Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart …
Summary: Paul’s choice of words in this passage opens the door to a way of living that brings us closer to God and closer to the way we were intended to live.
I have a confession to make:
Sometimes, when I come to a place where Scripture repeats itself several times, I simply want to refer back to the first time and say, “Well, we have already talked about this so let’s skip ahead to the next verse.”
Oddly, I’ve never done that. Every … single … time I’ve written about something twice, I have found something new to write about.
This passage is a perfect example. Paul has just finished saying:
“[Servants*], obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.” (Colossians 3:22)
This time, he says something very similar, but it is not exactly the same. Let’s explore why …
In the first statement, he addresses his admonition ‘to obey’ to servants which we correctly compared to anyone who works for a living. Then he writes about doing our work with “sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.”
In today’s passage, Paul broadens his application of the same principle to include “whatever you do.”
In the next part of his sentence, he goes on to relate this to our relationship with God, but the advice he gives is good whether a person is a believer in Jesus as Lord or not: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart.”
What does that mean?
In the beginning of the Bible, God explains how he created us. It says:
“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7)
The word for “breath” in this passage means the same thing as the word Paul uses for “heart.”
In a very real sense, what Paul is saying is, “Whatever you do, work at it with all the life-giving force that God breathed into you when you were created.”
Some people say it this way … “Don’t waste your life!”
Don’t waste what God has given you! Use it wisely, use it well, and use it all!
Application: Live fully as God intended us to live.
Food for Thought: Why is the word “work” important in this passage?
*The Greek word “doûlos” can be translated as “slaves,” but it also means “servant.” See “Colossians 3:22a – Doing Our Job Well” for additional explanation.
Why is the word “work” important in this passage?
Our work is given to us from the Lord. Just as God created the Heavens and the Earth (He worked), He created us in His image to work. He gave Adam work in the Garden of Eden, and God gives us work in His Kingdom so that we can share in the joy and satisfaction of working toward good things.
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.
Conversely, the curse placed on Adam is that his work would bring “thorns and thistles” after he rebelled against God. He offers us redemption from that curse.
Proverbs 16:3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
To me, working with all our heart marries up with serving Christ. It is only through Christ that we are able to let go of selfish ambition. In service to Him, He rewards us in His blessing.
Psalm 90:17
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands upon us;
yes, establish the work of our hands!
Chris,
Thank you! I like the way you looked at this!
Great Summation CH!
Why is the word “work” important in this passage?
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, Colossians 3:23a
Believers are not remaining on earth on vacation. Our eternal life has been given to each by God now, and we are called to submit to His power as thru us, His will is done on earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:10
Paul’s written words remind us that, regardless of our station in life, God has empowered and is ultimately judging, measuring all we do, so all of our service is really for Him. From the most mistreated servant to the highest-paid leader, every person is called to work honoring God. We do not work “for men” or simply earthly rewards, but to glorify our heavenly Father and Master. As we live for His honor in all we do. This applies to our personal life, family, as well as work for others.
Amen, Ron! Amen! 🙂
Good comments all. Thank you.
🙂