In reference to my previous post on work and play, this morning I went to hear Dr. Wayne Grudem teach a lecture series about "50 factors within nations that lead to sustained economic growth or continual poverty." Point #15 dealt with the idea of work. He suggests that in nations with sustained economic growth "honor is given to productive work. The 'ideal' life is thought to be a life of joyful productivity that benefits both oneself and others." By contrast, in nations with cycles of sustained poverty "work is viewed as a necessary evil....The 'ideal' life is thought to be a life of ease, simply enjoying oneself and one's friends, never having to work again at a productive job." Is that not the direction that our very own culture is heading? Don't most people today want to get the most money for the least amount of work? We no longer hold to the idea that our work is making a valuable contribution to society. We no longer work as "unto the Lord." I fear this is dangerous water into which we're treading where our culture work ethic is concerned.