Love Where You Live

Love Where You Work

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 (ESV)

The late Fred Rogers, creator, and host of the much-loved children’s television program Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood had a special understanding of his ministry and his work. His widow, Joanne, told a journalist: “I always remind people that he was an ordained Presbyterian minister and this was his ministry. His work was his ministry, and he loved his work; my, did he love his work. That’s what makes me sad about losing him. Because I think he would have worked for a long time more if he could have, yet he accepted that with all of his heart and was ready to go to heaven.”

You may feel that work is secular, but view leading a Bible study as spiritual. The Bible draws no such distinction, however. The Apostle Paul reminded the church at Colossae that “whatever” they were working at was an opportunity to be used by God. We are made in God’s image and God is a worker. God calls us to work and to be co-laborers with Him. The fact that God calls what he does work and calls it good means that work must be significant, that it must have intrinsic value.

Reflection

What is something Pastor Jim shared about loving work that changed your perspective?

 Praise/Prayer

Thank God for providing a place for you to work. Ask God to give you His perspective on your work assignment for now.

How You Should Work

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 (ESV)

Fred, a clerk in a retail store, was rude to the customers and lazy. On several occasions, his boss was about to fire him. But he didn’t follow through because of his concern for Fred’s wife and children, who would suffer from his dismissal. One day a regular customer stopped in and noticed that Fred wasn’t there. He asked the manager about him and was told that he had taken another job. The customer asked, “Are you planning to replace him?” The manager replied, “No, it isn’t necessary. Fred didn’t leave a vacancy.” Fred’s work was of such poor quality that the business was better off without him. That should never be true of any employee, especially a Christian.

Paul told the early church they should work “heartily.” “Heartily” implies that Christian endeavor ought to be characterized by enthusiasm, confidence, and diligence not found in the attitude of the unsaved. Confidential surveys reveal that the average American worker goofs off 7 hrs per week–a de facto 4-day week. The same survey reveals that one-half of all American workers admit to chronic malingering (calling in sick when they’re not), and that only one out of four give their best effort at work. God wants His children as good and honest workers.

Reflection

Richard De Haan says, “One good way to test the value of your work is to ask yourself this question: If I left my job, would it create a vacancy?” Ask yourself that question.

Praise/Prayer

Ask God to give you the energy you need to work hard and enthusiastically at the assignment He has given you.

Who 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 (ESV)

Warren Wiersbe told this story, “I have a friend who, years ago, was fired from his job for working too hard. He was earning money to go to college, and he wanted to give the employer a good day’s work each day. The trouble was, his zeal was showing up the laziness of some of the other employees—and they started fighting back. One of them falsely accused my friend of something, and he was fired. He lost his job but he kept his character, and the Lord rewarded him.” (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor)

The Apostle Paul told the church in Colossians 3:23 that they were working for God and not for men. They were not to work as people-pleasers but as God pleasers. William Barclay wrote, “Every single piece of work the Christian produces must be good enough to show to God.” It’s the idea of a child showing their earthly father a completed project they wanted him to be proud of.

Reflection

If we work for God, how should that affect our effort, integrity, and attitude at work?

Praise/Prayer

Thank God for allowing you to be a part of His workforce. Ask God to help you be a God-pleaser and not a man-pleaser.

What 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 (ESV)

Some people work for money. They are the living embodiment of the bumper sticker that reads: I owe, I owe, so off to work I go. We need jobs because we need money. We want to make our lives and our families more comfortable. We want to provide the necessities of life. That is a valid reason. But Paul reminds us that we work for bigger rewards that last for eternity.

When we work for ourselves or for others, we have nothing beyond a paycheck and the material goods it can buy. These cannot ultimately satisfy. But for believers the thoughts of standing one day before Jesus and hearing him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!’” (Matt. 25:23). That will be far greater than any Oscar, Pulitzer, Nobel, or Grammy prize that the world offers.

Reflection

One commentator said, “Daily work done for God takes on eternal value.” How can you see your current job producing eternal rewards?

 Praise/Prayer

Praise God for His promise to reward those things you do for His glory.

Serve

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 (ESV)

John Kenneth Galbraith, in his autobiography, A Life in Our Times, illustrates the devotion of Emily Gloria Wilson, his family’s housekeeper: It had been a wearying day, and I asked Emily to hold all telephone calls while I had a nap. Shortly thereafter the phone rang. Lyndon Johnson was calling from the White House. “Get me, Ken Galbraith. This is Lyndon Johnson,” said the president. She replied, “He is sleeping, Mr. President. He said not to disturb him.” “Well, wake him up. I want to talk to him,” replied Johnson. “No, Mr. President. I work for him, not you,” said Wilson. When I called the President back, he could scarcely control his pleasure. “Tell that woman I want her here in the White House,” said President Johnson. (Reader’s Digest)

The Apostle Paul reminded the believers of Colossae that God was their boss and not man. Sometimes people say, “You’re not the boss of me.” Ultimately, that is true for the believer. No one is your boss except for God.

Reflection

We may not have the most glamorous or the best paying job in the world, but we can still give that job the best we have to offer. If we are coworkers with God, and God does His best, then we too must do our best.

Praise/Prayer

Praise God for being a loving master. Ask God to help you serve Him well and serve Him first.