The big question is this: is the Lord really interested in my work ethic? Surely this is not that important to God? Oh yes it is. Ephesians 6:5 says, “Servants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling.”  “Wow! Do you mean to say that I should have a “fear and trembling” attitude towards my boss? I have never heard of this before,” you say. “It must be something of the past.” No, it is as much for today as ever it will be.

v. 5 continues, “in singleness (sincerity) of your heart, as unto Christ…” A single heart means not having one heart for the boss and one for the Lord. It is simply one heart to please the Lord.

v. 6, “Not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.” Oh how we love to impress people more than God. People we can see but the Lord we cannot see. But He is watching! You had better believe it. “From the heart” means to be whole-hearted, to do your work as an act of worship to the Lord.

verses 7-8, “With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.”

It is important to remember that when you go to work you are not just working for the boss, but also for the Chief Boss, the Lord himself. He is the one who gives promotion. Psalm 75:6-7, “For promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he puts down one, and sets up another.” Did you think that rewards and promotions come only from your employer? Wrong. The Scripture says they come from the Lord Himself. It is the Lord who puts it into your employer’s mind to promote you or dismiss you.

When you see employment from this perspective, you must accept the fact that every true Christian should consider themselves employed by our Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 3:22, “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.” It is more important to have the fear of God in you at the work place than the fear of your earthly employer.

verses 23-24, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” The real men put their whole heart into what they do.