Instilling a Proper Perspective Towards Work in Children

In 1894, the United States adopted the first Monday in September as the legal holiday known as Labor Day. For children, Labor Day is often known as the last day off before going back to school, celebrated with perhaps a family picnic or barbecue. Most kids don’t really understand the meaning of why we celebrate Labor Day; they’re just glad to have a day off to enjoy the end of summer. After all, why would you celebrate work?

However, back in the day, it was the laborers who pushed for this holiday to be created. They wanted a time to celebrate the achievements of American workers and their contributions that better our society. They recognized that work is actually an important part of life, and one that God gave to us as a gift. Here are three biblical truths about labor you can teach kids to start instilling a proper perspective towards work in children, helping them live a more productive, contented life.

1. Work is Good

The first step towards instilling a proper perspective towards work in children is to teach them that work is good. The Bible tells us God put man in the garden of Eden to work—to have a purpose in life, with tasks to keep us busy and creative. Work is not bad or a result of Adam and Eve’s sin, although it did become harder as a result of sin. God knows that work is good for us. It gives us meaning and teaches discipline, creativity, and how to contribute to others in the world around us. 

Which means that if you want help instilling a proper perspective towards work in children, as soon as they are able, children should participate in age-appropriate work. They can put their toys away, set and clear the table, or put their dirty clothes in the hamper. When instilling a proper perspective towards work in children, many things that may be considered as “chores” should really be natural parts of our lives. For example, consider having the house rule that if you make a mess, you clean it up. As kids get older, they can do the dishes, help with laundry, pull weeds, and mow the grass.

Kids will especially like working with you. Just because it’s work, doesn’t mean it can’t be fun or a great way to spend quality time together. Often, instilling a proper perspective towards work in children means helping them to enjoy the goodness that can come from labor. Make work enjoyable rather than a chore by singing a song with them as they pick up their toys, asking them questions about their life and interests, or having a race and counting together to see if they can finish by the time you reach 100. Even simply sharing a story from your life with them while doing the dishes can turn a chore into a cherished memory.

2. We Were Created to Work for God

The second truth for instilling a proper perspective towards work in children is to teach kids that we should do our work for God. The Bible tells us we are created in Christ Jesus to do good works. And God has given us His Word so we can be equipped for every good work to draw on His infinite knowledge and strength. To start instilling a proper perspective towards work in children, help kids understand that work isn’t something they do because you tell them to, something they do to make others happy, or even for themselves. We should all work because it pleases God and makes Him happy—fulfilling our deep purpose to bring Him glory. We were created to work for God, and we can find so much joy by doing so!

3. All Good Work Will Be Rewarded

Last but not least, the third truth for instilling a proper perspective towards work in children, is to remember God’s promise that all good work will be rewarded. These rewards for hard work can be physical, spiritual, or both, but they will come if you teach kids how to notice them. For example, those who garden get to enjoy the fruits of what they’ve grown, while those who build get to see the results of the finished product. Most people consider getting a paycheck as their reward for work, and God does expect His people to work to earn their own living. But did you know God rewards most greatly those who do their work for Him? When we seek to work for the Lord and His Kingdom, we can know our labor is meaningful in ways that will have an eternal impact. And beyond the treasures God stores up in heaven for us, God will use what we do for good here on earth, even though we may not always see it.

To start instilling a proper perspective towards work in children, you can encourage kids to work hard by rewarding them for their efforts. Saying thank you, giving an allowance, offering a special dessert, or taking them someplace fun will show them you recognize and appreciate all their hard work. But be sure to remind them that God also sees and rewards work done for Him in far greater ways. This Labor Day, we encourage you to talk with your kids about labor and start instilling a proper perspective towards work in children. After all, God made us to work, and when we do our work to please God, we will be rewarded! of the time, fighting happens because we are selfish — not because we’re looking out for others. When we keep our anger in check and use it for good, we fulfill God’s purpose for anger. After all, God has righteous anger, and we can have righteous anger too when we use the emotion as the godly, selfless tool it was designed to be