Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is for the Lord Christ whom you serve.
Colossians 3:23-24
As an old school person soon to turn 65 years of age, I realize I may think differently than others. The only assurance I have that an opinion of mine is correct is if it lines up with scripture and God’s Spirit. Growing up in Minnesota in the 1960’s and 1970’s, one of the biggest insults you could get as a man was to be called lazy and a slouch. I was taught to work hard at all things or don’t do it at all as your work and work ethic reflected who you were and your character. This is also what the Lord of the Universe tells us and should be a motivator for all of us in how we live and do things. Scripture reveals that as Christians, those who have the Holy Spirit in us, should live to honor God in all things. Whether we are at home, work, amongst family and friends, or serving at church in some capacity, give it your best for God’s glory. It sure seems to me that in our current culture of America, quality in just about everything is suffering and declining and people’s concern over doing right is not much of a factor; this should never be true of us who name Christ as our Lord and Savior. We do not work hard to earn salvation, as that can only come by God’s grace giving us the faith we need to believe, but we work hard out of gratitude, love and trust that He will reward us in the future. All we do should be stamped with the clear sign that we are a people of faith who know who we belong to and serve. I am not insisting that we have perfection in all we do, but rather sincere effort with the goal of giving the best we have. To not care about these quality and effort issues is a bad sign of our spiritual life. Consider that parable of the talents that Jesus taught in Matthew 25:14-30: the slaves who were diligent were rewarded, but the unfaithful and unconcerned slave who hid the talent faced judgment; the master called the slave “lazy and wicked.” My friends, our time in this life is short and we only have this brief opportunity to honor God and live for Him in all we do. Let’s be sure we are redeeming the time in all aspects of how we live so we can hear “well done good and faithful servant” as we enter eternity. Blessings!
Love in Christ,
Pastor Gary Houdek