Why is hard work a good thing?

Here’s a question. Do you value hard work? Many of us would say yes, though of course a person can abuse work and end up neglecting family and God.

But here’s the difficult question. Why is hard work a good thing?

Consider the parable of the seven pots of gold.

The king’s barber is walking under a tall tree when suddenly he hears a voice. “Do you want to have the 7 pots of gold?” The barber can’t see anyone and suddenly realizes he is talking to a spirit.

“Of course I do!” he exclaims and races home.

Sure enough, there in his house are seven pots of gold. But the seventh pot is only half full. He borrows gold from his friends and even sells his valuables but no matter how much gold he gets and pours into the seventh pot, it magically remains only half full.

He goes to the king and demands a raise in salary. To his surprise, the king gladly doubles his salary. But the barber remains unhappy. No matter how much gold he pours into his last pot, it remains only half full.

The king notices how sad the barber has become and calls him to the castle. “Tell me, my friend, do you have the 7 pots of gold?”

The barber is surprised the king would know and asks him about it. The king replies that he too was offered the pots, but was bothered about the way the spirit asked the question, “Do you want to have the seven pots of gold?”

The king asked if he could have the 7 pots or would he get to spend them and the spirit shrieked and fled. The king’s advice was simple. You can never have enough gold. Give the pots away and be happy. The barber did, and lived happily ever after.

Why do we work hard? If your answer is simply to get more, you will never be able to fill up your last pot.

The Bible tells of just such a man. In the Old Testament the writer of Ecclesiastes tells of a man who worked 24/7 to get wealth for himself and had no one to share it with. He concluded the man’s money never brought him contentment and that it was, and I quote, “a miserable business,” Ecclesiastes 4:7-8.

Why do we work hard? If your answer is to give more, your pots will always be full enough and you will find happiness.

In the New Testament Paul speaks of the value of hard work and says it is so we can help others, Acts 20:32-35.

There is a flow built into God’s universe. Good things are meant to come into our lives so that we can enjoy them and share them with others. When the rewards of hard work are shared, they are doubled, not halved. Spend your money on relationships and memories and helping others and not on stuff if you want to be happy. The seventh pot can never be filled.

Rick Cupp is the minister at the Kenai Fellowship Church.

More in Life

Creamy pasta is served with smoked salmon and Parmesan. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
A dish for the mourning

Smoked salmon fettuccine served in a time of grief.

Artwork by Anastasia Clyde is seen as part of the inaugural exhibition of “Spirit of Soldotna: Showcasing Student Art” in Soldotna City Hall on Wednesday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna opens student art showcase in city hall

The ongoing exhibition is a collaboration between Soldotna and the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and Kenai Peninsula College.

tease
Off the shelf: Paradise versus privilege

“The Garden Against Time” is part of the Homer Public Library’s 2025 Lit Lineup.

Poopdeck Street, in Homer, became a reality in 1996, honoring Clarence Hiram “Poopdeck” Platt. (Clark Fair photo)
Poopdeck: Nearly a century of adventure — Part 1

Clarence Hiram Platt — who preferred to have people call him Poopdeck — may have been slowing down, but he rarely stopped moving.

File
Minister’s Message: Is it worth the risk?

What good is momentary fame, wealth, or admiration if it ultimately costs us what matters most — our soul?

The Ridgeway Rounders perform during Frozen RiverFest on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
10th Frozen RiverFest set for Saturday

The event will feature 19 breweries.

The Middle School Battle of the Books Team from Homer Connections, who won the district competition in February, stand for a photo. (Provided by Districtwide Librarian Julie Gottfried)
District Battle of the Books teams ready for state competition

Battle of the Books is an annual celebration of reading and teamwork.

File
Minister’s Message: Living in the community of faith

Many of us tend to stay within our own denomination for purposes of what we consider to be purity of doctrine.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Artwork by Susan Nabholz, Charlotte Coots and Chelline Larsen is displayed as part of “Fiber” at the Kenai Art Center on Wednesday.
Focus on fiber

Kenai Art Center show transforms threads to art

Most Read