Is work part of the original curse in the Garden of Eden? Most people think so. To support their position, they point to God’s pronouncement to Adam:

“Cursed is the ground because of you;
through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life.
It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground,
since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return”
(Genesis 3:17-19 NIV).

But while the curse made work more difficult, work itself was always part of God’s original plan for humanity:

“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it
and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15 NIV).

As we celebrate Labor Day today, let’s remember that children form their opinions about work by watching and listening to the adults around them. Are we consistent in our words and behavior when it comes to work and responsibility?

Do we complain about our work?

Try to cut corners?

Shirk work altogether?

As in all areas of life, children learn what they see and imitate it. So how can we encourage responsibility in our children and grandchildren?

Here are a few practical suggestions:

• Start with age-appropriate chores for even young children.
• To promote a sense of fairness, ensure every family member – including adults – have assigned chores.
• Provide children with a sense of autonomy by allowing them to choose chores from a larger list.
• Establish rewards (e.g. praise, payments, prizes, etc.)
• Don’t nag. Allow the consequences of uncompleted chores speak for themselves.
• Make chores fun by including music, sports themes, or competition.

A quick search on Pinterest yields a variety of chore charts for kids.
If your children enjoy using technology, for a small fee smartphone apps can help eliminate the hassle of assigning and monitoring chores.

When God assigned work to Adam and Eve, it was a privilege, not a punishment. Let’s help our children grow into adults who appreciate this privilege today.

How do you teach your children or grandchildren to complete their chores?