Quintillian, a Roman rhetorician who lived in the first century, A. D., had much to say about hands: “Other body parts assist the speaker but hands speak themselves. By them we ask, promise, invoke, dismiss, threaten, entreat, deprecate. By them we express fear, joy grief, our doubts, assent or penitence; we show moderation or profusion, and mark number and time”.
Hands! What marvelous accessories out there at the ends of our arms. Bones, arranged with joints, tendons, muscle, tissue, nerves, a network of vascular pipelines and appendages with nails so we may scratch. All of these, and more, covered with skin and enhanced with perfect coordination.
Hands! And what do we do with these marvelous inherent parts of human anatomy? Well, we wash them clean, anoint them with lotion, manicure the nails, ring the fingers, adorn our clothing, tie our shoes, eat our food, operate remote controls and cell phones, and hundreds of other things to serve ourselves – God intended that we use them this way, so keep on using them.
Hands! Two of them, given to each of us, that we may use them to the glory of the Giver. They are given for dual purposes; self-service, and to serve others. Solomon’s description of a worthy woman praises her because she “works with her hands in delight” (Proverbs 31:13). Nestled among other worthy character traits, these are assigned to her hands: “She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her palms grasp the spindle. She extends her hands to the poor and she stretches out her hands to the needy” (verses 19, 20). Then: “Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her” (verse 28). Finally: “Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates” (verse 31). Paul extols the virtue of honorable labor with our hands in dual purpose: “Let him who steals steal no longer; but rather let him labor, performing with his own hands what is good, in order that he may have something to share with him who has need” (Ephesians 4:28).
Hands! Look at your two hands. Make a fist – then straighten the fingers. Now, look again to see these marvelous instruments that are gifts to be used honorably, and to God’s glory. At the same time, why not sing some good old favorite hymns – like: “Hand in Hand We Walk Each Day”, or “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand”, and, “Take My Hand, Precious Lord, Lead Me Home”. With this exercise completed, you are ready to adopt the heavenly message for the acceptable earthly work ethic – “Whatever you hand finds to do, verily do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or wisdom in Sheol where you are going” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
Now, you take it from there!
