By Andrew Victor Mawanda Naimanye

Yesterday, May 1st, 2025, the world celebrated Labour Day, also known as International Workers Day, a date that was originally chosen to acknowledge an 8-hour workday strike that began in 1886 and continued throughout the month.

The event, which was intended to be a calm demonstration advocating for an 8-hour workday, began at Haymarket Square in Chicago on May 1st, 1886. It later turned violent when a bomb was detonated by an unknown person, killing both demonstrators and police officers and bringing about the deaths of at least 8 people. The day is also set to honour hardworking individuals who continually sacrifice their time and efforts to build a better socio-economic world. In 1894, American President Grover Cleveland declared Labour Day a national holiday in the USA.

Well, you may be wondering, since we are the salt and light of the earth, what difference does my faith in Christ make for my work?? And how does Christianity blend in with the values of Labour Day?? The Bible is crystal clear: work matters to God. Despite your different profession - whether you’re a teacher, news anchor, bus driver, or whatever the case might be - God is interested in your work.

Christianity emphasizes the improvement of fair, upright, and just treatment to workers, upholding the view that all workers should be treated with respect. In Deuteronomy 24:14-15, it is stated, “Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise, they may cry to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty of sin.” (NIV) It should be obvious to any Christian that Labour Day is biblically appropriate, considering the Lord’s concern for the less fortunate (Luke 6:20-21). Furthermore, Solomon observes that the righteous care for the cause of the poor (Proverbs 29:7), arguing that Christians should stand out and be the voice of the voiceless and defend the rights of those who are in need (Proverbs 31:8-9).

In Genesis, God presents Himself as a worker and expects His creation to work, for He who does not work shall not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). After creating Adam and Eve, God tasked them with cultivating and caring for the earth, encouraging them to “tilt the soil” and “have dominion.” Christians are thus called to be co-workers with God in order to unpack the potential of His creation. The Apostle Paul, for example, encouraged the believers in Colossae to work wholeheartedly as if working for the Lord and not for human masters (Colossians 3:23). Work was designed by God to be a crucial part of human existence (Psalm 104:23). After each creation, He Himself looked at His work and said, “It was good” (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25). Laziness and refusal to work are regarded as immoral and sinful (Titus 3:14).

However, in as much as work is necessary for survival, God established that rest is key for a believer (Genesis 2:1-3). When we do not rest, not only do we sin and tamper with God’s original design for work, but we increase our chances of burning out, which can result in health problems such as cardiac arrest, stroke, etc. God Himself created the heavens, the earth, and all that is in it within six days and rested on the seventh day, commonly known as the Sabbath. Old Testament believers obeyed the Sabbath and balanced between work and rest. Jesus also practiced a labour-rest rhythm (Mark 6:30-32). Under Ugandan law, every employee is entitled to a minimum of 21 days of annual leave.

In his address at the national celebrations at Nakaale Grounds in Nakapiripirit District, Karamoja Sub-Region, the president of the Republic of Uganda, HE Gen. Yoweri Kagita Museveni, outlined the government’s aim of reducing unemployment, arguing that Ugandans must work together with the government programs put in place in order to maximize their output.

“To create wealth, we need affordable electricity, cheaper transport—that’s why we are building the railway—low-cost credit like the Parish Development Model (PDM), and affordable internet, which will help us create more jobs,” Museveni said.

Museveni’s remarks remind us of the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), where Jesus told a story of a man who gave his workers different bags of gold and entrusted them each according to their ability. In this way, Christ presented how He expected His disciples to use their resources productively and effectively.

In conclusion, therefore, as we reflect on the significance of Labour Day, it is worth noting that work is not only a crucial aspect of life but also a fundamental part of Christian theology. As Christians, we believe that our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58), as we are building an eternal treasure in heaven (Matthew 16:20). Jesus Himself labored on our behalf over 2000 years ago, when He lived the life that we live and died the death that we deserved. Due to His fruitful labour, we have been set free from the bondage of sin and have been given a sure and certain hope for eternity.

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The writer is a Media Communications Student at Leeds Beckett University in the UK and is employed at the Social Media Department at Church of Uganda Family TV