When employment circumstances are not ideal, it may be easy to forget God truly sees earnest efforts and that Bible verses promise that labor will be rewarded. Following are some uplifting and encouraging Bible verses in observation of 2016 Labor Day weekend.

Exodus 20:8-10 -- Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates.

Colossians 3:23 -- Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Deuteronomy 15:10 -- Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.

Psalm 128:2 -- You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!

Ecclesiastes 3:22 -- So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is our lot in life. And no one can bring us back to see what happens after we die.

John 6:27 -- Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.

1 Corinthians 4:12 -- ...and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure.

Ephesians 4:28 -- Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 -- ...and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life:  You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 -- For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule:  "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat."

Hebrews 6:10 -- God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

1 Timothy 4:10 -- That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.