A strong work ethic is essential, as idleness breeds sin and disorder. God Himself is portrayed as working from the very beginning in Genesis 1, actively engaging in creation and not merely observing. Jesus emphasized this in John 5:17, stating that He and the Father are always working, involved in Their purpose and plan. This divine example underscores the importance of labor and responsibility. Historically, caring for the indigent was a family duty, not a government operation, reinforcing the value of personal effort and community support. Recent laws in some states requiring work for food stamp recipients have led to a significant drop in the number of people receiving assistance, suggesting that many may avoid work due to laziness. This indicates a character issue among some who exploit generosity, using welfare to fund non-essential luxuries rather than necessities.

A strong work ethic is essential for both men and women, as exemplified by the virtuous wife in Proverbs 31, who applies herself diligently and fears God. Her husband is also portrayed as a hard worker and a wise man, demonstrating that mental, spiritual, and physical effort are necessary for gain. Work is not merely a task but a means of strengthening oneself, as even exercise requires effort. The reality of work reveals disparities, such as men working more hours and taking on less desirable, higher-paying jobs, often at great personal risk, with men accounting for 93 percent of workplace deaths despite being only 54 percent of the workforce. This underscores the necessity and burden of men's labor for the survival of mankind. God's judgment on Adam introduced toil into work, cursing the ground to produce thorns and thistles, making survival a real chore. Adam was condemned to live by the sweat of his brow, transforming work from pleasure to pain and weariness. Yet, despite the curse, the land yields fruit in its season with hard work, showing that labor, though arduous, remains productive under God's provision of rain and snow. Jacob's example further illustrates a godly work ethic. He worked hard for his employer, Laban, without seeking personal wealth, even when cheated and kept in poverty for fourteen years. Faithful to his trust, Jacob did not scheme for self-aggrandizement or complain about his state, instead devoting himself conscientiously to Laban's work with patient endurance. His prosperity came not from worldly tactics but from working for God, trusting Him for protection and provision. Jacob's principles include not intentionally seeking wealth, working hard for God, family, and employer, and relying on God for needs and prosperity. In the Millennium, work will remain central, characterized by ceaseless human activity across various industries, including agrarian tasks and architectural projects. People will plant, harvest, build highways, and engage in commerce, enjoying the fruits of their labor in safety and security. This vision portrays work as productive and fulfilling, a vital part of life even in a restored world. Men, in particular, bear a dual responsibility to lead in their families and engage in work that interfaces with the marketplace or public square. They are encouraged to diligence and excellence, yet to be content in whatever capacity God places them, even in subservience. The call to be strong, as seen in encouragements to leaders and workers throughout history, underpins the work ethic, grounded in the assurance of God's presence and strength to overcome discouragement and continue laboring faithfully. Ultimately, mankind is created to glorify God through work, reflecting His image by having dominion over creation and performing His will. Work is a sanctified privilege, a means to worship and serve Him, demonstrating faithfulness through diligent effort and trust in His provision.

The desire for magic often stems from a longing for immediate and effortless results, a way to bypass the necessity of hard work. People crave the power to achieve their desires with a mere snap of the fingers or a flourish of a wand, seeking instant gratification without paying the price. This pursuit of something for nothing contrasts sharply with the reality of accomplishment, which demands effort and perseverance. In contrast, God is presented as a working God, whose first depiction in Scripture is one of intensive labor during creation. He worked diligently for six days and rested on the seventh, setting a pattern for humanity to follow. This divine example establishes a foundation for a biblical work ethic, emphasizing that nothing good is produced without effort, often requiring hard work. God expects His people to be working people, to plan, create, build, and maintain, just as He does, though on a lesser scale due to human limitations. God's work is not a matter of fiat or instant results but a long, involved process. His efforts, such as bringing about salvation, are depicted as laborious and extended over time, akin to the gradual process of rain nurturing the earth to produce a crop. Even when God appears inactive, He is actively working out His plans, demonstrating a commitment to thorough and sustained effort. Jesus Christ, during His ministry, exemplified this work ethic by tirelessly preaching, teaching, healing, and casting out demons, often to the point of exhaustion. His death was not an easy escape but a culmination of immense physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual effort, pouring out His soul to cover human sins. The grace and forgiveness offered through His sacrifice are not free but the result of tremendous work by both Him and the Father, planned and executed over vast spans of time. Humanity, originally tasked with tending and keeping the Garden of Eden, was meant to work as part of God's design. However, sin transformed this work into lifelong drudgery, making it painful and all-encompassing, often leading to a hatred of labor. Unlike God, who finds joy and satisfaction in His work, humans struggle under the burden sin imposes, toiling until collapse. The response to God's and Christ's great work on humanity's behalf is clear: seek God, focus on spiritual matters, and diligently work to remove sin from one's life. There is no shortcut or magic formula; overcoming and sanctification require persistent, personal effort following the example set by a working God.

Richard Ritenbaugh acknowledges that young people display a proclivity to accept socialism, oblivious to the horrendous damage socialist experiments have brought to the world. Politicians of the ilk of Bernie Sanders have fomented hatred toward capitalism by comparing it to an imaginary utopia. Economist Walter Williams insists that the free market, with all its warts, is far superior to collectivism at protecting people from poverty. Poverty is not usually an economic issue but stems from ethical and moral deficits. Socialism simply transfers wealth to the leaders of a government, leaving most of the citizenry in greater poverty. Williams, in his article, "Do These Four Things to Avoid Poverty," suggests that a young person, to keep his nose above poverty or failure, needs to (1.) complete high school, (2.) get a job, (3.) get married before having children, and (4.) be a law-abiding citizen. Poverty is self-caused—not the result of society, bad laws or systemic bigotry. Young people who drop out of school, take drugs, and fornicate set themselves up for failure. The law is no problem for those who obey it, but it will break those who break it, making it difficult to rebound.