I contributed the Thought for the Day on BBC Radio Ulster on Friday 28 August.
You can listen here, or read it below:
Martin Luther and Work
There’s a story about a shoemaker who approached the 16th Century Reformer Martin Luther and asked, “How can I serve God better? Should I leave my trade and become a minister?”
Luther advised the man not to stop shoemaking or decorate his shoes with Christian symbols. Instead, he told him to make the best shoes he could and sell them at a fair price. By devoting himself faithfully to his craft, the shoemaker would be serving both God and his neighbour.
There is no reliable evidence that this conversation ever took place. In fact, I found a version of it on a webpage titled: “The Most Famous Things Luther Never Actually Said.”
And, in case you’re wondering, there is no convincing evidence that Luther defended his ideas with the famous words “here I stand, I can do no other” – despite the prominence of that phrase on the banners of some Orange Order lodges.
But as the old saying goes, “never let the truth get in the way of a good story.” The shoemaker story perfectly captures Luther’s teaching that ordinary work is a gift from God.
I grew up in a religious culture shaped by the Puritan ideals of New England’s early settlers. Like Luther, these heirs of the Reformation believed that work was a gift. As a child, I was often reminded of these words from Ecclesiastes:
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”
I have sometimes wondered whether this verse lies behind the familiar expression, “I’ll rest when I’m dead.”
Many aspects of contemporary life encourage the temptation to overwork: technology that keeps us permanently connected, work emails that arrive at all hours, and the constant drive to acquire more possessions. For some, there is also the belief that hard work is especially pleasing to God.
Yet it is worth remembering that the creation story in Genesis presents humanity’s first full day as a Sabbath. The God who gave us a garden to cultivate also commanded us to rest. As we approach the weekend, many of us will have the opportunity to step back from the demands of work and enjoy a period of much-needed respite.
The biblical message, it seems, is not “I’ll rest when I’m dead,” but “I’ll rest before then.” Enjoy the weekend!
Image: Playmobil Martin Luther