This year on September 7th we celebrate the pride and spirit of the millions of men and women who have worked hard to improve the lives of not only their families, but everyone in this great country where we live! Over the last two centuries there have been many who have sacrifices so that their children and grandchildren would have a better life than they did. But in the last 50 years, we’ve seen a gradual deterioration of that mindset.

It’s been replaced with the idea, “I worked hard for what I’ve got, let them do the same!” This is not a principle that contributes to godly thinking or lifestyle. It took many hands, many hours, many years of working together to make this nation and its way of life a reality. Although criticized by many, people from all over the world would give all at the chance to live in this “land of opportunity”!

Paul wrote early Christians, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23

This is written at a time when there were very rich and very poor, those that were free and those that were slaves. No matter what their circumstances, there was equal opportunity to serve a living Savior. It is liberating to labor for a God who is always appreciative, who is honored by even the lowest and most menial tasks done in the right heart! We often hear today of people refusing a job that they consider “beneath them”, or to work for less money than they feel they deserve. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with taking benefit of opportunities that may come, remember that our Lord Jesus took on the form of the lowliest, and God lifted Him to the highest. If your attitude is one that God can honor, He will!