The last time we discussed this subject we looked at the meaning of holding fast our heritage and applied it to our use of the summer months in our social life in general and the Young People’s Convention in particular. At that time we learned that a heritage is a precious possession which has been passed down to us through the genera­tions. Our spiritual heritage is the Word of God as it is contained in the Scriptures and as it is explained for us in the confessions. The Word of God is the most precious thing that we have. For that reason we want to hold it fast, retain it in our memory, and act accordingly, also in our use of the summer months. This covers not only the sphere of our lives which we treated last time, our social life, but every sphere of our lives whether that be at home, at work, at church, at play, or at school which will soon begin again.

Let us concentrate for a moment on the fact that we must hold fast our heritage in the sphere of labor. As young people there are perhaps three different reasons to work, 1) we live at home and work in one way or another for our parents, 2) we are not yet out of school and seek, temporary employment for the summer months, 3) we no longer are in school and seek permanent employment in preparing for future home and family. In respect to work we must hold fast our heritage both with respect to seeking a job and while actually working.

The heritage which we wish to retain must always be in mind while we seek employment. If our parents provide the work for us many of our difficulties are solved. However, if one must seek employment on the open job market there are things which must be considered. Looking into this matter of work we see first of all that we must work, whether that be at home or elsewhere. If God has given us the ability to labor we must do so. Nothing is more disgusting that to see able-bodied teenagers loaf all summer when they could be working. This may mean a good-paying job or working for no pay as a volunteer or for one’s parents, but certainly one should not be idle. This idleness is the cause of much unrest, vandalism, and simple troublemaking. Remember what Paul said to the Thessalonians in II Thess. 3:10, ‘‘For when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” We must live as parasites, but be contributors in the way of our work.

After we see that it is incumbent upon us to work we must seek employ­ment that will not cause us to forsake our heritage. In other words we would not seek employment in the tavern, or in the movie theatre, in professional sports, in the night club, etc. No, such jobs would certainly destroy that heritage within us. Having ruled out certain types of employ­ment does not settle all of our problems. A particular job may be good in itself, but the time and place of such labor is also important. We must ask ourselves, do I have to work on Sunday? will I be taken away from the sphere of church activity? We may have to settle for a job less desirable to us, but the sufferings of this present time cannot be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us. We must realize that our whole life revolves around our church and the heritage that is preserved therein. Take a job 50-100 miles from church with the idea that you can be at home and in church on Sunday and what do you have? Seemingly the best of two worlds, a good job and church on Sunday. However, you will soon find out that your church-life suffers and you become what is known as a Sunday-Christian. You are outside the sphere of believers in your work, you have no societal life, no visiting with the fellow saints. Sooner or later this kind of job and life will take its toll. Always seek work, young people, in close proximity to our churches. This cannot be stressed strongly enough. Finally, after finding a suitable job at a suitable time and place, there is always the question, “Is union member­ship required?” One certainly wants no part in this world’s ungodly unions which rebel against God-instituted authority.

One may think that he has now answered all the questions with respect to holding fast our heritage in the sphere of labor. But alas, we have only discussed the seeking of work. What about holding fast our heritage while we are working after we have found a job? The apostle Paul reminds us in Rom. 12:11, “Not slothful in business.” and again in vs. 17, “Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” And once again listen to God’s Word in Eph. 6:5-8, “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” From these Scriptural passages there can be seen several principles which apply to our labor. In the first place, we must do our work well, to the best of our ability. One who is slothful actually is stealing from his employer for he is getting paid for work not done or not done well. Doing this in our work will also affect our attitude toward other things in other spheres of life.

Secondly, one must never forget that the employer is the boss, the one who has authority over the employee. Hence, we must obey all of his orders, unless they are directly against God’s Word. Further­more, one must be a good example unto fellow employees. By doing as we are ordered and performing our tasks well we are obedient to our God which obedience others will see. God uses this action of his children in the salvation of His people. By our good example God brings His own into the sphere of the church where the Word is preached while by that same example He hardens those whom are not His own. Therefore, we must be careful not to profane the name of the Lord in our conversation with co-laborers. We must keep ourselves free from the pollution of the world.

By now it certainly must be evident that a job is more than simply a job, but that it too is subject to the Word of God. Our whole life is governed by that Word and our calling is to maintain that standard, hold fast our heritage, also in our daily labors. We all have to be made mindful of this fact, especially as young people. May God grant you His grace that our heritage may be held fast.