“But the little red hen said, all by myself I planted the wheat, I tended the wheat, I cut the wheat, I took the wheat to the mill to be ground into flour. It's all by myself I gathered the sticks, I built the fire, I mixed the cake. And all by myself, I am going to eat it. And so she did, to the very last crumb.” – The Little Red Hen
It’s hard not to notice the increasing number of help-wanted signs popping up on the doors of businesses across the country, not to mention the poor level of customer service resulting from understaffing. Yet despite a labor shortage, and an economy slowing as a result of continuing inflation, over eighty percent of small businesses expect to hire more staff over the coming year. Unfortunately, a lack of qualified candidates is making it difficult to obtain suitable help or pay the high wages that a tight labor market demands. And as businesses work to return to pre-COVID growth, some federal and state programs continue to provide enhanced benefits to the point that workers are making more money staying at home, than they do at work. Thus, making it harder to fill much-needed positions.
Add to that, a growing dependence on the government to support every aspect of life from healthcare, education, housing, income, retirement, and childcare. Most recently, President Biden unsuccessfully attempted to forgive student loan debt for graduate and bachelor’s degree holders by unilaterally canceling contracts. A mockery that would have merely transferred their voluntary debt to people who never went to college or who already repaid their own loans. This shift to government dependence results when money is simply taken from the politically unconnected and given to special interests. The outcome is a troubling shift from personal responsibility to a non-stop pursuit of government largesse.
This quest for government grift reached the point of no return when in 2012 the number of households receiving more in transfer payments than they paid in taxes surpassed the fifty percent threshold. This unfortunate tipping point was also breached for children residing in households with means-tested benefits. The new entitlement class created by this addiction to government is demanding not only stop-gap coverage to fill a temporary need but increasingly to cover all obligations. Even Medicare recipients have succumbed to the trap, as benefits now cost more than their premiums cover, with excess spending paid out of the general fund.
In Paul Galdone’s 2001 version of the classic folk tale, “The Little Red Hen”, Galdone retells the cautionary story of idleness and its ill effects. This popular American fable, first told in 1874, has survived the test of time in teaching young children, ages 4-8 about the virtue of industry and individual initiative. Like a 1950s housewife, the little red hen did all the housework, while the other pets lounged refusing to lift a hand to help. Then, from a few grains of wheat, the little red hen produced flour to make a cake. When the treat was ready to eat, those who failed to help in the production did not eat. This endearing story illustrates the cause and effect of work and leisure, and how often one reaps what one has sown.
The Bible affirms this same sentiment in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 when the Apostle Paul wrote: "If anyone isn't willing to work, he should not eat." Careful to separate those who can’t work, from those who won’t, Paul chastised the laziness of the busybody for neglecting their duties. While few believe this lesson should be taken literally, most would hope that the idle would at least think that the consequences of their actions might be detrimental. The moral of the parable is to establish a mindset of action and industry and to use one’s God-given gifts to their full potential.
While sloth and laziness lead to ruin, diligence brings abundance not only for oneself but for the betterment of the community. By striving to earn our own keep and to avoid burdening society, we must reserve resources for those truly in need. It is said that God loves a cheerful giver. But in order to help others, we must first establish ourselves financially. Then when help is needed, it is best handled first by family, then by the church, and finally, by the community.
“The harder I work, the luckier I get”, a quote attributed to film producer, Samuel Goldwyn, focuses on the two elements often essential in achieving success. Our efforts are often rewarded when we first persist in our work and then feel fortunate for the success that is sure to follow. Yet, we are now seeing what happens when industry is replaced with a growing dependence on the government and a lagging work ethic that affects the community's overall wealth. The little red hen was right to consume the reward for her own hard work. And in so doing, help others to realize the errors of their ways.
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