This week’s devotions are based on Week 6 of Building Together: “When Faith Goes to Work!” (WATCH HERE)
Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Have you ever worked harder because someone was watching? Perhaps you cleaned up a room when you knew company was coming, hurried to finish a task when your supervisor walked by, or put extra effort into something because you knew someone would notice. We all appreciate recognition, and there is nothing wrong with being encouraged when someone thanks us for our work. But what happens when nobody is watching? Does our effort change when there is no one around to notice what we do?
In Ephesians 6:6, Paul warns against serving merely “to win their favor when their eye is on you.” He calls this eye service, the kind of work done primarily to impress someone. Paul was writing to enslaved people living under the authority of masters in the Roman Empire. Their circumstances were very different from those of most workers today, and their lack of freedom made their situation especially difficult. Yet Paul points them to a deeper motivation for their work. They are to serve sincerely, “as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart” (Ephesians 6:6).
Paul is not suggesting that every task is pleasant or that every person in authority is fair. Rather, he reminds Christians that their ultimate Lord is Jesus. Human approval may come and go, but Christ sees our lives and knows our hearts. Paul encourages them to serve wholeheartedly, as though they were serving the Lord rather than people.
This changes how we approach the ordinary responsibilities of life. At work, we can act with honesty even when no supervisor is present. At home, we can take care of responsibilities without waiting to be asked or praised. At church, we can serve faithfully even when our efforts go unnoticed. These may seem like small things, but they are opportunities to love our neighbors through the everyday work God has placed before us.
Colossians 3:23–24 offers the same encouragement: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” Our motivation is not to earn God’s love or prove that we deserve His favor. We already have His favor through Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Christ has forgiven our sins and made us His own. Our faithful service is a response to His grace, not a payment for it.
There will be days when we grow tired, feel overlooked, or wonder whether our efforts matter. In those moments, remember that your value does not depend on how much people notice you. The Lord who gave His life for you sees even the quiet acts of faithfulness that others miss. Because Christ has served you with unfailing love, you are free to serve others with a sincere heart.
Reflect: Where am I tempted to put less effort into my responsibilities when nobody is watching? How could remembering that I ultimately serve Christ change the way I approach one ordinary task today?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have worked only to gain the approval of others or neglected my responsibilities when no one was watching. Thank You for seeing me, loving me, and making me Your own through Jesus Christ. Give me a sincere heart and a willing spirit so that I may serve faithfully in every part of my life, trusting that my work is an opportunity to love my neighbor and honor You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.