Work as Worship: Eternal Rewards for Faithful Service

Name: 331. Working To Win
Uploaded: 2026-03-28T15:11:56.280724+00:00
Duration: 28 min 30 s
Channel: Transformed By Grace
Description: Summary and key takeaways on 331. Working To Win: Summary & Key Takeaways, covering The Example of Wilbert Williams Wilbert Williams served as a doorman at the

Transformed By Grace

Mar 28, 2026

•

28 min video

•

3 min read

YouTube video ID: HaONrGp3d7s

Source: YouTube video by Transformed By Grace — Watch original video

PDF

Wilbert Williams served as a doorman at the Woman’s Athletic Club for nearly forty years. Upon his retirement on December 2 2004 the city honored him with an honorary street name, “Wilbert Williams Way.” Such recognition is usually reserved for influential figures, yet Williams received it because of his exemplary service, kindness, and gentlemanly conduct. He never spoke harshly and always helped others, motivated by the thought, “If I was in a different city, I’d like someone to help me.” His story illustrates that faithful service in ordinary employment can bring honor that surpasses earthly accolades.

The Divine Origin and Dignity of Work

Work originates from God’s own design. Before the fall, God gave Adam the task of tending the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15), making work a dignified part of representing His image. Scripture affirms that God Himself is a worker who never rests, continuously sustaining creation. Jesus said, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work,” confirming the Creator’s ongoing activity. When believers labor faithfully, they reflect God’s godliness and likeness.

Biblical Principles for Believers in the Workplace (Colossians 3:22‑23)

Obedience

Employees are instructed to obey their earthly masters in all things, carrying that obedience from home into the workplace. This obedience is ultimately directed toward God and does not require compromising faith or law.

Avoiding Eyeservice and People‑Pleasing

Believers should not work only when watched or seek the approval of men. Integrity demands diligent, thorough work regardless of observation, because the Lord sees all.

Singleness of Heart and Fearing God

Work must be performed with sincerity, without pretense, genuinely desiring to please God. “Fearing God” implies reverence that shapes a single‑hearted approach.

Doing Work Heartily

Christians are called to put their heart and soul into their tasks, doing everything wholeheartedly as an act of worship and love for God.

Serving the Lord, Not Men

The ultimate motivation is to serve the Lord Jesus Christ rather than merely the boss or paycheck. This perspective transforms attitude and performance, turning ordinary duties into worship.

The Reward of the Inheritance

Distinction Between Inheritance and Reward

The “inheritance of the saints in light” refers to salvation, received by grace through faith, not by works. In contrast, the “reward of the inheritance” is earned through faithful service to Christ in one’s work and can be won or lost.

The Judgment Seat of Christ

Believers will stand before the Lord at the Judgment Seat (Romans 14:10, 12; 2 Corinthians 5:10) to give an account of their lives and service.

Consequences of Wrongdoing

Habitual disobedience, eyeservice, or working for men instead of God results in the withholding of heavenly rewards. This loss reflects a failure to do what is right.

Rewards Are Glorious and Eternal

Rewards come from Christ’s hands, are eternal possessions, glorify Christ, and demonstrate His pleasure with faithful service.

Application to Employers and Masters

Employers are instructed to treat their employees with justice and fairness, dealing equitably and avoiding mistreatment. They, too, are accountable to their Master in heaven. Just and equitable treatment of workers will result in heavenly rewards, while cruelty or abuse will lead to withheld rewards.

Conclusion: The Eternal Significance of Daily Work

Every day’s work carries eternal significance. Even seemingly mundane or repetitive tasks matter to Christ, who sees, remembers, and will reward faithful service done for His glory. The focus, therefore, should be on the ultimate, eternal rewards from Christ, which surpass any earthly retirement plan.

