COLOSSIANS 3:18-4:1
COLOSSIANS 3:18-4:1
New International Version
18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
22 Slaves, 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. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.
4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
COLOSSIANS 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
REFLECTION
Life is busy. It’s easy to be consumed by to-do lists, work deadlines, and that one task you always seem to put off until later. Naturally, when we accomplish something, whether big or small, our tendency is to want recognition and praise for our hard work. Paul reminds us that everything we do should be for the Lord, not for others. Instead of letting people-pleasing take up space in our minds, we can rest in the fact that we are promised an inheritance from the Lord.
RESPONSE
Whose approval do you catch yourself working for?
In this day and age, it’s common for people to wear busyness and overworking as a badge of honor. Have you caught yourself doing this before? If so, when?
In what ways can you slow down? Where can you intentionally build rest and reflection into your calendar?
Take time in prayer to dedicate your work to the Lord. Whether it be a career, the work of maintaining your home, or even the task list you have to tackle today, we get to offer it all to Him!
