“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. “Colossians 3:23-24
As Christians, we are called to honor God in all aspects of our lives, including our work. The Bible has much to say about the importance of work and the way we approach it. In fact, the concept of work is woven throughout the entire narrative of Scripture.
God Himself is depicted as a worker, creating the heavens and the earth in six days and then resting on the seventh day (Genesis 1:1-2:3). And when God created Adam and Eve, He gave them a job to do – to take care of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15).
Throughout the Old Testament, we see many examples of hardworking men and women who used their skills and talents to provide for themselves and their families. Joseph, for example, worked as a slave and then as a servant in Potiphar’s house before eventually becoming second-in-command of all Egypt (Genesis 39-41). And King Solomon, known for his wisdom, was also a prolific builder and entrepreneur (1 Kings 5-7).
In the New Testament, we see the apostle Paul working as a tent maker to support himself while he preached the gospel (Acts 18:3). And Jesus Himself worked as a carpenter before beginning His ministry (Mark 6:3).
So, what does all of this tell us about the importance of work? First and foremost, it reminds us that work is a good thing. God created us to be productive and to use our skills and talents to contribute to society. When we work hard and do our jobs well, we are fulfilling God’s design for us.
But work is not just about making money or achieving success. As Christians, we are called to view our work as a way of serving God and loving our neighbors. In Colossians 3:23-24, Paul writes, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
When we approach our work with this mindset, we can find fulfillment and purpose in even the most mundane tasks. Whether we are cleaning toilets, teaching children, or running a multi-million dollar corporation, we can do it all as unto the Lord, knowing that our work has eternal significance.
Of course, this is easier said than done. The reality is that work can be difficult and frustrating at times. We may face difficult bosses, unreasonable deadlines, and uncooperative co-workers. But even in these challenging situations, we can choose to honor God through our attitudes and actions. We can choose to work with integrity, to treat others with kindness and respect, and to seek opportunities to serve those around us.
In conclusion, as Christians, we have a unique opportunity to honor God through our work. We can view our jobs not as a necessary evil, but as a way of fulfilling God’s call on our lives. Whether we are working in ministry or in a secular job, we can use our skills and talents to serve others and to bring glory to God. So let us work diligently and with all our hearts, knowing that in doing so, we are serving the Lord Christ.
God bless you.