The fourth commandment does not only mention God’s directive for us to keep the seventh day holy as a day of rest, but also the admonition to work on the other six days of the week.

"Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates" (Exodus 20:9-10).

God doesn't demand that we become "workaholics" – that is not healthy. But in our Western society we place a lot of emphasis on vacation, leisure activities, etc., and sometimes you get the impression that work is a "necessary evil".

The Proverbs tell us: "In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty" (Proverbs 14:23).

As employees, are we only working for our boss or the company? Not if we are Christians! "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men" (Colossians 3:23).

Our work sets an example for those who are not of our faith: "Aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing" (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).

Work enables us to practice love toward our neighbor: "Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need" (Ephesians 4:28).

Have we obeyed the fourth commandment on the first six days of this week?

With these thoughts I wish everyone a rewarding Sabbath!