The Bible Edge
Everyone needs an Edge, Believers can have the Bible Edge
Colossians 3:23
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
There is no better edge for the workplace than to live the above verse. Doing everything on your job, in your life, your marriage, your recreation, your ministry heartily, as to the Lord is a goal worth pursuing. Why? The very next verse: Colossians 3:24. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. “The reward of the inheritance.” I don’t even know what that means but it sounds like something I would like to have.
An inheritance is something someone else earns or possesses (most often a parent) and they give it to you out of love. They own it, then they give it for you to own. But notice who will give you this reward of the inheritance. The Lord…of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance. Why, because whatsoever you do, you do it heartily unto Him. The inheritance spoken of here is not one given in love, but of debt. You may think that you work for so many dollars per hour, or per week, or per job, or per year. But then this brings your earnings, your reward, to a whole other level. A supernatural level.
The Bible states clearly that…ye shall receive the reward… A reward is something you receive based upon something that you did. You worked heartily for the Lord Christ, the Lord rewards you with an inheritance. But wait! This begs a question. When will the inheritance be given? No doubt in this life in a measure. But more amazingly, it will be received in the next life without measure and for eternity.
Think about this. Jesus promises in Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. In the last book of the Bible, the last chapter, the last few words, we read this promise of receiving the eternal reward of the Lord based upon our works on earth. It is almost more than a human could hope. But it is there in red and white for all to see and read.
So, today and every day from henceforth while on earth whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;. Look past the boss, the paycheck, and the accolades. Look for the future reward of inheritance that the Lord will give to those who heartily work for Him by working for others. That is a Bible Edge too few will ever grasp and even fewer will perform. But for those who do, wow! What a future!
William Howe, Ph.D.