The Blessings of Old Fashioned Work ~ Part Four

“If this country is ever demoralized,

it will come from trying to live without work.” 

~ Abraham Lincoln

Besides the brilliant sense of accomplishment, healthy lifestyle of physical activity and the sweetness of $avings, there is something morally and spiritually strengthening when involving oneself in old fashioned labor. It is the blessed business that keeps you out of everyone else's business.

"A life of full and constant employment is the only safe and happy one. If we suffer the mind and body to be unemployed, our enjoyments, as well as our labors, will be terminated. One of the minor uses of steady employment is, that it keeps one out of mischief; for truly an idle brain is the devil's workshop, and a lazy many the devil's bolster. To be occupied is to be possessed as by a tenant, whereas to be idle is to be empty; and when the doors of the imagination are opened, temptation finds a ready access, and evil thoughts come trooping in. It is observed at sea that men are never so much disposed to grumble and mutiny as when least employed. Hence an old captain, when there was nothing else to do, would issue the order to "scour the anchor."'

~ The Royal Path of Life, 1882

As the saying goes, "idle hands are the devil's workshop". How many busybodies would be unemployed the minute they were introduced to some old fashioned work and its blessed cousin called "industry"? At the end of day, they (or we) would be too exhausted to cause any mischief! 

"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread."

~2 Thessalonians 3:10-12

Perhaps one reason that God created work for Adam and Eve, was to simply keep them out of trouble. Many of us may say we are very busy, too busy, in fact. But I do suggest that though we may be "busy", we are not being "industrious". Perhaps we are busy checking our emails, updating our social media accounts and chit-chatting on the phone. Although there is nothing wrong with any of these, when it is not mixed in with a goodly dose of work, one can slip and fall into the world of gossip, idleness and meddling.

The wholesome lifestyle of old fashioned labor keeps you productive, a blessing to your family and is even a testimony to your faith.

"And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully."

~ 1 Timothy 5:13-14

Ladies, let us keep ourselves "busy" with the good things in life, real "old fashioned labor" that produces tangible and blessed, beautiful fruit! Raising our children, feeding our minds with useful information, stocking our pantries, maintaining gardens, serving those in need, creative handiwork and so forth. These are the things which God smiles upon! It will transform you into a Titus-2 testimony. Old fashioned work, combined with a healthy dose of the "fear of the Lord", is what made the Proverbs 31 woman shine. And it will make you radiate, like a precious gem, to all who exist in your little world too!

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

She looketh well to the ways of her household,

and eateth not the bread of idleness."

~ Proverbs 31:10, 27

{See part one , part two, part three, part four and part five of this series.}

{Note: All these beautiful and nostalgic paintings were created by the talented Benjamin Wu.

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