You'd Be Surprised

Ephesians 6


Slaves and Masters

5Slaves, obey your masters here on earth with fear and respect and from a sincere heart, just as you obey Christ. 6You must do this not only while they are watching you, to please them. With all your heart you must do what God wants as people who are obeying Christ. 7Do your work with enthusiasm. Work as if you were serving the Lord, not as if you were serving only men and women. 8Remember that the Lord will give a reward to everyone, slave or free, for doing good.

You'd Be Surprised

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might . . .
Ecclesiastes 9:10a

Recommended Reading Ephesians 6:5-8

A humorous sermon illustration gives an example of the wrong attitude toward work:
Manager: "I'm sorry I can't hire you, but there isn't enough work to keep you busy."
Applicant: "You'd be surprised how little it takes."

This is clearly an exaggeration in order to make a point, but some people truly have this mentality toward work; they don't take pride in the performance of their responsibilities, rather they take pride in their profession. According to the Bible, however, this is backward thinking; and even servants should do their best, not caring about their lowly position, but working with integrity unto their real Master, who is God (Colossians 3:23).

It is difficult not to get caught up in the pursuit for power and position. After all, in the eyes of the world, these are highly prized and sought after treasures. But when we lock eyes with Jesus and turn a deaf ear to the praises of men, the only thing that truly matters is doing everything with an attitude of pleasing and honoring Him. It is from God that the gift of work comes, so it is to Him that our efforts should be aimed.

Do everything in its own time; do everything in earnest; if it is worth doing, then do it with all your might.
Robert Murray M'Cheyne