Do your Work as unto the Lord

Posted on Oct. 22, 2025, 8:53 a.m. by Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre

The New Collins Concise English Dictionary defined Work, as physical or mental efforts directed towards doing or making something. Or as paid employment at a job or a trade, occupation, or profession. From the definition, one can understand that the creation of the heavens and the earth was the result of God’s mental efforts. The Bible says, “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen.1:1) Likewise, Jesus after healing a man in the temple on a sabbath day affirmed the fact that He has been working along with His Father. “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” (John.5:17) His work is to save people from sin and its consequences of their sin. It is known as Salvation which was accomplished through His death and resurrection.) It is the work that saves those that believes and put their faith in Him. Mental or physical efforts directed towards doing or making something brings success. God through mental efforts created the heavens and the earth including everything in them. “All things were created through Him and for Him” (Col.1:16) Believers are saved through the salvation work of Jesus Christ. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts.4:12) Apostle Paul engaged in physical work of making tent to provide for himself and the fellow evangelists who were working with him. He was able to boast while exhorting the Ephesian elders, that he had not coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel because his hands have provided for his necessities and for those that were with him. (Acts.20:33-35) No wonder, Apostle Paul commanded believers in Thessalonica to work with their hands so they can meet their needs and support themselves. Aside from that, their engagement in work will help them lead a quiet life of inner peace and calmness devoid of getting involved in activities that would cause disturbance in the society. In addition, working will not allow them to get involve in the lives of others, thereby causing hostility among men. But, instead, mind their own business. (1 Thess.4:11) Therefore, when one becomes a Christian, one accepts the responsibility to work in order to support oneself, one’s family and others who need help and not to be idle. Aside from that, working with one’s own hands accord one respect in the community in which one lives. It characterises one as a responsible person even before unbelievers. The word of God says, “Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.” (Col.3:22) Though Apostle Paul deals specifically with slave-master relationship in this context, the principle also applies to employee-employer relationship. Therefore, as Christians, one is not to work with eyeservice or as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. To work in sincerity of heart and fearing God is to do one’s work diligently devoid of any unfaithfulness. Brethren, when we regularly bring our trade, occupation or profession to an abrupt stop or absent ourselves from our paid work without care, on the excuse of attending unrelated functions including one religious program or the other, then we are not working in sincerity of heart. Such excuse also amounts to being overly righteous. (Eccl.7:16a) A fanatical zeal for religion or a privately defined righteousness. Christian employee must be aware that his responsibility is to make his employer successful and the self-employed believer to run his business in a diligent and prosperous manner. Work must be done with sincerity and obedience. Any contrary behaviour may cause the Christian employee to be out of job and the self-employed Christian to suffer avoidable loss and subsequently bring shame to the name of Jesus. We must therefore do our work heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. Evangelism Jesus died for the sin of the world; He died for you too. Come to Him today and be saved. He is waiting for you. Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre