How We Should Work Each Day

Dr. Randy Carlson

Paul says in Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart as working for the Lord and not for man since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.” That’s a very interesting and powerful verse, so let’s look at it closely.

I was at Chick-Fil-A at lunchtime, and the young guy behind the counter was so outgoing. He asked, “How are you, sir?” and then, “How’s your day?” It wasn’t phony; he sincerely wanted to know.

After I had my lunch, I went back to the counter, and I asked, “What makes you so happy?” He said, “I’m happy today, because I am so busy, and I hate being bored.” You could see he wanted to make his life have purpose.

So, when Paul says, “Whatever you do …” it means simply – whatever you do! If you’re on the phone, that’s what God has given you to do. If you’re at home raising children, if you’re educating the next generation or driving a school bus, if you’re mopping floors, or if you’re serving in a position of leadership – whatever you do, Paul says, do it with all of your heart.

Think about some of the terms we use like a whole-hearted person, and a half-hearted person. What about, my heart isn’t in it? If we reach a place where our hearts aren’t in it, that’s a time to really stop and analyze what’s going on, because it probably has less to do with the work and has more to do with our hearts.

When Gallup does a survey and finds 13% percent is the total number of people that are engaged at work, that’s a sad number. We all have days when we’re not engaged, but God’s intention for us is – whatever we do, that we do it with our whole heart.

Paul goes onto say in this scripture … “Not working for man but working for the Lord.” That is a mindset. Our boss is not the president or the board of the company we work for. As believers in Jesus Christ, someday we’re going to stand before him and be accountable for what we did, and didn’t do, with our time. It’s a decision that we make to have a mindset that says “I’m doing this work unto the Lord.”

And the fourth thing Paul shares is a promise: “As a result of doing this, you will receive an inheritance from the Lord.” The greatest retirement plan is to know our inheritance is coming from God because of what we’re doing.

I hope you take time to apply this powerful verse to whatever you’re doing today.