Takeaways

Wilbert Williams’ honor as a doorman shows that exemplary service in any role can earn lasting recognition beyond worldly accolades.
Work was part of God’s original plan for humanity, reflecting His image and continuous activity in creation.
Biblical principles call believers to obey, avoid eyeservice, work heartily, and serve the Lord rather than merely human masters.
The inheritance of salvation differs from the reward of the inheritance, which believers earn through faithful service and receive at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Employers who treat workers justly share in heavenly rewards, while unjust treatment leads to withheld blessings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the speaker say work is an act of worship?

Work is called an act of worship because it reflects God’s own continual activity and aligns believers with His image. When a Christian performs tasks wholeheartedly for God’s glory, the labor becomes a tangible expression of devotion, mirroring the Creator’s ongoing work.

What is the difference between inheritance and reward in the biblical teaching?

Inheritance refers to the salvation believers receive by grace through faith, a gift that cannot be earned. Reward, however, is the “reward of the inheritance” earned by faithful service in one’s work and is granted at the Judgment Seat of Christ, and it can be lost through disobedience.

Who is Transformed By Grace on YouTube?

Transformed By Grace is a YouTube channel that publishes videos on a range of topics. Browse more summaries from this channel below.

Does this page include the full transcript of the video?

Yes, the full transcript for this video is available on this page. Click 'Show transcript' in the sidebar to read it.

Helpful resources related to this video

If you want to practice or explore the concepts discussed in the video, these commonly used tools may help.

Christian Books On Work And Faith Recommended

Books that explore the intersection of Christian faith and the workplace can provide further guidance and encouragement on applying biblical principles to daily employment, as discussed in the transcript.

Amazon →

Bible Commentary On Colossians 3

A Bible commentary on Colossians 3 would offer in-depth explanations of the verses (3:22-23) that are central to the transcript's discussion on Christian conduct in the workplace, providing context and deeper theological insights.

Amazon →

Journal For Reflection On Work And Faith

A journal can help individuals process and apply the principles of 'work as worship' and Christian conduct in their daily jobs, encouraging reflection on their attitude, diligence, and motivation.

Amazon →

Links may be affiliate links. We only include resources that are genuinely relevant to the topic.

