27 September 2005 Devotion for Today “A Fair Day’s Pay” Colossians 3:22-25
22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for[a] you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.” Colossians 3:22-25
Some years ago, the late actor John Houseman was the spokesman representing the financial planning firm Smith Barney. With the bull-dog like face he was famous for, he would say on the commercial: “At Smith Barney we make money the old fashioned way- we EARN it!” That commercial was very effective, encouraging would-be investors to invest their money with that firm because they could be trusted to work hard. A few weeks ago my sixteen-year-old went to work for a local steakhouse. I gave him the lecture of the value of working a decent day’s work for a decent day’s pay. He came home tired and when he did I was glad because I knew he was earning his pay. He complained however that there were others shirking their responsibilities, hiding out or taking a “smoke break” when they should be working. “They get away with it, dad,” he said, “Nobody says anything to them but that makes me have to work harder because they are not doing what they should be doing.” “Welcome to life, son,” I said, “You are going to find this all your life. But the ones who really get anywhere in this life are going to be the ones who gain their boss’s approval for doing more than what they expect them to do. The sluff-offs might still get paid, but they won’t get ahead.”
Its probably true that many employers expect employees not to work hard or to do what is expected, but that should never be said of the Christian. The Christian ought to stand out for working hard and for going above and beyond what is expected. He ought never to be discovered ditching work or frittering away the boss’s time. One of the best witnesses we can have on the job is a good attitude when facing unpleasant tasks or having to work in unpleasant conditions. We should never be overheard talking about how unfair the boss is or the how little we are getting paid for having to do what we do.
When Paul wrote this epistle in Colossians, much of the world operated on slavery. Physical abuse of employees was standard practice and there were no unions to ensure fair labor practices and safe working environments. For an employee to challenge his master it meant death, not just getting fired. The unskilled workers were at the mercy of their employers just to live another day. I am certainly not suggesting that we go back to that kind of life, only that we as Christians do not fall into the kind of attitude that is so prevalent in the work-place today.
It may be that we do not attract the notice of our employer if we do a good job, but that is not the reason for working hard and earning a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s pay. Our reward and advancement is from a level much higher then he- for when we clock in every morning, we clock in for the Lord and work for Him. Any reward or bonus we get, it comes from Jesus whether we ever receive an advance in pay or not. And what about the sluff-off’s? Paul says, “He that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done; for there is no respect of persons.”
What is your attitude toward your work today? Be cheerful as you begin your day. Throughout it keep that smile and your pleasant, Christ-like disposition. Try not to cut corners or to fall into the temptation to “sluff-off” like the others. Never let anyone have to speak to you about getting back to work. Come back from lunch when you are supposed to and don’t make a habit of leaving work early. When you do these things don’t be surprised when your superiors, those having more advancement and education than you do having to come to you asking how to perform the tasks they are supposed to be doing. Believe me, this will not escape the notice of your boss, and it won’t escape God’s attention, either. Have a blessed day!
No comments:
Post a Comment