Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
— Colossians 3:23–24
“We live in a golden age of underachievement.” I said this on Sunday morning, and I have been thinking about it ever since that time. The issue that most employers face is not finding smart or qualified workers, but rather finding employees that have grit, follow through and a solid work ethic. When the going gets tough, many people jet for what they perceive to be greener pastures, be that a few more dollars, a softer schedule or a less-demanding job description. Putting in the hard work on the front end seems to be relegated to the category of a thing of the past. Workers want the full reward TODAY!
I tell young people that they can truly separate themselves from the pack if they simply show up, work hard and give their very best. This presents today’s workers with an amazing opportunity. You seize it, and you will undoubtedly flourish.
As awesome as this is, there is an even greater reason to work heartily. In the passage above we find that our efforts actually reflect how we feel about God. It appears that my work ethic actually preaches a sermon about what I truly believe about the worth of my savior. How we work is a form of worship. Isn’t it amazing that our work ethic presents an excellent opportunity to declare God’s value to the world?
So just remember that the way we handle our work and our wealth reveals what we value and worship. It’s not merely a matter of provision, it is actually a spiritual endeavor. So let’s all turn our work into worship and our wealth into a Kingdom-building tool. After all, our entire lives are a testimony to what we value most. I guess it’s actually a golden age of opportunity!