Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. – Colossians 3:23-24 NLT
Building a Strong Work Ethic
I got my first job when I was 17 years old, as part of the maintenance team at my church. I spent much of my time in that role setting up and tearing down for services and events, ensuring supplies were ready for our weekend and mid-week programs, picking up trash, and cleaning up our campus inside and out. You’d be surprised by the messes people leave behind at a church!
I learned a lot from that first job, like how important it is to do even the smallest tasks with excellence, how all roles—including the ones that no one else wants to do—are important to the team, and how God sees the work we do even when no one else does. He rewards our work in ways we don’t always expect. My first job wasn’t the most glamorous, but it showed me the importance of hard work, and how faithfulness in small things can pave the way to bigger things.
The average person will spend almost one-third of his or her adult life working in some capacity. Since work is such a big part of our lives, it’s important to learn how to thrive in our workplace roles.
A Biblical View of Work
In Colossians 3:23-24, the apostle Paul instructs believers on how they should approach their work. Paul writes that we should serve those we work for as if we’re serving Christ. When we choose to give our best in this way, whether at home, in the workplace, or anywhere else, the Lord will give us an inheritance as our reward, because the One we’re really working for is Him.
The key to succeeding in our work is to serve at work like we're serving Jesus directly.
What does it look like for us to work for the Lord rather than for people?
It means we come to work each day with a good attitude, thankful for the blessings in our current job—whether it’s our dream job or not. We strive to be faithful with what has been entrusted to us. We work hard and give our best, not our leftovers. We jump energetically into work rather than avoiding it or holding back. We use the skills and gifts we’ve been given, even (and especially!) when they're different from those that have been given to others. We don’t compare ourselves to our co-workers; instead, we find ways to help others on our team succeed in their roles.
Lessons to Apply in the Workplace
Taking this approach at work won’t always be easy. It also won’t guarantee you’ll get a promotion by the end of the week (or at all). But choosing to approach your work in this way glorifies God, and eventually, others will notice an excellent job well done. Committing to honoring Christ in all areas of your life paves the way for more satisfaction in your current career season.
Dig Deeper
1. What challenges are you experiencing at work that make it difficult to work for the Lord rather than for people?
2. Do you know someone who's serving God in the way Paul talks about in Colossians 3:23-24? What qualities about them do you admire? What is one way you can follow their example this week?
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