September 13: Working for the Lord

Scripture
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”
—Colossians 3:23–24 (NLT)

We’ve all seen it happen: someone wearing a company uniform acts out of line, and it ends up costing them their job. In that moment, they forgot that their behavior reflected not just on themselves, but on the name they carried. Paul’s words here are a powerful reminder that as followers of Jesus, we too are always representing Someone.

We are “clothed with Christ,” serving as His ambassadors in this world. That means there’s never a moment when we’re truly “off duty.” In our jobs, our homes, our neighborhoods—wherever we go and whatever we do—we represent our King.

Paul reveals that our true Master is not an earthly boss, but Christ Himself. This truth should radically reframe every task before us. Martin Luther captured this idea beautifully when he said, “The Christian shoemaker does his duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship.”¹ Whether it’s a spreadsheet, a dirty diaper, or a difficult conversation, we are called to do it with excellence, as if we were doing it directly for Jesus.

This perspective changes everything. When work is mundane, we can do it with purpose. When serving people is draining, we can find renewed strength. And when we’re tempted to cut corners, we remember who we’re really working for. Our ultimate reward isn’t a paycheck or a thank you, but the “inheritance” that the Lord Himself will give. Let’s work today in a way that honors our true Master.

Reflection
1. In what area of your life (work, home, school) do you most need the reminder that you are working “for the Lord rather than for people”?

2. How does the promise of an “inheritance as your reward” from the Lord motivate you to work for Him?

3. Thinking of Luther’s idea, what does making “good shoes” (doing your specific work with excellence for God) look like in your life this week?

Prayer
Ask God to transform your perspective on your work, whatever it may be. Pray for the grace to do everything with excellence, as if you were doing it directly for the Lord. Thank the Lord that your ultimate reward is the secure inheritance He provides.