Vatter Values: Craftsmanship

Man running a handheld circular saw

When we live in a world full of passivity, scams, and get-rich-quick schemes, what does it mean to truly value the work we create? When I first went to public school, I started to become concerned with the work ethic of my peers. Many cheated, some didn’t do their work at all and most sought to do as little work as possible no matter the cost. If this is the future of America’s workforce, I thought, what does that mean for our nation? Fortunately, 300 high school students don’t always accurately reflect the average American. There are many dedicated, hardworking men and women who love their work that love the work they do and do it to the best of their ability to love and serve those around them.

The reason we value craftsmanship highly is that we are building homes, not just buildings. Laziness means more than a poorly done job—it means a family who suffers the consequences. A leaky roof and a poor foundation could make a family lose everything they have. Our homes are our epicenter: they are where we do life with those we love and invite others to join. Designing and renovating a good building doesn’t just change the look of a property; it redefines the way someone lives their life. As good stewards of the world God has given us, we value things getting done well, as it fulfills the very first command God has given us, to fill and subdue the earth—to bring order to it. It also carries out the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself: no one wants poor-quality craftsmanship when it negatively affects them! 

“Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind.” - Johannes Brahms.