Summarize another video

Full Transcript YouTube

ANNOUNCER #1>> (Music) Welcome
to Transformed by Grace,
an in-depth Bible
study of God's Word
presented by the
Berean Bible Society.
Join us each time on
this station as Pastor Kevin
brings the transforming
message of God's Grace
revealed through the
Holy Scriptures.
(Music)
PASTOR KEVIN SADLER>>
You've probably never heard
of Wilbert Williams. He
wasn't famous or rich.
Still, Williams received
an honor normally reserved
for the connected, powerful,
and wealthy. The city of
Chicago designated an
honorary street as Wilbert
Williams Way on December 2,
2004. The honor was
in celebration of his
retirement. What did someone
as unknown as Williams
do to deserve such a tribute?
The question becomes even
more compelling when you
realize that for nearly 40
years, Wilbert Williams
worked at the Woman's
Athletic Club as a doorman.
Normally, an honorary
street sign goes to people
who get the door held open
for them, not to the one
holding the door.
What set Williams apart? He
carried out his duties
in an exemplary fashion.
Police Officer Paul
O'Donnell said, In all
these years I never heard
him speak a harsh word
about anyone. He was
a gentleman. Through his
kindness and service to
others, Williams made an
impact on those whom he
met at the corner of
Michigan and Ontario.
Commenting on why he
always helped tourists,
pointing them in the right
direction, Williams said,
If I was in a different
city, I'd like someone to
help me. Having a street
named in your honor is
impressive. But how much
greater the honor that
God promises to give
to those who serve
Him well, even in their
daily employment, as
He promises an eternal
inheritance that will
never spoil or fade away.
Colossians 3:22-23 read:
Servants, obey in all
things your masters
according to the flesh;
not with eyeservice,
as menpleasers; but in
singleness of heart,
fearing God: And
whatsoever ye do, do it
heartily, as to the Lord,
and not unto men. Much of
our lives is given to work.
For the majority of us,
most weeks and most days
are given to a job
or some kind of work.
Work is a significant part
of who we are and what we
give ourselves to day in
and day out, and year in
and year out. Work
is God's idea. Work was included
as a part of God's
original plan for man. It
existed before the fall of
mankind and the curse of sin.
In Genesis 2:15 we read
that: ...the LORD God took
the man, and put him into
the garden of Eden to
dress it and to keep it.
God gave man work to do.
Adam was given a job by
God to be the gardener in
Eden. Work was an important
and dignified part of
representing the image
of God and serving Him.
Adam's responsibility was
to make sure that the
trees and plants were
tended and had appropriate
care. He was a guardian and
a steward of the Garden
of Eden's wonders and
resources. Working is an
important part of being
godly, or god-like, because
God Himself is a worker.
God is never idle. He
never slumbers or sleeps.
He is always active.
He continually works and
sustains His creation
upholding all things by
the Word of His power...
And He works in us,
...both to will and to do
of His good pleasure. In
John 5:17, Christ told
those who challenged Him
about healing on the Sabbath:
But Jesus answered them,
saying My Father worketh
hitherto, and I work.
Worketh hitherto means that
the Father has been
working until now and has
never ceased working. So,
when we work, when we
work faithfully
in our employment, it manifests
godliness in our lives in
being like our Creator.
In verses 22-23, Paul
gives instruction for the
believer who is under the
authority to another in the
workplace. And he answers
the question, What should
the believer's work
like look like? For many
believers, God has called
for the workplace to be
their primary mission
field. It is where we
spend the most time, and
often where we are around
the most people. The way we
work is a testimony to
a watching world, and it
is where we can be a
strong witness to Christ
and to the grace of God.
Our relationship to work
should be and can be
radically different from
the world's because of
Christ. Paul starts off this
chapter in Colossians 3:1:
If ye then be risen
with Christ...
And then he goes on to
demonstrate how the
believer's life can be
lived on a different and
a higher plane now. A
man came home from work
one day and told his
wife, I got let go
from my job today.
And she asked, Well,
what happened? And he
replied, Well, the boss
called me in for a meeting
and he said, You're in
charge of safety here.
What steps would you
take in the event of a
fire? And all I did was
reply, Really big ones.
Paul speaks here of the
believer's response to his
boss at work. And the
first thing that
the believer's work life
should be characterized
by is obedience. Paul
had just written a couple
of verses earlier:
Children, obey your
parents in all things...
Here in verse 22 he wrote:
