Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward and the Master you are serving is Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

 

Have you ever been caught procrastinating by an authority figure and quickly pretended that you were working?

 

Who hasn’t daydreamed in a boring class or business meeting? The teacher or presenter drones on but when the principal or the big boss walks in the room, we snap to it. Whenever we don’t take joy or pride in our work, we’re likely be motivated only by performing for others. But work isn’t meant to be performed devoid of wholeheartedness. Work is a gift from God meant to offer purpose and can become a beautiful act of worship.

 

The Bible often talks about wholeheartedness; in the book of Colossians it says, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (Colossians 3:23). Other translations say, “work heartily” or “with your whole heart.” When we shift our mentality to this attitude of wholehearted effort and enthusiasm like we’re working for God, we open the door to joy and finding purpose and pleasure in our work like never before.

 

Instead of doing the bare minimum for an overbearing boss, we have the opportunity to do the best project ever that honors God. Instead of cleaning the house for ungrateful children or a spouse’s gratitude, we can clean it like God was coming over! After telling us to “work heartily,” Scripture says, “Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward and the Master you are serving is Christ (Colossians 3:24).

 

It’s not that we work well because God is watching, instead of the boss, but that whatever the work set before someone who is a follower of Jesus, that work has eternal value when done for God.