Work as Worship

So often we Christians try to segregate our spiritual life from our home life, extra-curricular life and work life. I assert that separating faith from the rest of life is not possible, and work is a form of worship in itself.

Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men" (NKJV). This verse is in the context of how a Christian home should operate. The specific context is in the context of a bondservant, and I believe it applies to those serving in the marketplace. Work is associated with worship in this passage.

As believers we must be cautious of segregating our faith from our other endeavors. Everything we do is an act of worship. Who we worship will be revealed by our behaviors.

Another aspect of this principle is that our faith should drive the quality of whatever we set our hands to do. If we are working "as to the Lord," the quality of that product should be of excellence as He is worthy of excellence. This applies to sermon-writing, surgery, landscaping, accounting, refuse collection - you get the idea. Christians should be the best employees and contractors, as our labor is to the Lord.

These principles are also applicable to leisure and extra-curricular pursuits. If we apply Jesus' standards to sporting activities, volunteer pursuits, and even board games, we don't discount a strong competition, but we also adhere to the governing standards and rules. By our conduct on the field, across the game board, or serving someone else, we either exalt Christ or demean His name.

Of course, we labor as to the Lord and not men. At times these standards may conflict, and when they do, we must appeal to the standards of Scripture and assume the consequences in the present. This may, or may not happen, as it should not hinder the quality of the work, but standards must be upheld.

Do not discount "non-spiritual " pursuits. These are a form of worship.