Laboring Well

I've been thinking lately about what it is to labor well and be faithful in work. It troubles me to see how pervasive a "slacker" mentality is reaching, even in Christian circles and even in my own heart.

I've been reading through Ephesians lately, and Eph 6:5-8 stands out to me:

Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ, not by way of eyeservice as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

Elisabeth Elliot has a meditation called "The Gift of Work" in her Keep a Quiet Heart. Here is a helpful portion:

Wouldn't it make an astounding difference, not only in the quality of the work we do (in office, schoolroom, factory, kitchen, or backyard), but also in our satisfaction, even our joy, if we recognized God's gracious gift in every single task, from making a bed or bathing a baby to drawing a blueprint or selling a computer? If our children saw us doing "heartily as unto the Lord" all the work we do, they would learn true happiness. Instead of feeling that they must be allowed to do what they like, they would learn to like what they do. (101)