By Ray Lynch
Recently, I read where more Americans went on Social Security disability (85,000) than got jobs (80,000) in June of this year. This statistic points out a troubling trend: A growing number of people dropping out of the workplace and accepting life on a fixed income.
Is this what God wants for us? God is not caught off guard by our disabilities. In His debate with Moses about returning to Egypt God said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord.” (Exo. 4:11, NASB) God ended the discussion by telling Moses that He would be with him, and that he needed to get to work on His plan.
God instituted work after creating the first man, Adam. Genesis 2:15 tells us that, “The LORD God put the man in the Garden of Eden to take care of it and to look after it.” (CEV) God did this for our benefit. Work is good. Work helps fill our heartfelt needs for security and significance. It builds godly character and provides a way for God to bless us.
However, the disability option has been made easy resulting in more Americans turning to a life of dependency on the government rather than God. The Apostle Paul wrote that he “had the right not to work” as a missionary for God, but instead did work, because he “wanted to set an example” for the Christians in Thessalonica (2 Thess. 3:9). During Paul’s time at Thessalonica he was thought to have had health issues, but he overcame these issues, because he could do all things through Christ who gave him the strength to do so.
As Christians we should not quickly give in to our disabilities, but should prayerfully seek God’s plan and strength. He may want to move you into a new profession, encourage the use of underutilized talents His has given you, or just to have you trust Him to provide what you need to do a job.
As for those of you who are blessed with good health and jobs, give generously to those less fortunate and thank God continuously.
