With all your heart

In Galatians 6:4–5, Paul gives us a very important principle: “Pay careful attention to your own work… For we are each responsible for our own conduct.”

There is something very powerful in those words: “pay careful attention to your own work.”

Many people approach their work with the attitude, “As long as I get by, that's enough.” We may give our employer the minimum required. We do what we have to do, but we don't necessarily do our best.

Sadly, sometimes we can carry the same attitude into the work of the Lord.

We may say, “Nobody is paying me.” “Nobody appreciates what I do.” “Others are not doing their part, so why should I?”

But Paul gives us a different standard. Pay careful attention to your own work.

The Christian should not be known for doing the minimum. We should be people who can be trusted to do our work well, faithfully and wholeheartedly.

Paul says in another place:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” - Colossians 3:23

That changes everything.

When you go to work tomorrow, you are not merely working for your boss. You are ultimately working for the Lord.

When you prepare a lesson, preach a sermon, clean the church, serve in the ministry, raise your children, run your business, teach your students, look after your home, or carry out your responsibilities - you can do it as unto the Lord.

Do your best- not to impress people, but to honour God.

Galatians 6:4 also says that when we do our work faithfully, “then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done.”

There is a satisfaction that comes when you know that you gave your best, you did all that you could and that you were faithful with what God has entrusted to you.

That satisfaction does not depend on applause, recognition or promotion.

Sometimes nobody notices.

Your boss may not say thank you. People may not recognise your sacrifice. Even in ministry, people may forget what you have done.

But God sees.

And because God sees, we can serve with joy even when people do not see.

Paul then gives another important instruction: “You won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.”

This is so important because comparison can rob us of the joy of serving God.

Someone may have a greater gift than you or a larger ministry. Someone may receive more recognition or may seem to accomplish more than you.

But God did not ask you to be someone else.

He gave you your own calling. He gave you your own gifts. He gave you your own opportunities. He gave you your own responsibilities. So don't spend your life comparing your work with somebody else's work.

Be faithful with what God has placed in your hands.

The question is not, “Am I doing as much as somebody else?”

The question is: “Am I being faithful with what God has entrusted to me?”

And there is something else I find significant about the biblical understanding of work. 

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew idea of avodah can refer both to work/labour and to service or worship. It is used in contexts of ordinary labour as well as service rendered to God.

That gives us a beautiful biblical picture: Our work can become worship.

Whether you are in the pulpit or in the workplace, behind a desk or behind a steering wheel, teaching a class or building a business - you can honour God through the way you do your work.

The Christian should therefore be exemplary in whatever he or she does. Not because we are trying to prove that we are better than others. Not because we want people's applause. But because God sees us.

Our attitude at work is part of our testimony. Our punctuality is part of our testimony. Our integrity is part of our testimony. Our diligence is part of our testimony. Our willingness to go the extra mile is part of our testimony.

People may never read a Bible, but they may read our lives.

So whatever God has placed before you today, don't do it half-heartedly.

Do it with all your heart. Do it faithfully. Do it diligently. Do it excellently. Do it without comparison. And above all, do it as unto the Lord.

Because at the end of the day, the greatest satisfaction is not hearing people say, “Well done.”

It is knowing that the Lord whom we serve can say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Prayer:

Lord, help me not to give You or others the leftovers of my effort. Teach me to be faithful in whatever You have entrusted to me. Whether in my workplace, my home, my church or my ministry, help me to work with all my heart, knowing that ultimately, I am serving You. Keep me from comparison and help me to be faithful with my own calling and responsibilities. May my work become an expression of worship and a testimony of Your grace. 

In Jesus' name, Amen.