Work as Worship

Introduction: Redefining Work

Let me start with a question: How do you see your job? Is it just a means to an end, a necessary evil to get by in life? Or perhaps a task that you can't wait to be done with at the end of the day? We often separate our spiritual lives from our work lives, believing that worship happens on Sundays in church, and work happens from Monday to Friday at the office or job site.

But God’s Word invites us to see our work differently, not as a mundane, secular activity, but as an opportunity to worship Him. In Colossians 3:23, Paul writes, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." This verse challenges us to rethink our work as a sacred calling—a form of worship. Today, we’ll look at three key ideas that show how God cares about the work we do, how our attitude at work is part of our Christian witness, and how working with excellence is an offering to God.

Colossians 3:23 CSB

23 Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people,

Seeing your job as a form of worship to God.

1. God cares about the work you do.

We begin with the foundational truth that God cares about the work we do. Work is not a curse or merely a survival mechanism. In fact, work is rooted in God’s original design for humanity. From the very beginning, in Genesis 2:15, we see that God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden to “work it and keep it.” Work, therefore, was part of the good creation.

It’s important to recognize that God doesn’t value one type of work more than another. Whether you’re a teacher, a nurse, a mechanic, or a stay-at-home parent, God values your contribution. In the New Testament, we see Jesus spending the first 30 years of His life working as a carpenter. If work was important enough for the Son of God to do, then it’s important in the eyes of the Father.

Illustration: I heard a story once about a janitor working at NASA during the space race in the 1960s. One day, President Kennedy visited the space center, and he saw the janitor sweeping the floor. The President asked him, “What are you doing here?” The janitor responded, “I’m helping put a man on the moon.” He understood that his role, no matter how seemingly small, was part of a larger mission.

Take a moment, and reflect on this idea. The janitor knew something that most of us struggle with, the purpose of his work. He kept the building clean so that the scientists, engineers, and astronauts could focus on their mission of putting “man on the moon”. They did not have to worry about spending their time on trashcans, bathrooms, or hallways. He did that for them. He saw where his contribution fit in the organization. He connected his purpose with theirs.

Would Peyton Manning be a superbowl champion without his lineman? Reciever? Defensive team?

Simone Biles six-time World All-Around Champion, she he already has two gymnastics skills named after her (the Biles on floor and the Biles on vault). without her parents support, driving her to early practices and workouts? Her coaches guiding and challenging her to be her best. The olympic team that together achieved great things?

In the same way, your work—whatever it may be—is part of God’s mission. He sees it, He values it, and He calls you to approach it with purpose.

2. Your attitude in the workplace is part of your witness.

The second point is that your attitude in the workplace is a significant part of your witness as a Christian. In Colossians 3:23, Paul instructs us to work “heartily” or “with all your heart.” This isn't just about performing tasks with energy but also doing them with the right attitude.

When you go to work each day, your coworkers are watching. They may know that you are a Christian, but how you act, speak, and respond to stress at work reveals what you really believe. Grumbling about your boss or cutting corners might be acceptable in the world, but it diminishes your testimony as a follower of Christ.

Biblical Exegesis: Paul is writing this letter to the Colossians to instruct them on Christian conduct. This verse specifically follows a set of instructions for how different groups of people—wives, husbands, children, and workers—should behave. Paul’s message is simple: our behavior in every role, including work, reflects our relationship with God. For the early Christians, many of whom were slaves or laborers in difficult conditions, Paul’s words carried a profound truth. Working with a good attitude was not about pleasing their human masters but about honoring God.

Illustration: There’s a powerful story of Brother Lawrence, a 17th-century monk who worked in the kitchen of his monastery. He famously practiced what he called the “presence of God,” seeking to remain mindful of God in everything he did, even while scrubbing pots and pans. He said, “I turn the cake that is frying on the pan for love of Him, and that done, if there is nothing else to call me, I prostrate myself in worship before Him who has given me grace to work.” His attitude transformed even the most mundane tasks into acts of worship.

Instead of “I have to do that.” I do this for the glory of God!

How would our work be different if we saw every task as an opportunity to honor God?

3. Work with excellence as an offering to God.

1 Peter 2:5 CSB

5 you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Finally, we are called to work with excellence because our work is an offering to God. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Paul’s command here is clear: we are not working just to satisfy our bosses or customers, but to please God Himself. This should change our motivation entirely.

Working with excellence doesn't mean being a perfectionist, but it does mean striving to do your best, not cutting corners, and honoring God with your skills and talents. When you work with integrity, when you put your best effort into a task, you are worshiping God.

Biblical Exegesis: In the broader context of Colossians 3, Paul is calling Christians to live transformed lives in every aspect of life, including work. In verse 24, he follows up by saying, “You are serving the Lord Christ.” In other words, Jesus is the true Master we serve, even in our jobs. Every piece of work you do is a way to serve Him and reflect His glory.

Illustration: There’s an old story about two stonecutters. When asked what they were doing, the first replied, “I’m cutting this stone into a perfect square.” The second said, “I’m building a cathedral.” While both were doing the same task, the second stonecutter saw his work as part of something much bigger and grander. Similarly, when we approach our work as something that honors God, we see it as part of building His kingdom, not just as an individual task.

God calls us to rise to a heavenly perspective. When you see work as mundane, your attitude falls. But when your heart lifts toward God, your spirit soars.

Attitude DETERMINES ALTITUDE.

You want a better work life, work for the best boss, Jesus!

Let’s build some cathedrals together for Jesus!

-Application:

Worship Through Work: Pick one task this week and do it as an act of worship. Give it your full effort, as if you’re doing it for God Himself.

Transform the Mundane: Take something routine in your day—whether at work or school—and see it through the lens of God’s Kingdom. Let it reflect His purpose.

Pray Your Work: Write a short prayer, offering your daily tasks to God. Ask Him to use your work to glorify Him, turning it into a blessing for His glory.

Upcoming Messages:

Integrity in the Workplace

Balancing Ambition and Humility

Making an Impact in Your Workplace