New Hope’s second missions project was to build a school for African nationals among the Kwa-Zulu people in South Africa. They relayed an interesting story from these people. In the 1970s or 1980s the government dug irrigation ditches on both sides of a river. This allowed the rich land to be farmed.

The Christian Zulus on one side of the river produced rich crops and prospered. The traditional animist worshipers on the other side continued to live in abject poverty, producing almost nothing on the same kind of soil. Why?

The Christians believed they were responsible before God to work hard and live soberly. Their pagan neighbors, on the other hand, viewed work as the women’s responsibility, while the men spent their time drinking and fighting.

Paul advised the Ephesians church, “Let him labor, working with his hands what is good” (Ephesians 4:28). We have a choice to work and prosper, or play stay poor. Do something constructive!

Tags: labor, missions, work