Col 3:23-24, "Whatever you are doing, work~~ at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people, because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve ~~ the Lord Christ.
Motivation for why we do things is very important in Scripture. One of the chief defects of the first century slave was the lack of motivation to behave with zeal unless threatened with punishment. The principles taught in the commands for slaves are general principles that apply to modern employees as well. The temptation for the slave was to do as little as one could get away with.
One can only imagine the difficulty for one of the 100 million Roman slaves in the first century who desired to honor the Lord. It must be clear that the priority of the NT was to spread the gospel and not to be clouded with social concerns. These circumstances are comparable to our modern employee-employer relationship. If the first century slave could follow these principles, then any employee today can as well, for the honor of our Lord.
A Christian slave owed complete obedience to his master as though his service were a ministry to the Lord Himself; however, the principle can be applied as to all employees. The phrase “whatever” extends beyond what might be a normally expected obligation. The present tense meant they were to “continually or habitually be working with all their souls or hearts” (psuche), that is, action done with all their strength.
Negatively, we are not to serve men, that is, not to be men-pleasers. No attempt is to be made to impress human authorities or manipulate their approval. We are not to make sure we are seen and heard looking good or busy. Jesus had warned in Matt 6:1 that anything done just to be seen or approved of men would receive no reward from Him. Only the Lord could know what motivates our behavior, but He never misses a single thought. We are to always be doing excellent work whether anyone is looking or not.
Two aspects of the motivation are to be kept in the servant’s mind: (1) whatever one does it is “as to the Lord and not for people.” The Lord who sees all and knows all, looks for what He can reward. (2) They were to be continually knowing or thinking of their “inheritance from the Lord as the reward” for their faithful service, which makes life’s efforts worthwhile. Under Roman law a slave could not inherit anything; however, Paul gives dignity and hope to the servant by describing the reward that will be given personally from the Lord.
Even while remaining slaves (or employees), believers are continually or habitually to be serving the Lord Jesus. The triple repetition of the focus toward the Lord suggests that the slave/employee is to be constantly repeating in his mind that his loyalty is focused on Christ, which transcends his devotion to his human master. This makes it easier to bear the harsher and unpleasant features of his enslavement or employment. Whatever your task, it is to be done as for the Lord Himself. Can you keep this focus today?
NLT Psalm 33:4 For the word of the LORD holds true, and we can trust everything he does.
For a year's daily devotional of these Bible studies, order a copy of the book Truths to Live By at Branches Publications for your copy.
Motivation for why we do things is very important in Scripture. One of the chief defects of the first century slave was the lack of motivation to behave with zeal unless threatened with punishment. The principles taught in the commands for slaves are general principles that apply to modern employees as well. The temptation for the slave was to do as little as one could get away with.
One can only imagine the difficulty for one of the 100 million Roman slaves in the first century who desired to honor the Lord. It must be clear that the priority of the NT was to spread the gospel and not to be clouded with social concerns. These circumstances are comparable to our modern employee-employer relationship. If the first century slave could follow these principles, then any employee today can as well, for the honor of our Lord.
A Christian slave owed complete obedience to his master as though his service were a ministry to the Lord Himself; however, the principle can be applied as to all employees. The phrase “whatever” extends beyond what might be a normally expected obligation. The present tense meant they were to “continually or habitually be working with all their souls or hearts” (psuche), that is, action done with all their strength.
Negatively, we are not to serve men, that is, not to be men-pleasers. No attempt is to be made to impress human authorities or manipulate their approval. We are not to make sure we are seen and heard looking good or busy. Jesus had warned in Matt 6:1 that anything done just to be seen or approved of men would receive no reward from Him. Only the Lord could know what motivates our behavior, but He never misses a single thought. We are to always be doing excellent work whether anyone is looking or not.
Two aspects of the motivation are to be kept in the servant’s mind: (1) whatever one does it is “as to the Lord and not for people.” The Lord who sees all and knows all, looks for what He can reward. (2) They were to be continually knowing or thinking of their “inheritance from the Lord as the reward” for their faithful service, which makes life’s efforts worthwhile. Under Roman law a slave could not inherit anything; however, Paul gives dignity and hope to the servant by describing the reward that will be given personally from the Lord.
Even while remaining slaves (or employees), believers are continually or habitually to be serving the Lord Jesus. The triple repetition of the focus toward the Lord suggests that the slave/employee is to be constantly repeating in his mind that his loyalty is focused on Christ, which transcends his devotion to his human master. This makes it easier to bear the harsher and unpleasant features of his enslavement or employment. Whatever your task, it is to be done as for the Lord Himself. Can you keep this focus today?
NLT Psalm 33:4 For the word of the LORD holds true, and we can trust everything he does.
For a year's daily devotional of these Bible studies, order a copy of the book Truths to Live By at Branches Publications for your copy.
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