Hippocrates said, “The best inheritance a parent can leave a child is a will to work.” Of course, Hippocrates was not a Christian. The best inheritance is a strong faith in Jesus Christ. But, Hippocrates is true that it is very important that we parents teach and train our children to have a strong work ethic.
How we work is just as important as the fact that we work. Good work, godly work, Christ-honoring work is done a certain way. Let’s talk a few minutes about working with the right character.
First, work with humility. Paul is addressing slaves in Ephesians 6:5-7. Today, many modern workers see their work as benefiting themselves. They do it for themselves, for their own paycheck, for their own pleasure. But the heart of Christianity is service and the heart of Christian work ethic is humility – trying to make our service the best it can be.
Second, work with an obedient heart. Again, Paul is talking to slaves (Eph. 6:5) and slaves have to do what they are told. We are to obey whoever is over us in authority – our boss, our parents, the policeman, the teacher, the coach. When one in charge says to do it, our children need to be taught: Just do it!
Third, work with a respectful attitude. Notice that slaves were to work with “fear and trembling” (6:5). Children have to be taught to honor their parents (6:2) and that honor should flow over to teachers and bosses at work. Nothing will bring respect on the job site faster than doing a great job with a great attitude.
Fourth, work sincerely. Sincerely means without complaining. Without bickering. Without criticizing. As though God were watching us. Because He, in fact, is.
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Fifth, work wholeheartedly. We need to teach our children, generally speaking, they should go above and beyond what is expected of them. We should always work as we are slaves of Christ (6:6). Laziness stems from half-heartedness; working only when someone is watching.
Sixth, work with self-initiative. Notice we are to work “with good will.” This means our children need to work with an eager attitude that does not need to be prompted or compelled. It means to be self-motivated with enthusiasm and zeal. If we can jump out of bed enthusiastically to go play but we can’t jump out of bed to go work productively, then we’ve got our priorities out of order. We need to train our children to work with self-initiative.
We live in a world that is not fair and sometimes, hard work is not rewarded in this life as it should be. But God does not forget.
Dads, we must teach our children to work responsibly: with humility, obediently, respectfully, sincerely, wholeheartedly, and with self-initiative.
Paul Holland
