Colossians 3:23
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
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“Whatsoever you do.” What sort of things would be included in that “whatsoever”? In the previous five verses Paul references four areas of our lives where we are to work “heartily as to the Lord and not unto men” – in our role as a wife or husband (vs 18,19), children and parents (vs 20, 21) and in our role as employees (vs 22).
How would my marriage be different if “whatsoever I did” I did for the Lord and not for my spouse? Would I respond differently if I were doing it for the Lord, not for my wife or not just to keep peace? Would I be more loving, understanding, go the extra mile, if I were doing it “heartily” – with all my heart?
What about parenting? If I saw myself parenting for the Lord and not “unto men” would I be as quick to criticize or lose my patience? If I were put in charge of His children, instead of mine, for an hour or two, how would I treat them? In reality, that is the situation. My children are His children that he has loaned me to care for and train for Him.
What about my work? Do I do it for the boss, or for the paycheck or for the pride I feel in a job well done? Or, do I do my job with all my heart because I am doing it for the Lord and not just for men?
In every area of my life, whatsoever I do, am I merely working for the approval, the acceptance, the recognition, the fleeting and temporary rewards of men or am I “serving the Lord Christ”. If I am working for man then it is the rewards of men I will receive. If I am working for Him then the reward I will receive will be that of the inheritance of a son.
Lord, it is too easy to work for people (those I can see) and forget that I have been called to work for you (the invisible God). Remind me that whatever I do, big task or seemingly insignificant, I am working for You. Help me do it with all my heart – a heart of joy and gratitude that I get to serve You in this place, in this way.
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1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.