Scripture:
Colossians 3:22-25 ESV
[22] Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. [23] Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, [24] knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. [25] For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
Observation:
A bondservant is someone who has willingly placed themselves in the services of someone else. In modern-day terms, a bondservant is an employee. So what this verse is telling us is that as employees, we should do the work we are asked to do as though we are working for the LORD. Not to look good for people, but because we love the LORD and want to please HIM. Paul was directing the Colossians on their work ethics. There must have been some conflict in the way they were serving their master. Maybe they were doing it begrudgingly and complaining about it, or maybe everything they did was to look good in the eyes of man, but their concern was not the quality of work, but more about how they looked. Either way, Paul felt like correction was needed and wanted the Colossians to have the right perspective about who they were really working for. Therefore, changing their perspective on how to perform at work. Knowing the real reward is not a paycheck but a pat on the back from GOD with a job well done.
Application:
As a small business owner. I strive to do the best job I can for the customers that GOD brings me. My level of stress at times is pretty high. There is a lot to keep straight, and the bigger that GOD grows, the company the more that will increase it seems. Unless I change my perspective. I love the work I do. I have been doing it for over 30 years now. There is nothing like having a customer tell me they are amazed at how what was done looked. But more importantly. I want GOD to be, please. The at-a-boy I’m looking for is from HIM. I do my best to do my best. Putting my best foot forward. I know that I am not nessesraley working for the customer. What I am doing is under my heavenly Father’s vision. HE is watching. If I am slack in my work, it affects more than just the person I am working for. It honestly has a way of shifting things in heaven. I love the men who work for me, every one of them, and I want what’s best for them, but just like me, they are honestly not working for me. They are working for the LORD. Under the umbrella of Christ Like Carpentry. I’m not writing this SOAP to put over my company or what we do. But I have to explain that it’s not just a construction company. Like I said, I love the men that work for me. GOD has built a company that has allowed me to not only put run down homes back together but also help men who have struggled in life as well. I do my best to show them good work ethics. But even more important than that, how to live for GOD. Something we all could improve on. Knowing who we are working for should change the way we look at how we should be working. For me, it makes me not want to be slack in my work and do the very best job I can. My reward is more than a paycheck it’s a treasure in heaven. Diligent hands and a heart that is steadfast on serving the LORD are what I pray for, and it’s not just ideal prayers. It’s what I want. GOD has designed us to move forward. Not back step. My desire is to forge a path for the company that GOD is building to go to the next level. In order to do that, we need the team of men to be on the same page. Wanting to do what is right not because man is watching but because GOD is watching and we want to please HIM.
Prayer:
Father, only you can take this SOAP and reach every heart that reads it. Sometimes, I’m not sure why you direct me the way you do, but I want to be obedient. So here is what I believe you wanted me to write. Now it’s up to you, Father, to do with it what you intended it for. As you do so. I pray that our work day would honor you and that we would keep in mind that the work we do is not for the company we work for but for you. Help us to keep that in perspective. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.