Servants, obey in all things...
The obedience the child
learns from their parents
in the home is important
for the rest of their
lives. And it is to carry
into the workplace.
And for the employee,
there is to be obedience
in all things to our
masters according to the
flesh, or our earthly
masters, or our bosses.
Paul did not write here,
obey your earthly masters
when they're being
fair and reasonable.
Rather, it is obey your
bosses no matter what
they're like in everything.
In doing so, obedience in
the workplace is ultimately
obedience to God. Of
course, this instruction by
Paul is not expecting the
believer to compromise
their faith, do something
contrary to the Word of
God, or to break the law.
But the thrust is that God
expects us to respect and
cooperate with the people
we work for to do as we're
instructed. Before God,
believing employees owe
submission and obedience
to their employers or
supervisors. The second
thing that the believer's
work like should be
characterized by is...
not with eyeservice as
menpleasers... Eyeservice is
pretty easy to understand,
referring to one who just
works hard when he or she
knows somebody's watching.
And therefore is a
menpleaser, seeking to
gain the praise and favor
of men. But a person
that works only with
eyeservice, when they know
they aren't being watched
anymore, then the quality,
effort, and thoroughness
of their work drops off.
The type of work Paul
expects from a believing
employee has nothing to do
with whether we are being
watched or not, or whether
we will get credit or not.
Christ expects his church
to be people of integrity,
and to work diligently all
the time, even when no
earthly master is watching.
We do so knowing that
the Lord, our Master in
heaven sees all that we
do all the time. As
Proverbs 5:21 says: For the
ways of man are before the
eyes of the LORD, and
He pondereth all his goings.
The third thing that the
believer's work life
should be characterized by
is... in singleness of heart,
fearing God... The word,
singleness, means sincerity
without duplicity; the
virtue of one who is free
from pretense and hypocrisy.
This is a sincerity that
comes from one's heart, or
man's deepest innermost
being. God's grace reaches
for our heart. And Christ
desires to change our
heart. This is a sincerity
of heart here in wanting
to do what is right and
good in the sight of God.
Our respect and cooperation
in our jobs and to our
bosses isn't simply to be
superficial, but genuine,
from the heart, sincerely
focused on wanting to
please the Lord by how we
work. God doesn't want
us to keep an eye only on
the clock, or to keep an
eye out for others and
only working when they
are watching. He wants us
to keep our eyes on Christ.
And He can transform how
we work when we realize
that we are ultimately
serving Him in our jobs.
There's much more to work
for the believer than just
punching the clock, doing
the job we're paid to do,
and then punching out.
We're called to do it
with a godly
attitude, industrious spirit, as
a testimony for Christ,
and fearing God..., Paul adds.
And that's an interesting
addition to this verse,
fearing God. And that
speaks of reverence to Him.
You might be thinking, I
thought we were talkin'
about work here not church.
How do we make copies
on a copy machine, or
design software, or drive
a bus, or flip a hamburger
fearing God? Your job,
no matter what it is, can
be and is to be an act
of worship. God desires
our work to be done in
faith and reverence
to Him. Jerry DeLuca wrote: As
believers we sometimes
exalt spiritual work and
downplay simple labor.
However, any work, no
matter how mundane, that is
done for God is spiritual work.
Every believer can
serve the Lord in their
job, whatever job that is.
And thus, any work or
job becomes a ministry.
Often man gets it backwards
and looks to, looks to
their jobs or their career
to provide them with meaning
and bring significance
to their lives. But
for the believer, Christ is the
One who gives meaning
and significance to our lives.
Thus, we do not look for
meaning to our life by our
work or career. We bring
meaning to it as we work
in an attitude of worship
to God fearing God. The
fourth thing that the
believer's work should
characterized by is ...and
whatsoever ye do, do it
heartily... Whatsoever ye
do is a comprehensive
statement. All of us
belongs to God, body,
soul, and spirit. All
of life is Christian.
All we do is to be set
apart to Him and for His
glory. And whatever we do,
that is, in our daily
employment, we are to do
it heartily or put, put
our heart and soul into
what we do, doing it
wholeheartedly to the
best of our ability.
The Lord told Israel in
His earthly ministry: And
thou shalt love the Lord
thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy
soul, and with all thy
mind, and with all thy
strength... And that is
the language of worship of
God, giving all of ourselves
to Him. And in the
workplace too, in whatever
