Who Do You Work For

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

(Colossians 3:23-24)

Meditation

Before I was saved, I used to work very hard but I wasn’t doing it for God’s glory. I was doing my best for more money, or to make myself look good, or become invaluable to my employer. I thought my skills came from my own scholarship and labors. I would brag at having such a strong work record I seldom ever had to go to a job interview. I would be hired on my resume alone. I didn’t give credit to the Lord for my abilities. Had Jesus not saved me, my only reward for all that hard work and time away from family would have been money.

Jesus gives us unsurpassed joy and since we spend so much of our time in the workplace, we can have the most impact on those who have no hope. It doesn’t matter if I clean restrooms, sit at a desk tapping away at a computer or I’m the boss sitting in that corner office, I’m supposed to do my best work, as if it’s for the Lord. If I were a missionary in a foreign land, everything I did would be for the Lord. Well, in reality, I am a missionary right here in my native land. So, everything I do should also be for the Lord. How do I go about doing that? I will always be the best and hardest worker and always giving the glory to God.

Why does God care if I do my best at a secular job, even when no one else cares? As a follower of Christ, I am his light and his example to a dark, unbelieving and uncaring world. If I behave like they do, how do I show them there’s a better way? If I spend more time at the water cooler than actually working how am I different than an unbeliever? If I’m always complaining about everything and everybody, how am I any different than the atheist at the next workstation?

Many times, no one will even know I have done anything, but the Lord knows. Did I do my best on my job or did I cut corners to save time and energy. Even if no one else ever acknowledges my labors, I should put forth my best effort. The Lord knows and it’s him I must strive to please. After all, my earthly employer only rewards me with a paycheck for my labor. The Lord Jesus Christ will reward me with an inheritance of eternity with him in heaven. The best reward would be if someone turned to Christ because of my actions.

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, everything we have on this earth was given to us by you. Everything, from the food we eat to our skills at making a living, comes directly from you. If you didn’t give it to us, we wouldn’t have it. We love you, Father, and want only to be a pleasing sacrifice in your eyes. Help us to remember that no matter what we’re doing, whether someone is watching or not, we should do it for your glory. Not to please other people, but to please you, Lord. Please help us to resist the need for earthly recognition. Help us to think first of helping people to see you through our lives of service to you. Whether we’re the lowest person on the roster or the highest, help us to do our work as if Jesus’ name were listed at the top. We pray that our efforts to do our best, and to give you the glory, will entice an unbeliever to turn their life over to you. Give us a spirit of gratitude for the work we’re able to do and help us to always be mindful of who the real boss is. In Jesus’ name. Amen!