Monday most of us will observe Labor Day, taking off from work to celebrate the virtues of work!
Labor Day dates to the late 1800’s, celebrating economic and social contributions of workers. It also serves as a time for many to enjoy the fruits of their labors. Except “their” is sometimes interpreted to mean “other people’s.” In other words, the fruits of other people’s labors.
Imagine this scenario.
At Prestige University, one of the elite schools in the land, there's a stellar student appropriately named Stella. She’s earned all A’s and expects to become class valedictorian, graduating maximum cum laude (or something like that). Hard work, determination and sacrifice make her an example of what personal initiative can achieve.
But during her senior year, the student advisor informs her, “Stella, you’ve really applied yourself and done incredible work. I commend you. Unfortunately, Wilbur hasn’t applied himself and his classroom work has been mediocre at best. You see, he’s been preoccupied with other things. You know how distracting college life can be.
“Wilbur really feels badly about it – and we don’t want him feeling bad, do we? So we’re taking 15 points from each of your final grades and giving them to Wilbur. But even by removing those points, they’re still high enough for honor roll status…. Hope you won’t mind.”
Ridiculous, right? Yet that’s a line of reasoning these days. Business owners invest countless hours, sweat equity and sacrifice – sometimes teetering on the brink of bankruptcy (or beyond) – in pursuit of their dreams. They spend sleepless nights fretting over payroll, bills, capital expenditures, and growth plans. Now that they're reaping fruits of their labors, some in our society think those proceeds should be distributed to others that have contributed nothing.
I applaud efforts for giving people opportunities to get ahead, to ascend the ladder of success. But that doesn’t mean providing helicopters to carry them directly to the top.
Not everyone is born into the same environment; some people have more advantages than others to get started along life’s journey. Those that lack the necessary education, training and skills to find jobs they love should have access to those resources. But just as fictional Wilbur shouldn’t be entitled to share the academic rewards of Stella’s diligent studies, our Constitution doesn’t guarantee – or warrant – people getting something they’re not willing to earn.
In 2 Thessalonians 3:10, the apostle Paul gave this admonition: “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat.’" Interestingly, even the Communist Manifesto included similar language, underscoring the importance of everyone working to make meaningful contributions to society.
Labor Day commemorates work and its intrinsic value. Work provides a basic livelihood as well as life purpose, a sense of achievement, and the dignity of being of worth, able to contribute significantly to others.
Years ago I authored a book called Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace, exploring perspectives on work from Proverbs. Here are samples:
“The laborer’s appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on” (Proverbs 16:26).
“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men” (Proverbs 22:29).
“He who tends a fig tree with eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored” (Proverbs 27:18).
“Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor” (Proverbs 12:24).
Work is hard – but it’s also good. So let’s celebrate it and do what we can to help others become noble participants in it. Anyone that’s willing is entitled to enjoy the fruits of their own labors.
Bob Tamasy
(http://www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com/2012/08/fruits-of-their-labors.html).
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Yes, I agree. Your scenario is ridiculous, on so many levels. Not only have you denigrated the idea of "Labor Day" by using non-factual hyperbole, you have also managed to bring the Bible into the discussion, while at the same time giving a not-so-subtle slam at the current administration. Bravo.
Labor day was invented by workers. It wasn't invented by so-called job creators or the mythical small business owner, both of which claim to be supposedly down trodden by the staggering amount of regulations passed by the current administration, even though that amount is far less than what was legislated by the previous Bush presidency. Why quibble with facts?
Labor Day was to honor the worker. The laborer. The guy or gal that came home at the end of the day dirty and filthy from a hard days work. Not the company owner that had his forth three martini lunch of the week and spent the afternoon trying to figure out how to move more money into his offshore Cayman Island bank account.
Nowadays corporations and high income individuals are taxed at the lowest rates in over 40 years and companies try their hardest to take advantage of the new "global economy" by outsourcing jobs at every possible opportunity. I think it would be better served to celebrate "labor day" in China or any number of third world countries. That's where the jobs are.
Herb Montgomery
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If Herb Montgomery is opposed to the new, "global," economy and thinks all of the jobs are in, " China or third world countries ," then I suggest he take a little tour of Chattanooga and the surrounding area tomorrow. First start downtown where Alstom , a French Company, operates the old Combustion plant. Then drive out Signal Mountain Road and take a look at the Komatsu(Japanese) plant and all the heavy construction equipment sitting in the yard. Then after lunch head up I-75 and stop at Exit 8 and view the Volkswagen plant, you know Herb the German Company. Then drive on up on I-75 and check out the Wacker existing facility and the one being built in Bradley County, another German company investing in our area.
If you want to explore a little further then drive up I-24 to Smyrna and check out the Nissan plant in Smyrna. Then drive over to Franklin and check out both Nissan's North American HQs and Bridgestone's North America HQs. They are both Japanese companies companies Herb.
You see Herb, a job is a job, whether the worker is a member of a union or not. The "global," economy works in both directions Herb, whether you understand it or not.
Thanks to all workers on their day, Union or not.
Douglas Jones