we do, we are called to
work with the intensity and
devotion of our love and
service toward God, doing
what we do heartily. The
fifth thing that the
believer's work life should
be characterized by is that
it is to be done as to
the Lord, and not unto
men. Henry Giles said
this: Men and women must
work. That is as certain
as the sun. But we may
work grudgingly or we may
work gratefully. We
may work as people or
machines. There is no
work so rude that we may
not exalt it; no work
so impassive that we may
not breathe a soul into
it; no work so dull
that we may not enliven it
if we understand that what
we are doing is service
for our Lord Jesus Christ.
For every working believer,
no matter what we do, no
matter where we do it,
no matter whom we do it
for or with, the Lord is
the One we are actually and
ultimately working for.
Working just for the boss
or just for the pay check
often leads to doing just
enough. But this view
of work, however, that we
work for the Lord in
whatever we do, that is
meant by God to transform
a worker's attitude
and performance. And
because we are truly
serving the Lord in our
jobs, Paul wrote that the
Lord is going to justly
reward that one day.
Colossians 3:24-25 read:
Knowing that of the Lord
ye shall receive the
reward of the inheritance:
for ye serve the Lord
Christ. But he that doeth
wrong shall receive
for the wrong which he hath
done: and there is no
respect of persons. We
serve the Lord in our daily
employment knowing
something. We work knowing
that we will be rewarded
by our Master in heaven on
day. The Lord, the Lord
promises to reward those
who work with the kind of
heart and soul, integrity
and obedience mentioned
in verses 22-23. The
word, reward, means
a proper recompense. It
refers to a payment for
the work that believers
do, and whatsoever we
do in the workplace.
This reward is called the
reward of the inheritance.
First off, we must define
what our inheritance is.
Believing Israel has a
future inheritance in the
Promised Land during
Christ's earthly kingdom,
and later on, on the
New Earth in the New
Jerusalem. But for the
church, the Body of
Christ, we learn what our
inheritance is from the
message revealed to the
Apostle Paul for the
church today. And Paul
referred to the believer's
inheritance earlier in
this letter: Giving thanks
unto the Father, which
hath made us meet to
be partakers of the
inheritance of the saints
in light. When we trust
Christ as our personal
Savior, we are born again
into the family of God.
In Christ, the believer
now enters a familial
relationship that in turn
legally issues us an
inheritance called the
...inheritance of the saints
in light. Because we have
redemption through Christ's
blood, the forgiveness
of all of our sins, we
have been made fit and
qualified by the Father to
be partakers of this
inheritance eternally.
This describes the
believer's position and
standing before God in
Christ in the light and
glories of heaven which
is our inheritance.
Our inheritance in Christ
of eternity in heaven
cannot be gained by works
or lost by bad behavior.
It is all of grace, and
it is a gift received by
faith alone. However, the
reward of the inheritance
is something different
from the inheritance of
the saints in light or our
standing in Christ.
The reward of that
inheritance is something
that can be won or lost
based on our service to
Christ. Colossians 2:24
states that the one who
serves the Lord in the
workplace.. shall receive
the reward of the
inheritance: for ye serve
the Lord Christ. So, we see
the receiving and gaining of
reward by good and
faithful service rendered
to Christ in that
verse. Colossians 2:18 then also
warns the church
of the possibility of losing
rewards: Let no man
beguile you or cheat you
of your reward in a voluntary
humility and worshipping
of angels... There you see
the loss of reward due
to the following of bad
doctrine and improper worship
of angels. The reward of
the inheritance refers to
heavenly, spiritual,
eternal rewards that will
be given or withheld, won
or lost one day when we
stand before the Lord. Verse
24 states that ...of
the Lord ye shall receive
the reward of the inheritance...
When we receive this
reward of the Lord is at
the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Romans 14:10,12, tells
us: ...for we shall all stand
before the judgment seat
of Christ...So then every
one of us shall give account
of himself to God. It is at
that day of the Judgment
Seat of Christ when
each believer will individually
stand before the Lord to give
an account of himself, that
believers who faithfully
labor in their jobs and
serve the Lord in them
will be given an eternal
reward by the Lord.
Believers will be rewarded
or recompensed for serving
the Lord in the workplace.
We normally think we
receive eternal rewards
for spiritual duties
like teaching the Bible,
faithfully praying,
sharing the Gospel, doing
mission work, helping
those who are in need, and
