Read
Col 3.12-4.18
Verses chosen for devotion:
“Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.”
Colossians 3:22-25 ESV
Reflect
In this chapter Paul talked about putting off the old and putting on the new. We are new creations in Christ Jesus and we should live our lives in Christlikeness. Here Paul talked about duties as servants to earthly masters, to be sincere, faithful, diligent and serve in God-fearing manner.
How does this apply to me in the modern world? What has obedience and faithfulness to our earthly masters got to do with Christian life and christlikeness?
Relate
Servants (or employees in our context today) are often viewed as the weaker parties that need more protection than the more powerful masters (i.e. employers). There are laws and guidelines put in place to safeguard the employee’s interests and fairness in employment contracts. Even though employees are usually considered as having lesser control over their employment (as in the old days where the well being of slaves were in in the hands of their masters), Paul urged us to be dutiful, sincere, faithful and diligent to our employers. So, as an employee I have my obligation to my employer as in the same way I have my duties owing to God.
Eye-Pleasing Employees
We are urged not to be pretentious to please our employers when our hearts are not acting in alignment. In the corporate world there are many ways to appear hardworking or diligent, when many are just putting up a front to showcase their diligence and sincerity. In my previous bank that I worked, there were employees who constantly stayed beyond 9pm, just to create the perception that they were busy and committed. In reality they did not have much work on their hands. Some others only sent out emails after working hours for the same reasons to please their managers. We are urged to be sincere in discharging our duties as employees not just when we are under watch but because the work is entrusted to us to be completed. Whatever I do I am reminded that I am under the eye of my heavenly master so even if my earthly one failed to notice, my heavenly one will know and judge accordingly v25.
Serve heartily
Many people work to earn enough to feed their families. Seldom do we hear of people enjoying going to work, and that is why we have “Monday Blues”. How do we then work heartily? What motivates us to do so? Do we realise that we are placed in our work for a purpose? A purpose that God has for us? Ephesians 2:10 - “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”. It is by no coincidence that I am placed in where I am at work for God has a mission for me. It could be for me to make disciples in the workplace, mentor someone under me, bless a fellow colleague, or even a process for me to be shaped into a better person. If I do not believe that God’s purpose work through me in my workplace, then my work life would be dull and purposeless.
A faithful Servant
I remembered in my earlier days of interviews with prospective employer, I was always asked what I could do for the company for them to consider hiring me. Today when I conduct interviews with candidates, the party asking the question seems to have switched around. As hiring manager I am now asked what I can offer to the prospective employees for them to consider joining the company. The sense of “self-entitlement” has brought upon a culture of drawing boundaries of doing just enough, lack of commitment, job dissatisfaction and frequent job hopping. Instead of working for the good of the company, very often unengaged employees choose to act solely for their own interests. If we cannot act faithfully towards our earthly master how then can we stay faithful to our heavenly master, whom we cannot see or touch?
Paul’s message reminded me that I represent Christ in everything I do at the workplace. My working attitude can either dishonour or glorify God. There is a purpose in everything that I do, a purpose that God has for me in my workplace. When I serve my employer I am serving God.
Rest
Lord, help me see your purpose for me in my workplace. Grant me the wisdom and diligence to fulfill that purpose You have for me. In Jesus name I ask. Amen
Alan
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