Labor Day 2021 will be observed on Monday, September 6th. It is traditionally observed on the first Monday of each September. This special day was set aside as a way to pay tribute to the achievements and immense contributions of America’s working men and women. It often symbolizes the conclusion of summer and ushers in the fun fall season.

It became an official American holiday in 1894 and was primarily enacted as a “workingman’s holiday” and was a goodwill gesture between Congress and the American worker. Previously, workers were forced to endure long, arduous days of laboring without breaks or consideration for any physical needs. Eventually, through protests and the formation of unions, the government began to appreciate the plight of American workers. The end result was a great deal of reform to labor laws but also the beginning and official recognition of Labor Day, which is the topic at hand.

Today, as believers we can use Labor Day as a great reminder of the many wonderful works God does for us. We can also look to God’s example in that He, Himself, rested after a full week of labor. After all, the idea of rest is even addressed in the Ten Commandments. Suffice it to say that God has not only endorsed rest but commanded it and observed it Himself. Therefore, an easy tip for Christian living this holiday is resting from our labor. To get you started on the right track towards appreciating the history of this special day and once again, looking to God’s example for how to live our daily lives to honor Him, consider the following passages:

Labor Day Scriptures & Passages

Exodus 20:11

“For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but He rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”

In this verse, we see an example not only of the benefit of laboring but of resting after said labor. God Himself saw fit to not only work to create the heavens and the earth for us all to enjoy but to take the time to rest and rejuvenate after the fact. This should make us feel great knowing that we too are called to rest and that taking a break after a hard week of work is not lazy, but is exemplified by God Himself.

1 Corinthians 10:31

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Sometimes, life can feel a bit unimportant. If you spend your days doing dishes, making meals, taking care of kids, pets or your family, you can reach the end of the day and often feel you have accomplished little of significance. However, as a believer, your day, even in its mundane details, is a way to honor God. Your eating, your drinking, your labor, should be done to glorify and honor God. He is a God who cares about the details of life. He sees each meal you cook and each load of clothes you run!

Proverbs 14:23

“All hard work brings profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”

Talk is cheap as the adage says. This verse from Proverbs very much confirms this saying. Hard work is how you get ahead financially. It’s how you earn a profit. Merely talking about work, or talking about what you want to do will lead you only to poverty. This is true in essentially every field of labor.

Acts 20:35

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remember the words the Lord Jesus Himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Not only is Labor Day an excellent opportunity to recognize the worth of labor and subsequent rest, but it is a great day to consider how beneficial it is to labor for the weak, helping those who can’t help themselves. Though the logic is completely mathematically backward, giving is more blessed than getting. This doesn’t necessarily mean giving money (though it could), in this verse, we are given the example of Jesus who gave of Himself. We too can give of our time and resources to help those who are weak and in need.

Proverbs 12:11

“Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.”

God makes provisions for us as believers to provide for our families. One common way to make a living back in Biblical times was to work the land by farming. Today, our way of providing for our families might no longer involve farming as other professions have taken over in popularity; however, working to provide for your needs is still applicable. In addition, the chasing fantasies part of the verse does not imply that dreams are inherently bad, but that relying solely on dreams or fantasies is no way to put food on the table.

Proverbs 18:9

“One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.”

The Bible is pretty clear on the benefit of work and pretty harsh on those who do not do their part. This verse is another example of this, being unwilling to work is just as bad as destroying something.

Matthew 5:16

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds (works) and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Good deeds are not only done to the benefit of others but they are to glorify God. That means even our labor, our mundane daily tasks can be a way to serve God and glorify His name (especially the work of busy moms, healthcare workers, community members and more).

Proverbs 10:4

“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”

Remaining diligent is one way to ensure that your needs are met. By contrast, one way to ensure poverty is laziness.

Hopefully, the Labor Day scriptures will inspire you to issue a Labor Day prayer, look up Labor Day sermons or enjoy Labor Day devotions. Also, keep the Christian apparel for Love in Faith in mind as you celebrate this day of rest from a job well done.