Feb 3 Devotion: Getting the Most Out of Work

5).  Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to th4e flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;  6).  Not with eyeservice, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;  7).  With good will doing service. as to the Lord, and not to men:  8).  Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

                              EPHESIANS 6:5-8 (KJV)

As the saying goes, “If you love what you do, you will not work a day in your life.” 

But we don’t always get to do what we like or labor alongside easy-going people. Just about any job—even a well-loved one—has low points and tasks that feel like drudgery. Our attitude, then, cannot be based upon the work itself or our feelings; rather, it must reflect our position as God’s children. We would be far wiser to adopt a new maxim: “Work for the Lord you love, and you will be fulfilled every day of your life.”

We get the most out of our work when we see ourselves as servants of the Lord. With regard to our attitude about work, here is the principle as taught in God’s Word: “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: (COLOSSIANS 3:22).  Biblical obedience isn’t merely an outward show with inward grumbling and resentment. Rather, it is a true commitment to the welfare of others.

God’s children are called to be His servants (SEE EPHESIANS 6:7).  Since we spend significant amounts of time at a job, much of our service will be done there. As employees, we are to apply the biblical principles of obedience and sacrifice, because whoever our human boss may be, the Lord is the ultimate authority overseeing our actions. He wants to observe us practicing righteousness—at work and in every other area of our life.

-IBC