WORK ETHIC FOR THE TEAM
The North Eugene High School boys’ baseball team is having its strongest season in years, starting 11–4 on the year and 5–2 in league play. “I’m a pessimist by nature when it comes to this stuff,” says head coach Kenny Niles, “but I think we’re as good as anybody in 5A baseball right now.” Niles attributes the team’s turnaround to the attitude of his players. One way this shows up is in the work the players have done between games to maintain their baseball field. When the field was in need of serious help, the coach held a work party for the team. “Guys showed up in their Wranglers and cowboy boots and went to work,” Niles says. “It’s been a long time since North Eugene has had this type of kids. These families get it; the players come with some work ethic.”

WORK ETHIC FOR GOD
God created humanity as gardeners. They are like the Creator: giving order and tending to creation in their own capacity. God’s work of redemption continued in Jesus, and our productive work continues for the good of others. Later Paul writes to answer questions from a church he founded in Thessalonica. They were mixed up about the ongoing purpose of work, and even though Paul was a leader, he showed this leadership by working with his hands. As we await Christ’s return, there is work to keep us busy.

Questions

• What role does work ethic play in someone’s life and in the lives of others?
• When have you had a different attitude toward work than you do now? What changed?
• How would you define the primary “work” of the Christian?