Do . . .as Unto the Lord

Col. 3:23-24.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

The illustration above shows a farmer somewhere who probably started at dawn and worked to sunset. What he’s doing is hard work! Dirty, slow, hot, sweat-producing work. I don’t know if he’s a believer, but if he is, he is to do that work with full effort; he is to do it as unto the Lord, and not to please men.

I dislike housework, always have. Even as a little kid in my parents’ home, dusting and mopping and using the carpet sweeper (before we got a vacuum cleaner!) was not enjoyable. It was an assigned chore, fully within reason. My mom worked full-time while Dad was in Bible college; he also worked. My sister and I were competent enough to take care of the cleaning, and we always did it with the understanding that it had better meet our parents’ expectations.

I don’t remember the first time I became aware of this verse, but I do remember realizing that my attitude needed an adjustment. I started singing while I worked, “church” songs; and I started reciting my Bible memory work. The necessary chores become less burdensome when I quit griping inwardly about having to do them.

Later, I learned to be thankful that my babies were healthy and that their digestive systems were working properly, even when changing a particularly nasty diaper. I learned to pray for the person whose garment I was ironing while I worked. I learned to thank the Lord for the house He provided for our growing family. Terry and I had prayerfully chosen for me to stay home while our kids were little, a decision I’ve never regretted.

The point is, when I learned to do repetitive, mundane household chores unto the Lord, those chores became less onerous. I knew that God’s blessing would be there for me when I worked with a thankful heart.

What is the reward of the inheritance? In this context, reward means recompense, repayment. The inheritance, according to Strong’s, is:

1. what is given to one as a possession
   1. the eternal blessedness of the consummated kingdom of God which is to be expected after the visible return of Christ
   2. the share which an individual will have in that eternal blessedness

In short, we will be rewarded in heaven for the work we do in His Name here on earth. Every toilet that is cleaned as unto the Lord (aren’t you thankful for indoor plumbing!) will have its reward in heaven. The most humble work we do here, in His Name, will earn its reward there because we do it for Him, and not to please men.

“Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink; or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” I Corinthians 10:31.