A GOD-LIVED LIFE: Serving the Lord

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

          We are observing a series of sermons with a Stewardship emphasis. Stewardship, ultimately, is about our entire life. We use what God gives us to his glory and for the good of our neighbor.
          Each month, I will be sending out an email to further encourage what we pondered on the first Sunday of that month. In this way, the thoughts do not perish by that Sunday evening, but each one can give intentional consideration how he or she may put into practice what was proclaimed as a God-pleasing way to serve him.
          For the month of November, we continue to consider what it means to have A Life Lived for Others.

A LIFE LIVED FOR OTHERS

Week #1       Serving the Lord

            To the Christians in Colossae, St. Paul wrote, “Slaves, obey your human masters in everything, not just when they are watching you, like people-pleasers, but with a sincere heart, out of respect for the Lord.  Whatever you do, keep working at it with all your heart, as for the Lord and not for people” (Colossians 3:23).  I suppose we could update it to our own context and refer to employees serving their employers.

            St. Paul’s point is that, even for those whose service might be viewed as degrading or thankless, these people were doing honorable work.  Maybe they did not like their masters, and maybe they resented the work they were given to do.  But they were not merely to put on a show and do complete their tasks while they were being watched.  Their work actually served a higher purpose—they were God’s people serving their Lord.

            We might make the mistake of thinking that our work is not honorable or valuable if it is not glamorous.  Most work isn’t.  But God gives us work to do which is necessary, beneficial, and praise-worthy (at least in his eyes).  Therefore, we do our best because we are God’s people who strive to honor God with our whole lives.  If the world remains unimpressed or uninterested, we need not fret.  St. Paul’s words to the Colossians remind us why.  The verses above conclude with this: “…because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  Keep serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:24)! 

            If we labor only for this world, its glory, and its approval, we will never find joy in our work.  When we labor for the Lord in all that we do, we are serving a loving master who finds delight in us because we are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus.  He is pleased with our work because he is pleased with you.  And your work is honorable because God bestows both your work and you with honor.