Monday is Labor Day in the US and Canada, a national holiday that dates back to the 1880s. It has its roots in the labor movement and is celebrated in September in North America, distinct from most of the world which celebrates the International Workers Day on May 1.
Our Christian faith has much to say about labor and work. God was a worker God and a creative God. He then asked mankind to be creative and to take care of God’s creation (Genesis 1:28, Genesis 2:15). Thus work was and still should be an activity of fulfillment, joy, and satisfaction.
Deuteronomy 8:18 validates the ability that God has given to us to create wealth.
I have long been a fan of Paul Sohn’s blogs and this one caught my attention because he highlights Simon Sinek in a short 2-minute video which reminds us that we should be fulfilled at work: Simon Sinek On How To Find Fulfillment At Work. Fulfillment comes as we think about others first through generosity and trusting relationships. It is part of our commitment as God worshipers to obey his commands, one of which is to do good to all. Both the Old and New Testaments refer to the Golden Rule and the Great Commandment – doing good and loving our neighbor.1
As we focus on building start-up businesses and determine the culture of our business, let us think about how we value work and we value our people, thus developing a culture which puts God first and then people – all above our own self-interests.
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31
“If you don’t understand people, you don’t understand business…make it about them, not you.” Simon Sinek
1 Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31 and Luke 10:27
Larry Sharp, Director of Training, IBEC Ventures
larry.sharp@ibecventures.com