Worship Through Work

Ephesians 6:7 – “Rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man.”

There is a kind of service that is technically obedient but deeply reluctant. It checks every box, fulfills every requirement, and yet feels cold, heavy, and uninviting. The hands move, but the heart drags behind. Paul addresses this not by raising expectations, but by lifting our eyes to the One we ultimately serve. He shifts our gaze from man to Christ, from obligation to worship. In this single verse, he offers a glimpse into the transforming power of Christ-centered work.

The phrase “rendering service” comes from the Greek douleuontes, from the same root as doulos, the very word for bondservant or slave. It implies not merely doing a job, but embodying a life of continual service. The word carries the idea of wholehearted commitment to another’s benefit, not just task execution. It reflects the identity of one who exists to serve.

What makes this particularly Christian is not the task itself, but the manner in which it is performed: with a good will as to the Lord and not to man. This kind of work flows from a transformed heart, a will that has been reshaped by grace. The Greek word eunoia translated “good will” speaks to more than just positive feelings. It conveys benevolence, eagerness, and cheerful intention. It is the attitude of someone who wants to do good and does not wait to be compelled. This kind of heart is not natural to us. It must be born by the Spirit. In our flesh, we resist lowly tasks. We bristle under criticism, delay when unmotivated, and quietly withdraw when we feel unseen. We may do the work, but without eunoia, it lacks joy. It lacks the aroma of Christ.

But when our service is truly to the Lord, even the most menial task takes on dignity. The sweeping of a floor, the scheduling of a meeting, the entering of data, the lifting of a box, or the balancing of a ledger, all become sacred acts when offered to Christ. They are not wasted movements, but poured-out worship. This is what Paul means when he says, “as to the Lord and not to man.” The phrase is not a footnote. It is the anchor of the entire exhortation. It redefines the laborer’s purpose and reassigns the recipient of the work. We may serve a manager, a board, a client, or a company, but our true audience is Christ. This is not metaphor. It is reality. Every task is performed before His eyes, under His lordship, and for His pleasure.

This mindset guards us against bitterness. It keeps us from grumbling when others are promoted, when our work is ignored, or when we are taken for granted. If our work is “unto the Lord,” it is never wasted, just as Mary’s perfume was never wasted as it was poured out upon Jesus’ feet. We are not performing for men, we are ministering to Christ. And Christ is no taskmaster. He is a gracious Master, kind and just, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. This also calls into question how we serve even those who are unworthy. We do not render service based on how our earthly masters treat us, but based on how Christ has treated us. He is our reference point. This is what makes Christian work ethic so radically different. It is not reactive, it is redemptive. We respond to Christ, not to circumstance.

It is worth noting that Paul does not distinguish here between “spiritual” and “secular” work. There is no hierarchy of value in the Christian vocation. All labor is sacred when done with a good will to the Lord. A teacher, a cook, a janitor, a lawyer, a cashier, and a mother changing diapers all stand on equal ground when their labor is done for Christ. The value is not in the visibility of the role, but in the sincerity of the offering. We will not receive heavens acculations for rising higher in our careers and achieving titles and higher income brackets, but for faithfulness in our roles and responsibilities working to the best of our knowledge and capabilities that God Himself equipped, empowered and called us to at every level and in every position. Did we work for Him for His good pleasure?

This is not abstract theology. It is the theology of Monday morning. It is the theology that reshapes our posture at the office, in the warehouse, on the phone, or behind the register. It makes all work a holy calling. And perhaps most of all, this posture of cheerful, willing service protects us from despair. It is hard to labor long when our work seems unfruitful. It is easy to grow weary when no one notices, when our contributions are overlooked, or when others take credit. But this verse reminds us that we do not serve for man’s reward. We serve for a kingdom that cannot be shaken and for a Master who never forgets and who always sees.

When we render service with a good will, we are not just obeying, we are worshiping. We are embodying the character of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve, who washed the feet of His own disciples, who took on the form of a servant and became obedient even unto death. We are not greater than our Master. But in every act of faithful labor, we reflect Him. So let us render our service with joy, with cheerfulness, with a good will, not as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ. Let our workplaces become altars. Let our labor be our offering. Let every task, however small, be done unto Him who sees in secret and rewards in eternity.