Labour

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 15
In Proverbs 14:2323In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. (Proverbs 14:23), we read: “In all labor there is profit; but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.” Even as regards prayer, in which we are exhorted to continue and to watch therein with thanksgiving (Colossians 4:22Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; (Colossians 4:2)) there is such a thing as “laboring fervently,” as Epaphras did, of whom the apostle writes as “a servant of Christ,” whose heart's desire was that his Colossian brethren might stand perfect and complete in all the will of God (4:12). It will be no talk of the lips, if, instead of thinking of our prayers as something meritorious, we remember the One we are privileged to address, the Name we are authorized to plead, and who has said, “All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” What an immense comfort is this! To doubt would he to dishonor Him who “spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all,” for “how shall He not with Him also, freely give us all things.” Paul to the Corinthians speaks of himself as “in labors more abundant,” and to the Colossians, in whom was Christ, the hope of glory, he says: “Whom we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ, whereunto I also labor, striving according to His working which worketh in me mightily” (1:27-29). Let us remember that the reward in the coming day will not be according to the success which the servant may here have seemed to have achieved, but “every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.”
In Romans 16:1212Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which labored much in the Lord. (Romans 16:12), amongst the salutations, Tryphena and Tryphosa are alluded to as, “who labor in the Lord,” and “the beloved Persis who labored much in the Lord,” and in Philippians 4:33And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlaborers, whose names are in the book of life. (Philippians 4:3), these “women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life,” which blessed fact as to themselves had not rendered them careless about those who have no hope. The apostle “labored and suffered reproach because he had his trust in the living God who is the Savior (or Preserver) of all men, specially of those who believe,” a ground of confidence infinitely to be preferred to uncertain riches “Your work of faith and labor of love” are remembered along with “the patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God and our Father” 1 Thessalonians 1:33Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; (1 Thessalonians 1:3)). “God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love which ye have showed toward His Name, in that ye have ministered to the saints and do minister” (Hebrews 6:1010For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6:10)). Truly labor in the Lord has many a sphere for its activities.
Besides the foregoing there is a labor we are apt to neglect, namely, a labor to enter into that rest “which remaineth for the people of God.” Doubtless we shall better do so if “we labor that whether present or absent we may be accepted of Him,” or as another has translated it, “Wherefore also we are zealous, whether present or absent, to be agreeable to Him” (1 Cor. 5:88Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Corinthians 5:8)). If we wish to serve well our God and Father and the Lord Jesus, such service has, of course, its cares, but these are included in the “casting all your care” upon Him. It has its secrets, as John 2:99When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, (John 2:9) shows: “the servants who drew the water knew,” and in result it should lead to increased communion. Much more might be written on this subject, but let this suffice: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:3838But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. (1 Corinthians 15:38)).
W. N. T.