Work: A Gift of God
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24
The Apostle Paul wrote these God-inspired words to members of the church at Colosse who were slaves – either as a result of war or voluntarily (a bond-servant to work off some debt). But what Scripture here says applies to all believers involved in any kind of work, for no matter what your station in life, you are responsible to the One who died to make you His own.
In Genesis 29:20 we’re told, “Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.” The debt (dowry) Jacob owed was the result of a trick of Uncle Laban's. While Jacob worked those 7 years, his heart was not filled with hatred for Laban, but love for Rachel. Some compare Jacob’s love to that of Christ’s for the Church. But Christ worked for more than 7 years and then died for us. Maybe a better comparison would be our working for Christ in every task of life always remembering, “we love Him because He first loved us.”(I John 4:19)
Through the words of Paul, Jesus does even more to encourage us to find joy and purpose in everything we do. He reminds us of the eternal inheritance that is ours in Christ. Do we consider some work we’re doing as commonplace or mundane? Can’t be. Our work is part of our thanksgiving to the Lord who’s saved us. You aren’t paid nearly what your job is worth? Your Savior has credited your account in heaven (your inheritance!) with riches beyond counting.
Let us commit to working heartily for the Lord, as He here encourages us to, and we will find a spirit of joy filling all we do. And our endeavors will reach a level of excellence impossible when merely working for oneself, for money, or to please other people.
Jesus, in Your name begun
Be the day’s endeavor;
Grant that it may well be done
To Your praise forever.
Lutheran Service Book 869:4