Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. – Ephesians 6:7 – 8

A clear pattern has been established throughout Ephesians 5 & 6; that in all we do, we do it for Christ’s sake.

Be subject to one another in the fear of Christ…

Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord…

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ…

Children, obey your parents in the Lord…

And this passage is no exception.

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord…

So why the emphasis on ensuring our actions are first to the Lord, before people? As we see time and time again throughout scripture, God seeks to humble his people. For instance, when speaking about the Pharisees Jesus proclaimed, “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted” Matthew 23:12. Or similarly, Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” By doing what we do for Christ’s sake, it causes us to question our motivations, put aside our pride, and in humility compare our heart’s desire with Christ’s desire for us. In doing so God says he will reward us, but this is not necessarily in a physical sense, that is ‘treasure on earth, where moths and vermin destroy’ Matthew 6:19 (e.g. promotion), but in a spiritual sense. Our reward comes through our spiritual growth in humility, putting Christ at the forefront of our actions and as a result, “storing up for yourselves treasures in heaven” Matthew 6:20.

Joel Bulow – Creek Road Campus