Colossians 3

A Biblical Work Ethic

Scripture

Colossians 3:23-24

²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, ²⁴ since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Observation – What does it say?

“Whatever you do.” Whether it was slaves working for their master or an employee working for their boss, Paul exhorts them to work with all their heart. The word since means he is following that exhortation with some rationale to back it up. Why work with all their hearts? Because they’re really serving Jesus and he has an eternal reward for their labor.

Understanding - What does it mean?

Who are you working for?

Are you just trying to please your boss so you can have good job security, a steady paycheck and no drama at work? Or are you trying to please God when you're working? When you work with all your heart as though its for God, the reward is much greater than any paycheck!

One of the phrases that stood out to me the most was the phrase, Whatever you do. It doesn’t matter if you are a financial planner, a teacher, a plumber, a stay at home mom (or dad), or you answer phones. It doesn’t matter if your boss is awesome or a jerk. It doesn’t even matter if you like your job! Whatever you do, do it with all your heart!

With all your heart. It’s the call to go beyond just the outward acts and going through the motions and choosing to work with all your heart, love and passion.

Consider your job. Are you working with all your heart? And doing it for God?

Consider you area(s) of ministry. Are you serving with all your heart? Are you doing it for God or has it become about something else?

Consider your family. Are you serving them with all your heart? Are you doing it just because you love them or for your kindness to be noticed by them or because you know it pleases God?

Whatever you do, do it for God and with all your heart! Even when no one else is around, God sees and will reward us for what we’ve done.

Life Application

What have I been doing halfheartedly?
What have I been doing for the wrong audience?

In everything I do today tell God with a happy heart (now I really sound like a parent), "I'm doing this for you. I love you."

Lord, forgive me for not working with all my heart. Forgive me for having a motive other than pleasing you. Forgive me for serving and doing the right things to be noticed or praised by others instead of you. Help me to be aware of your eye on me today, and to work with all my heart for you and you alone. Amen.