President Grover Cleveland called labor “The capital of our workingmen.” We live in a critical day when millions do not have a job. Unemployment continues to climb higher. At some job fairs thousands show up to compete for hundreds of jobs. It is extremely discouraging when a person who wants to work cannot find a job.
Someone suggested, “If you do not have a job, then your job is to find one.” Easy said. Difficult to do. In 1991, Chuck Colson and Jack Eckerd, two men acquainted with work and helping others find jobs, cooperatively wrote a book for Word Publishing that they titled, Why America Doesn’t Work. It dealt with this statement, “How the decline of the work ethic is hurting your family and future – and what you can do.”
Here are some reasons why people are not working.
1. There are no jobs available for which they are qualified.
2. You must be qualified to do the jobs that may be available where you live.
3. Some are ill, crippled and not physically, mentally or emotionally able to work.
4. Millions are allergic to work. Their grandparents, parents, siblings and other family members have been on some kind of welfare for many years and apparently have no intention of working. They will avoid work as long as possible.
5. In recent weeks, from various sources, I have heard it said that we live in the midst of an “entitlement generation.” Millions somehow believe that they are entitled to have what millions of others work to obtain.
6. We all may be entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but not to a perpetual “free ride” at the expense of those who choose to work. St. Paul had a message for every generation, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
Nobody wants to deny food to those who cannot work. It is our responsibility to care for them. Those who are forever lazy and will not even pick up a peace of paper as a job, even though they are able, may be encouraged to work a little if they become hungry enough. I tell my wife, Kitty, “If I do not eat, it is because I am not hungry. She is my all-time favorite cook. Able-bodied people will usually work for food and other necessities when they become hungry enough.
Colson and Eckerd quote Lance Morrow as saying: “As American productivity, once the exuberant engine of national wealth, has dipped to an embarrassingly uncompetitive low, Americans have shaken their heads: The country’s old work ethic is dead.” We can hope it will be resurrected soon.
Helen Keller, one of the greatest of all Americans, said, “The world is moved not only by the mighty shoves of the heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.”
Let us all join together in doing all we can to help provide a productive job for others. A job where they can work and produce for themselves and their family. Let our county, state and national leaders know that we expect them to remove the artificial barriers that rob others of the opportunity to work. Jobs are created at the ballot box.
I have noticed: Poor people do not hire other people. Be grateful for those who can employ others. I certainly am as I continue to work long hours each day.
Bill Ellis
| Bill Ellis is a syndicated columnist, and convention and conference speaker on every continent. He is the writer of more than 2,000 newspaper and magazine columns, articles and contributions to books. He is also a widely known motivational speaker and pulpit guest who utilizes enjoyment of life and just plain fun and laughter while speaking to high school, university and professional sports teams as well as to business and professional groups of all kinds. His keen understanding of human problems makes him a favorite speaker for youth, parent, and senior adult meetings. He is accompanied by Kitty, his wife, favorite singer, editor and publisher. For information on becoming a subscriber to the Ellis Column for your newspaper or magazine, you may contact him at: BILL ELLIS, P.O.Box 345, Scott Depot, WV 25560 or by calling: 304-757-6089. |  |
** You may republish this story with proper attribution.
No comments:
Post a Comment