Ponderings on "Why Work?" - Number 2

It is always strange and painful to have to change a habit of mind..

- Dorothy Sayers

Sayers asks "what is the Christin understanding of work?" and then follows with propositions arising from her doctrinal position: work is the natural exercise and function of man - the creature who is made in the image of his Creator.

That position mostly alludes me and when I happen upon it, and really start pondering it, like now...my thoughts run from "huh? to why don't I hear more about this, to...well Smitty...it's throughout the scripture. Pay attention."

Sometimes I get that far, mostly it continues to allude me, or me it.


During the past year I've been helping out from time-to-time at HCBC's Austin Job Seekers Network. Craig Foster runs an incredible program for 100 or so white collared (mostly), career minded men and women that come through there each week. Many, or most, have had there lives turned upside down by a sudden loss of job. Others have been in a constant turmoil of job changes their entire life.

We've all personally experienced, or had close family or friends, who've been without work, savings eroded, career path halted and seeming to end. It's tough, it brings about some strange thoughts and struggles and I don't wish it on anyone. Proverbs 25:2 says The glory of God conceals matters; the glory of kings is to search matters out.

The loss of a job, career and income can cause struggles that are difficult to search out.

Yet, so can any job, at any time. Many reading this are in jobs, and struggling. Why?

Work is a tough subject, a tough task and most want to embrace, tackle or run from it based upon its enjoyment and/or monetary fruits.

I pray that I ponder, dwell, at least THINK a bit more today on work being my natural function and how I'm made in the image of God, my Creator.

To that end....

Ponderings on "Why Work?"

We might be well-served to remember the ancient Hebrew word "avodah;" the Old Testament translates it three different ways - to work, to worship and to serve.

- David W. Miller 

Why work?

In some form or fashion I assume everyone asks himself this question. While in high school (40+) years ago(!) I remember a teacher, Mr. Casper, asking the question "if you were wealthy and didn't have to work, would you?"

My answer was "absolutely!" Johnny Snead snickered and said "no way."

All these years later, I don't know what made Mr. Casper ask this question but I can only assume he wasn't just wanting to plant the subject into his students' thoughts, but was pondering the question himself. Johnny? Well, he was much closer to reality than me.

Why Work? is the title to a small book Dorothy Sayers (1893-1957) wrote in 1947. Some would say Ms. Sayers, crime writer, poet, playwright and Christian humanist, was "ahead of her time." Without debating that right now, I will give in and say her style and thoughts resonated with many during her lifetime and many theology of work writers (Doug Sherman, R. Paul Stevens, David Miller, Os Guinness, etc) since. Resonates with me too.

This is the first in at least 12 posts where I'll be pondering the subject and Ms. Sayers writings on that question....Why Work?

Why work? What's the purpose of work? Should one ever stop working? Where's the balance to working your tail off, but depending upon God?

Augustine reportedly said work like it depends upon you and pray like it depends upon God.

I say "huh?, really?, work like it depends upon me?" Is that right, or is it pray AND work like it depends on God.

To that end....let's see what Dorothy has to say about this subject of Why Work? and the path these ponderings take.

PS...thanks to the Britt Harris and The Austin Christian Business Summit for the copy of Dorothy Sayers' Why Work?