New book promotes biblical work ethic among young men

Contemporary culture may teach young boys that they need to work hard only at mastering the controls on their Xbox, but a new book argues that a strenuous, joyful work ethic is a critical plank in the foundation that underpins a robust, biblical manhood.

Contemporary culture may teach young boys that they need to work hard only at mastering the controls on their Xbox, but a new book argues that a strenuous, joyful work ethic is a critical plank in the foundation that underpins a robust, biblical manhood.

In Created For Work: Practical Insights for Young Men (Great Expectations, 2006), carpenter, father and author Bob Schultz demonstrates that God’s standard for young men calls for dirt under the fingernails instead of a comfortable seat in front of the television.

“Modern culture seems addicted to ease and entertainment,” the book’s back cover reads. “It has produced a generation of educated, yet often dishonest, unproductive, and weak-willed men. God desires higher standards for His people. He is looking for young men who do not shy away from hard work, who are not afraid to get their hands dirty, who can follow directions, think creatively, respect authority, and happily complete their duties in a timely manner.”

Using Scripture and illustrations from everyday life, Schultz demonstrates how a young man shines forth the image of God most clearly when he is diligently and joyfully learning how to work. Work is not a part of the curse of Adam, but is instead a God-ordained classroom in which young boys learn to be honest, godly leaders of homes and churches, Schultz asserts.
“In the education of boys today, we’ve lost the importance of work as a most effective tutor,” Schultz writes. What is the good of knowing how to read or write if a young man doesn’t have the heart to work, to produce, and to create? Boys are often forced to sit for hours, year after year, in front of books. Modern child-labor laws hinder and even prevent them from learning to enjoy strenuous work. And then, after twelve to sixteen years of inactivity, folks wonder why all their teenager wants to do is sit on the couch playing games.

“A boy who loves to work will master math when it’s needed. He’ll put out the effort to read what’s important. In the meantime, his interaction with things that are “actual and practical” will provide the wisdom he needs to direct him into useful pursuits, and empower him to provide for a family of his own in days to come.”

Schultz deals with a myriad of work-related, boy-related issues from a biblical perspective. For example, he shows that a young man honors God in His work when he approaches every task, no matter how menial, with joy and conscientiousness.

He also warns against the danger of hyper-industriousness in which work is transformed from a set of tasks done with joy to the glory God into a golden calf that is worshiped in the place of the Creator.

“The grand quality of diligence, which is essential when you begin working, turns a man into a workaholic if not balanced,” he writes. “The freedoms that bless the industrious become snares when given to selfish pleasure. The diligent are tempted to forget God, trust in riches, and look down on the poor. What once was the reward of hard work quickly transforms resources to fulfill the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Be on guard.”

“God designs the diligent to collect resources and talents with the goal to use them in an appropriate season for good. As always, Jesus leads us by His example.”

Jesus, though he had all the resources in the universe at His disposal, did not use them for his own pleasure, but used them to redeem sinners, Schultz writes. In the same way, young men should use their talents and resources to the glory of God.

Schultz is also author of the 2004 title by Great Expectations, Boyhood and Beyond: Practical Wisdom for Becoming a Man. Both books are available through the CBMW web store at new.cbmw.org/store.