Seven Attitudes Regarding Work According to Apostle Paul

1) We are instructed as employees, to be obedient to our employers. This means we follow instructions and abide by the rules of our workplaces.

2) We are to have respect and honor (fear and trembling) for our employer. Instead of being rebellious and thinking that we know better than our bosses, we are to respect and honor those in charge of us at the workplace.

3) We have to have a purity of motive, “in sincerity of heart” or with “singleness of heart.” Be sincere in your work. The word “sincerity” or “singleness” comes from the Greek word that also means “without dissimulation or self-seeking.” It also means “with generosity, bountifulness, liberality, simplicity.”

4) We have to have conscientiousness—being accountable when nobody is watching us. He says, “not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers.” The motivation for this is the fact that we are employees of Christ. It is so important to understand that we are the employees of Christ before we are employees of whichever company or institution we may be working for. In our places of work, we are the employees of Christ. We represent Christ and do our work “as to the Lord, and not to men,” for we are working for the Lord. Christ, who is our main employer, is watching us. He sees whether we go to work on time. He sees our punctuality, our attendance or absence from work. He also knows the real reasons we skipped work even if we called in sick and took the day off to do something else. He sees how we use our time at work. Are we doing real work or wasting our time? He sees all the “shortcuts” we try to take. He sees if we are making false statements, dishonest reports and so on.

We represent Christ and do our work “as to the Lord, and not to men,” for we are working for the Lord. Christ, who is our main employer, is watching us.

5) We have to do our work as “doing the will of God from the heart” or working “heartily, as to the Lord.” We need to do the work assigned to us wholeheartedly. Do not make a half-hearted effort. Instead, give it all you have got. Give it your best. Do it as though you are doing it for Jesus.

6) We have to work “with goodwill doing service.” Do your work cheerfully, not with grumbling and complaining. The Message Bible puts it this way—“And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you are really serving God.” (Ephesians 6:7, MSG)

7) We have to “Look to the Lord for your reward.” Since Christ is your real Employer, when you have done your best, you can rest assured that He is faithful to reward you. When you are looking to the Lord for your reward, you stop behaving like the world! People in the world “push and shove” just to get ahead in the workplace. But as believers, we are to be calm, relaxed, and just work with a good heart giving our best. The God of heaven will reward us. When God decides to promote us in the workplace, no man can get in the way! And remember that part of your reward is in the world to come. You will get paid in full when you come into your inheritance on the other side!

REMEMBER Colossians 3:22-25 (The Message Bible) makes things simple and clear.

“22 Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. 23 Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, 24 confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. 25 The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.”

God bless our work!

Doc Justin