A HIGHER MOTIVATION
COLOSSIANS 3:22-24
COLOSSIANS 3:22-24 NKJ
22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
OBSERVATION:
When we read these passages, don't get hung up on the fact that they were written to servants. This is not an endorsement of slavery. This is an exhortation to those in all levels of servanthood.
Paul wrote to the church in Corinth and told them not to become slaves voluntarily. And if they were slaves and had the chance at freedom to take it.
In this letter to the Colossians, Paul is speaking to those who were servants. His admonishment was to serve on a higher level.
Your masters according to the flesh. This statement alone indicates there was something greater at stake. They may have been serving earthly masters, but the greater higher truth was they were serving the Lord.
This had to be such a source of strength to these people with zero social status. Even in their low state, they had the ability to serve their Lord Christ.
What a motivator. Overlooked and demeaned by men but with the capacity to serve the Lord Jesus, who would reward them. What an empowering message. This truth could help them look past the indignity of slavery and discover real purpose for their very existence.
APPLICATION:
If we look at this passage in the light of our current culture, we discover some great truths. And a higher motivation.
Whatever we do on our jobs, we can do as to the Lord from our hearts. Our goal is to please God, not man.
Whatever we do, we do it with all our hearts, out of respect for God and a desire to please our heavenly master, Jesus.
And we also believe we are not wasting our efforts. The Lord can be pleased, and the Lord rewards. Talk about a win-win proposition!
Armed with a higher motivation, believers should be the best employees and bosses on the planet. Higher purpose. Higher motivation. Heartfelt effort. Heavenly rewards.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, show me how I can serve You on my job. I really work for You first.