even if the mountain seems too high to climb, don’t let the devil deter your faith, keep pushing, keep climbing, your blessing awaits!
1 Corinthians 4:12 – Hard work will come with challenges
“And we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure.”
We all can attest to the hardship that comes with labor. Not only that, but sometimes when we are climbing to the top, the devil shows its ugly face, trying to discourage us from reaching there. And so in this verse, we are told of the hardship that we as children of God will face.
Whether it’s at the office, at school, at home, or even in church, our laboring will come with challenges, but Paul is encouraging us not to live in defeat for there is a prize that awaits those who righteously endure to the end.
Matthew 5:16: Exerting Effort for God
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
We are now living in an era where many people are facing very dark periods in their lives. And so God is looking for faithful workers who will light the candle in someone’s life.
He has assigned tasks that we are required to carry out so that by our good work, we will point souls to the Kingdom. And just remember that when you “Let your own light shine, you unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” -Marianne Williamson.
Matthew 9:37: Workers are few
“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”
Jesus said these words when He saw that many people were willing to hear the gospel, but only a few faithful workers were doing the job. And so we should look into this verse as well, as there are many people today who have lost their way and need someone to guide them back to the goodness of God.
The harvest is ripe and God is looking for hard-working believers. So let us not be so caught up in going to heaven that we forget to take someone with us (Matthew 28:19).
1 Corinthians 15:58: Working earnestly for the Lord is not in vain
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Beloved brethren when you labor for the Lord, you are to be steadfast and fruitful. Labor doesn’t just mean working for ourselves, but it can also mean the work that we do for the Lord.
Are you feeding the hungry? Are you helping the less fortunate? Are you leading souls to Christ? The main question here is how are you laboring for the Lord? Well, whatever the answer is, we must sometimes go the extra mile in service to the Lord and know that our labor will not be in vain.
1 Thessalonians 2:9: Hard, Honest Work
“For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.”
The Apostle Paul was no stranger to hard labor. As a tentmaker, he had to work night and day so that he wasn’t a burden to the Thessalonians. Paul also wanted his readers to understand that yes, while it is important to work to support our daily living, he wanted to emphasize the importance of working for the Lord as well.
It doesn’t matter how much effort a person puts into their daily grind, if God is not in the picture, then all of that is done for vanity’s sake.
Paul understood the meaning of honest work, but he also took his ministry seriously. He also pointed out the labor of love (1 Thessalonians 1:3), the work we do to help those in need. And so while Paul encourages honest work, he also reminds us to always “Abound in the work of God.”
Isaiah 65:23: Not labor in vain
“They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the Lord, and their descendants with them.”
The birthing process is one of the most special moments in life. Still, during labor and delivery, it can be very painful. A pain that most mothers know all too well. And so even though the pains of labor might be excruciating and long, it will be worth it when your baby enters the world.
What Does the Bible Say About Labor?
Before The Fall, God placed man in the garden of Eden to work and to take care of it (Genesis 2:15). And so it was not because of sin that we now have to work, labor stems from the beginning of time. Even God himself labored, and it was a part of His plan for us that we play our part in taking care of His beautiful creation.
However, it was also because of The Fall of Man that labor became much more of a “work to live” rather than a “live to work” situation. Like the Lord said, “The earth will produce thorns and thistles and it is by our sweat, that we will eat the plants of the field.”
So even though labor comes with a mixture of emotions, good and bad, we are still expected to work with our hands, be fruitful and multiply.
Conclusion
Dear brothers and sisters, nothing good in life comes easy. Labor is a way of life and so whether you’re enjoying your Labor Day holiday, or you’re on the grind, let these words of the Lord Jesus comfort you for all the days of your life.