Mensa Otabil - Working as Unto the Lord (10/23/2025)
This week we are talking about excellence and how we must be excellent people and provide excellent quality in all that we do. We'll go to the book of Colossians, chapter 3, verses 23 and 24: "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ." Now, this is a very difficult instruction that Paul is giving to the early Christians in Colossae because he is addressing Christians who are slaves or bond servants to other masters. These were Christians held to work very hard; they were the lowest in society, working for people who didn't appreciate them, didn't love them, and mistreated them. Paul is talking to these Christians about how to approach their work.
One of the reasons why most people don't become excellent in their work is because of whom they are working for-the company they work for or the person they work for. They feel that they are in a negative environment, not being treated well, so they don't give their best. That's what Paul is addressing. He says that if we are going to truly work and be excellent people, we must look past the individuals we work for. He states, "You have to work wholeheartedly." It is quite difficult to work wholeheartedly for someone who doesn't pay you well, doesn't treat you well, and doesn't value you. But Paul says, "Don't let that be your consideration; work wholeheartedly. Let your heart be in it."
There's something very important about our attitude towards work. Secondly, he says to do it as unto the Lord. Let Christ be your master; let Him be your boss. So, although your boss may be a cruel person, let it be a service to the Lord. This changes the whole way we approach our work. If I work somewhere and see that I am not just working for my company, but for Jesus Christ, I reframe my perspective. If I work for a government agency, I remind myself that I am not just working for the government; I am working for the Lord Jesus Christ. I imagine Jesus Christ as my boss.
This perspective transforms your approach to work because, as a true Christian, if you see Christ as the one you are working for, you are going to give your best. You will do everything He wants you to do and be sacrificial with your time and effort. Paul says this is how we must view our work. He is addressing people working for very difficult bosses who didn't care for them. Most of us are not working under the same conditions as those Christians in Colossae, but Paul says that should be our approach.
Then he mentions that if you work as unto the Lord, you will look to God to reward you. Many times, our work attitude is linked to rewards, which is reasonable - you don't work for free. You work because you have responsibilities to take care of, and sometimes you may find yourself in a place where you feel you are not being treated fairly or paid well. So what do you do? Are you going to cheat yourself? Are you going to work poorly? Are you going to match your attitude to the environment? No, elevate your attitude. Although the conditions may not be good, work above them because God will reward you.
Sometimes, God rewards you by moving you to a better place or by allowing someone to notice your hard work and helping you find a better work environment. God knows how to reward us. If our work is excellent, even in a difficult place, God will reward us. Let us pray. Say with me: "Heavenly Father, You are the judge of all that I do. Let my work, in private and in public, be pleasing to You. In Jesus' name, Amen." I will catch you again tomorrow. I'm Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.