How Work Makes Us Rich
by Annie Yorty ©2021
What is your attitude about work? A necessary evil? Drudgery? Or maybe your calling? Keep reading to consider a new perception of how work makes us rich.
A typical work scenario in my home—
“Mom.”
“Mom!” Alyssa’s voice penetrates my consciousness. I finally look up from my tasks in the other room.
“The dishes are all officially put away.” Alyssa proudly announces this fact daily right after she snaps the empty dishwasher shut.
I reply, as usual, “Thank you, Alyssa. I really appreciate it!”
Putting away clean dishes is one of Alyssa’s chores. We count on her to do this for the family. And she feels happy to contribute.
Two views on work
Most of us look forward to the weekends. Vacations. Our days off work. Maybe even counting down the days until a long-awaited retirement. We work only to earn money to pay the expenses of living. We think if we’re lucky, maybe the work will make us rich along the way.
A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich (Proverbs 10:4 ESV).
This proverb doesn’t say work makes us who we are. Work is not our identity. But the verse does tell us richness flows from work, and poverty is the result of not working. The words “poverty” and “rich” in this verse may be considered in both physically and spiritually.
Everyone can work
Having a child with Down syndrome makes me think more broadly about labor. So often the assumption is made that an individual with Down syndrome is unable to do meaningful work. But Alyssa yearns to work. Not just for the paycheck, but for the significance and satisfaction she instinctively knows it brings. For a different way work makes us rich.
While it’s true some types of work are difficult for Alyssa, she possesses many capabilities. Long ago I decided to help her figure out what she can do, what she likes to do, what she doesn’t like to do, and what she should do. We all need to know these things about ourselves.
After some trial and error, we settled on the household tasks that would “belong” to Alyssa. Just like every other person in the home, she assumed certain responsibilities according to her abilities.
Can unreasonable standards diminish how work makes us rich?
Are Alyssa’s chores always perfectly completed (by my standards)? Not always. Alyssa hates to dry dishes before storing them. Sometimes I nag her about it, but mostly I try to remember to replenish the drying agent in the dishwasher so we don’t have wet dishes.
Occasionally I can’t find a kitchen utensil because Alyssa put it in a special place of her own choosing. Fortunately, when I ask her about it, she always remembers its location.
I’m learning to let go of perfectionism to allow others to take ownership of tasks. Careless criticism discourages and steals the rich reward of work. Thankfully work quality usually improves with practice over time. Or maybe not.
But the point is that each person joins in to accomplish the work.
Deep down, everyone wants to contribute
We all need to feel useful. To have a purpose. We’re not all built the same, but all have something to offer. While sometimes we may not feel like working, we enjoy the pride of accomplishment upon completion of a job. That’s another way that work makes us rich.
How sad it is for the those who cannot, or will not, work. Not only might they experience physical poverty, but they also are robbed of the fulfillment and joy of participating in God-given work.
Alyssa will never reap any great monetary reward by putting away the dishes or from her other work outside the house. But work makes her rich in the satisfaction that comes from blessing her family with her abilities.
God’s provision
Given a new way to think about how work makes us rich, I thank God for providing labor. Through it I have riches my bank account will never reveal.
Join the conversation:
Have you ever experienced a disability that changed your perception of the value of work?
Other than monetary reward, how does your work make you rich?
I welcome your comments.
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24 Comments
Cari
It was really insightful where you said, “I’m learning to let go of perfectionism to allow others to take ownership of tasks. Careless criticism discourages and steals the rich reward of work.” I can certainly relate! We all have our certain way we want things done and sometimes need to let go of that control for someone else to contribute their own way, how God uniquely created them to contribute.
This is such an encouraging message for those of us working at a non-paying (SAHM) or low-paying job, like a start up business. I am so richly blessed through both, even though I am not rolling in the dough!
Annie Yorty
I’m sad to say I had to learn the lesson about criticism through my mistakes as a mom. Thankfully, God covers us with His grace! I’m glad you were encouraged, Cari.
Mae
Well said! I am mentally disabled and struggled for years with thinking less of myself because I couldn’t work as much or as quickly as most people do. I’m a freelance artist and I love making the buyers vision come to life on paper or canvas. The joy they express over the completed artwork is priceless and I remember it more than what they paid monetary.
Annie Yorty
Your contributions to the world are amazing!
Pat D Rayl
Great read Ann. I remember when my loved one wasn’t doing specific tasks that your daughter was. It inspired me to ‘spur’ my loved one on, so as to move into adulthood more successfully. It was a good lesson then and now with grandchildren. Work is important for all of us as God intended it to be:-)
Annie Yorty
I never knew that, Pat. Thanks for blessing me!
Katherine Pasour
What a wonderful example from your family, Annie. Thank you for sharing. I have been blessed with a long career as a teacher. Although occasionally I experienced drudgery, for the most part teaching has been my calling and I have been truly blessed. Like you, I’ll never be rich from teaching, but the feeling of contributing to someone else’s life in a postive way is worth so much more than many.
Annie Yorty
It truly is, Katherine. It helps to remember we work first and foremost for the Lord, so He’ll use our efforts for good. Thanks for your comments.
sylvia schroeder
Thanks so much for sharing Annie. I recognize perfectionism often gets in my way. Appreciated the story and the reminder of how contributing is a blessing.
Annie Yorty
Thanks very much Sylvia!
Debbie Wilson
Annie, this is precious. I love your lesson and how you and your daughter work together. Jesus called the lazy servant wicked. I agree. We can all contribute something. And we all benefit when we do.
Annie Yorty
So true! Alyssa definitely taught me a new perspective on the privilege of work.
Nancy E. Head
My father used to sell newspapers to help feed his family. He was a child. It was the Great Depression. His life had new meaning because he had a role to play in contributing to his family’s sustenance. We deprive children today if we don’t let them work.
Annie Yorty
So true, Nancy. And he learned to be unselfish too. Thanks for contributing to the conversation.
Barbara Latta
God put the desire to work into us because he wants us to be productive. He told Adam and Eve to tend the garden. Your daughter’s work assignments are productive for her and it’s great you worked out a way to find what she likes to do.
Annie Yorty
Work is a blessing from God, but since the Fall, many see it as negative. When you work “as unto the Lord,” it’s always productive.
Joanna Eccles
Thank you for your thought provoking blog. I have a friend now who has been looking for a job for two years and can’t find one. It has been really frustrating as he keeps praying for a job and not getting one. People want to work and contribute. I know someone else that because of illness has a job, but can’t perform to the level they are required and it is hard because they want to contribute. It makes me really thankful to have a job, and also I pray for people who want to work to be able to do so.
Annie Yorty
Amen, Joanna! Sometimes we don’t realize how much we’re blessed until we lose something. I, too, have experienced the inability to work due to illness. Thanks for adding to the conversation.
Judy Brunelli
Thanks for your writing, honesty and vulnerability! Since we’re being honest…I too have been known to put away damp dishes🤭
Keep up the writing! I just jumped on and am enjoying these.
Annie Yorty
Confession is good for the soul, right? 🤭 Thanks for visiting!
Patricia Tiffany Morris
A precious relationship and a lesson to each of us. Thanks for your beautiful heart sharing!
Annie Yorty
I appreciate your visit and your comments!
Stacey Dove
Doing the right work well can be a blessing and ejoyable – check out what Isaiah has to say about work in eternity in Isaiah 65:21-23.
Annie Yorty
Thanks for adding that gem of future hope. “They will not work in vain, and their children will not be doomed to misfortune. For they are people blessed by the Lord, and their children, too, will be blessed.”