23Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
When it comes to the false places we look to for purpose and meaning, perhaps finding satisfaction in our work is the sneakiest of all. After all, we as followers of Christ are called to honor God by working hard. The problem occurs when we place all of our worth, meaning, and value in the work we do. After all, our true meaning and purpose can be found in Christ and Christ alone.
Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 2 about the futility of seeking satisfaction in his work. As he considered all of his hard work and everything he had built during his reign as king, he wrote, “I came to hate all my hard work here on earth, for I must leave to others everything I have earned. And who can tell whether my successors will be wise or foolish? Yet they will control everything I have gained by my skill and hard work under the sun. How meaningless!” (verses 18-19). These are strong words from Solomon! In his quest for significance and satisfaction, he realized that even his hard work fell short. As he considered his work, he concluded that everything he had built and worked so hard for would be left to his successors after his death, and he had no idea whether they would steward it wisely. This left him to say, “I gave up in despair, questioning the value of all my hard work in this world” (verse 20). Solomon learned the hard way that satisfaction can never be found in our hard work because it will fall short every time, and he was left in despair as a result.
As we consider the truth that satisfaction cannot be found in our work, we must ask ourselves the question, “How do we view our work as followers of Christ?” The apostle Paul answers this question for us in the book of Colossians. In Colossians 3, Paul wrote, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (verse 23). This is how we view work, my friends. We are to work willingly and heartily at whatever we do, not for ourselves or other people, however. We are to work as if we are working for God. This is how we have a right perspective of our work and find joy and contentment in it, seeking to please God alone.
When it comes to your work, are you working to please other people or God? If you work to please people, including yourself, you will find yourself empty and in despair, much like Solomon was. If you, however, choose to work for the Lord, you will find peace, contentment, joy, and satisfaction as you seek to please Him and honor Him in all you do.
Moving toward action
As you go throughout your day, focus on the call in Colossians 3:23 to work as if you are working for the Lord and not people. Let everything you say as you work be done as if you are doing it for God because, indeed, you are. Ask God to help you as you set out to do this. Look to God rather than your work for satisfaction and meaning.
Prayer Prompt: Use this prompt to guide you as you pray.
“God, as I set out to work as if I am working for you rather than people, guide me…”
Going deeper
Living the New Life
1Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4And when Christ, who is your[1] life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
5So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.[2] 7You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile,[3] circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized,[4] slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
12Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
16Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Instructions for Christian Households
18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord.
19Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.
20Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. 21Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.
22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. 23Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.[5] 25But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.
Translation notes (5)
- 3:4 Some manuscripts read our.
- 3:6 Some manuscripts read is coming on all who disobey him.
- 3:11a Greek a Greek.
- 3:11b Greek Barbarian, Scythian.
- 3:24 Or and serve Christ as your Master.
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