Ephesians 6:7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
My Grandpa Etzler had a rhyme he would share with me and my cousins when we were little. He said it so often that we engraved it on a gold plaque for him to hang in his bedroom and we buried it with him when he passed away. It said:
Once a task is thus begun
Never leave it ‘til it’s done.
Be the task great or small
Do it well or not at all.
My grandpa was trying to teach us a level of work ethic that you don’t always see in today’s society. The concept is real simple. If you start something, finish it. It doesn’t matter if it is a big project at work or a small project at home. Finishing the project will give you a sense of accomplishment and will show others that you are proud of your work. But grandpa didn’t just say finish it either, he said do it well or not at all. Take the time to do it RIGHT. Crease the edges. Dot the I’s. Cross the T’s.
In Ephesians 6:7, Paul is also encouraging responsibility and integrity on the job just like my grandpa was. If Christ was your employer, would that change the way you do your job? Can you be trusted to do your best even when your boss is not around? As Christians, we should strive to be a reflection of Jesus in everything we do, whether that is working at your career in the business world, cleaning houses, raising your children or ringing up customers at a grocery store. You should do your job with enthusiasm as if Christ was your supervisor.
Are you an employer? Do you have people reporting to you at your place of employment? What if Christ was your employee? Would that change the way you treated your employees? Although you may be at different levels than your employees in this earthly society, God does not play favorites. No one is more important than anyone else. We are all brothers and sister in Christ.
Remember, no matter who you work for and no matter who works for you, the One you should ultimately want to please is your Father in heaven. So, work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Finish what you start and do it as though Christ is watching, because He is.
Dear Father in heaven, thank you for providing me with a job. Help me to work with enthusiasm and to finish what I start. I want to make you proud of me. In your name I pray, Amen.