Jack Larson (Peak Autumn)

dv0719-Daily Verse

Author: Stephen Weller
1,261 words, 7 minutes read time

Our Inheritance

²³ Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV)

These two verses are found at the end of the last section of chapter three in which rules for Christian households are listed. These rules include the following: wives, submit to your husbands; husbands, love your wives; children, obey your parents; fathers, do not provoke your children; and bondservants, obey your masters. We are next on the list and are told that when we go to work, we are to do our work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

This instruction to work heartily parallels verse 17: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” In the context of these verses, the instruction to work heartily is given to the slaves. Since we do not have slaves today and we do the work, then the instruction would include us as we go to work.

This is not necessarily easy to do as I once had a supervisor, who made certain to stop by my office each morning to tell me that he would find something to make my day difficult. I lived with this abuse for nearly a decade and continued to do the assigned work as though my supervisor was the Lord and above him in authority. The day came when the Lord opened the door to another job that became a real blessing in my life. Being willing to work as unto the Lord can be good training for the time when we may have to live under persecution. That previous job provided me with some insight into that kind of living.

Whether we are a slave or an employee, as believers we have the Lord as a master over us who we are accountable to; an accountability not just over our work of employment, but also over the good works assigned to us in Ephesians 2:10. As we do this work as servants of Jesus Christ, maybe while being mistreated, we are serving the greatest person in the universe and our reward will be an inheritance.

⁸ “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, ⁹ obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8 – 9 EV). That salvation occurred because of ³ “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3 – 5 ESV). Whatever that inheritance is it is going to be good and should motivate us to walk with Jesus Christ in such a way that we can receive all that can be ours.

Father thank you for that living hope that we have in Jesus Christ of an inheritance reserved for us and kept for us by your power.

The Following Addendum Is Provided by ChatGPT

Summary Theme

Serving Christ Wholeheartedly in Every Task

Summary Paragraph

Colossians 3:23–24 teaches believers that every responsibility, whether large or small, should be performed with wholehearted devotion because their ultimate Master is Jesus Christ. Paul reminds Christians that their labor is not merely for human employers, family members, or earthly recognition, but for the Lord Himself. This perspective transforms ordinary work into an act of worship and faithful service. God sees every act of obedience, diligence, and integrity, and He promises an eternal inheritance to those who faithfully serve Christ. These verses encourage believers to pursue excellence, not to earn salvation, but as a grateful response to the grace they have received, knowing that their true reward comes from the Lord.

Discussion Questions with Extended Answers:

1. What does Paul mean when he says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men”?

Answer:
Paul teaches that believers should approach every task with enthusiasm, sincerity, and excellence because they are ultimately serving Christ. Whether a person is employed in a workplace, caring for a family, volunteering in ministry, or performing unseen acts of service, God is the true recipient of faithful work. This attitude changes our motivation. Instead of working only when someone is watching or seeking human praise, Christians work with integrity because Christ always sees their efforts. Every responsibility becomes an opportunity to glorify God through faithfulness, diligence, and love.

2. How does serving Christ change our attitude toward difficult or unpleasant work?

Answer:
Knowing that Christ is our true Master gives purpose to even the most difficult responsibilities. Earthly work may involve unfair treatment, repetitive tasks, or little recognition, but believers understand that God values faithful obedience more than worldly applause. This perspective produces perseverance, humility, and joy because the Christian knows that no act of faithful service is wasted. When work is offered to Christ as worship, even ordinary duties become spiritually significant and contribute to God’s larger purposes.

3. What is the “inheritance” Paul refers to in verse 24?

Answer:
The inheritance is the eternal reward promised to all who belong to Christ. Under the Old Testament, an inheritance often referred to the land promised to Israel. Paul expands this concept to include the believer’s eternal blessings in Christ—everlasting life, fellowship with God, the kingdom of heaven, and rewards for faithful service. Salvation itself is a gift of grace, not earned by works, but Scripture also teaches that faithful believers will receive rewards from the Lord for lives lived in obedience and devotion (1 Corinthians 3:12–15; 2 Corinthians 5:10). This promise encourages Christians to remain faithful regardless of earthly circumstances.

4. Why does Paul conclude by saying, “You are serving the Lord Christ”?

Answer:
Paul wants believers to remember who their true Master is. Human authorities, employers, or leaders may supervise our work, but Christ is the One whom we ultimately serve. This truth elevates every aspect of daily life into an opportunity for worship. It also provides comfort because earthly leaders may be unfair or fail to appreciate faithful service, but Christ is perfectly just and fully aware of every sacrifice made for Him. Recognizing Jesus as Lord shapes our priorities, strengthens our commitment to excellence, and keeps our focus on eternal rather than temporary rewards.

5. How can these verses influence the way Christians live each day?

Answer:
Colossians 3:23–24 encourages believers to view every day as an opportunity to honor God. Whether at work, at home, in church, or in the community, Christians are called to serve with diligence, honesty, compassion, and excellence. This passage challenges believers to reject laziness, resentment, and the desire for human approval. Instead, they are to cultivate a heart that seeks God’s pleasure above all else. Living with this eternal perspective transforms ordinary routines into acts of worship, strengthens personal integrity, and reminds believers that Christ Himself will faithfully reward every act of service done for His glory.