SERVE DILIGENTLY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY MAY 25, 2023.

SUBJECT: SERVE DILIGENTLY! 

Memory verse: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” (Ecclesiastes 9 vs 10.)

READ: Colossians 3 vs 22 - 4 vs 1: 

3:22: Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 

3:23: And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 

3:24: knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

3:25: But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

4:1: Masters give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

INTIMATION: 

To serve is; to work for; to labor in behalf of; to exert one's self continuously or statedly for the benefit of; to do service for; to be in the employment of, as an inferior, domestic, serf, slave, hired assistant, official helper, etc.; specifically, in a religious sense, to obey and worship. Diligent service is characterized by care and perseverance in carrying out tasks.

Christians should serve with diligence in everything they do (Romans 12 vs 11). When the Christian is working for his living, therefore, he is working on behalf of the Lord. When one becomes a Christian, his attitude changes concerning his work in making a living. As a Christian, he goes to work every day for the Lord and he works to earn a living to support his own necessities (Acts 20 vs 34).

Since the Creation, God has given us work to do. If we could regard our work as an act of worship or service to God, such attitude would take some of the drudgery and boredom out of it. We should be diligent, and could work without complaining or resentment if we would treat our job problems as the cost of discipleship.

Employees should work for their employers as they would for Christ. With such an attitude of servitude they are doing the will of God. When one is giving service to others according to his social obligations, he must render such as he would serve God. The purpose of the employee is to make sure that his employer is successful. In this way, the employee protects his job and provides for his family.

Can you be trusted to do your best, even when the boss is not around? Do you work hard and with enthusiasm? Do you treat your employees as people, not as machines? Employers should pay fair wages and treat their employees justly. Leaders should take care of their volunteers and not abuse them. If you have responsibility over others, make sure you do what is just and fair. Remember that no matter whom you work for, and no matter who works for you, the One you ultimately should want to please is your Father in heaven. You are accountable to Him.

Employers, on the other hand, should pay fair wages and treat their employees justly. Apostle Paul’s instructions, in the Scriptures we read today, encourage responsibility and integrity on the job. Christian employees should do their jobs as if Jesus Christ were their supervisor. And Christian employers should treat their employees fairly and with respect. Employees should not manifest an arrogant or defiant attitude in carrying out their duties. Their service to their employers should not to be from a hypocritical spirit, but from a sincere attitude of service. Their sincerity in service would reap consideration from their employers. They are to give their service to their employers as they would serve the Lord.

There are instances where employee’s good attitude and work may not be recognized and rewarded by the employer. However, God does recognize such and will eventually reward such in eternal glory. The work of an employee on the job is working for the Lord, for the Lord has ordained that one should provide for his own sustenance.

Christian employers must not extract performance out of their employees through threats. They must remember they have the Lord as their Master, before whom they will eventually give account. They must deal with their employees as they would have the Lord deal with them. 

In fact, one would conclude that an employee in today’s economic structure should treat his employer with even greater servitude in view of the fact that he has freedom to quit the job. In all things, the Christian employee must remember that it is his responsibility to make his employer successful. If through responsible conduct he does not, he will be out of job, and subsequently bring shame on the name of Jesus. 

Employees should carry out their duties with a sincere heart. If they give grudging service, such will bring harshness upon them by their masters. Their service should be motivated out of a heart that fears God. In the Old Testament, the fear of God was in reference to one’s obedience to God. Those who feared God obeyed His commandments. 

Both employees and employers who do wrong to their masters and employers will reap what they sow. Both should work in view of the fact that all men will stand in judgement before God. But the believer works for that which is beyond this life. His work is not in vein, therefore, because his works will be following to eternity. (First Corinthians 15 vs 58; Revelation 14 vs 13). 

Prayer: Abba Father, give me the grace to offer my service diligently at all times knowing that in every service I am serving You the Lord as my works follow me to eternity, and Your reward is with You to give to everyone according to his works, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!