so on. And these kind of
things will be rewarded as
they are done for Christ.
But here Paul teaches that
the church, teaches the
church that all work done
to the honor and
glory of Christ, including even
in our daily employment
will result in an
eternal reward. A lot of
people work for a raise
in their jobs. But as
believers, we should keep
our eye on the ultimate
raise and eternal rewards
that Christ will grant to
those who serve Him in
their, in their employment.
Many also think of their
retirement and know exactly
how many years they have
left until they retire.
They, they work looking
forward to retirement
and cashing in their IRSs.
They work hard. They save
for that day. And there's
nothing wrong with this.
For believers, though,
we have a day future from
one's retirement to when
we will stand before the
Lord. Think of Christ
rewarding your hard work.
That'll make any
person's IRA and long-awaited
retirement plans and
relaxation, that will
make all that fade into
nothingness. Christ's
rewards are amazing to
consider. They are something
coming from Christ's own
hands to our hands. They
are eternal and they
are our everlasting
possession. The rewards will
be glorious and they
glorify Christ because they
are service we did through
Him and for His glory.
And most importantly, they
will demonstrate and be a
testimony forever that
Christ was well-pleased
with us and our service
to Him. And that will mean
everything. Your daily
work goes into eternity.
Your job has eternal
significance. You might
feel as if your work
doesn't matter in the grand
scheme of things. You get
called out to a job for
a sink that's leaking and
to fix the pipes like
you've done a thousand
times before. And as you
do it, you wonder, What
difference does this make?
You go to your class day
in and day out and teach
the children the things
you've been teaching for
many years, and you
wonder if it is making a
difference. Work often
feels futile and pointless.
But this passage reminds
you that it isn't. What
you do matters forever.
The kids you taught
might not care the you
poured your heart and
soul into teaching them.
And they might not ever
realize how much it helped
them in their lives.
The members of the house
where you ably fixed its
plumbing, caring that you
did a good job, they won't
remember you were there
in a day or two, and they
won't remember your name.
But Christ cares. He knows.
He remembers.
And He won't forget. And He will
reward you for it one
day. And everything you
did for the glory of
Christ and as a godly
testimony for Him will be
remembered forever.
Regarding the receiving
of the reward of the
inheritance at the
Judgment Seat, Paul
further points out that at
that day, ...he that doeth
wrong shall receive for
the wrong which he hath
done: and there is no
respect of persons.
The motives, attitudes,
and conduct of believing
workmen is the issue here.
In the original Greek,
he that doeth wrong,
refers to one who is the
habitual practice of
wrongdoing. And he that doeth
wrong is obviously one who
does the opposite of what
is right. And in this
context it means to do the
opposite of everything Paul
said the work, the believing
workmen should do at the
workplace. Therefore,
doing wrong means to be
stubborn, insubordinate,
disobedient to their
masters. It means to be
working only with
eyeservice, seeking to
please men and not God,
having an attitude of
superficial respect and
cooperation, not giving
a full effort, and not
working as to the Lord.
A believing employee might
deceive his earthly master
with his eyeservice, and
he might feign respect
and it not be noticed. He
might give a half-hearted
effort and get away with it.
But these things cannot
escape the notice of
the believer's true Master, the
Lord Jesus Christ. What it
means to ...receive for
the wrong which he hath
done... is that when one
stands before the Lord at
the Judgment Seat, they
will receive for the wrong
that they have done in
the sense that they receive
nothing. The heavenly
rewards of our inheritance
that could have been
received from the Lord's
hand had they been a
faithful laborer and done
what is right, will be
withheld. Thus, the
believing worker who
consistently does not do
what was right will suffer
loss of reward for the
wrong which he hath done.
Colossians 4:1 reads:
Masters, give unto your
servants that which is
just and equal; knowing
that ye also have
a Master in heaven.
Finally, Paul addresses
believing masters or bosses.
Paul tells them to treat
their employees with justice
and fairness. The believing
employer is to deal
equitably, to be fair, and to
do right by his employees,
and to not take advantage
of them, or to treat
them poorly or unjustly.
People are not to be used
or mistreated. They are to
be loved and respected.
And believing bosses are
to do so knowing that they
are accountable, responsible,
will have to answer
to their Master in heaven
one day. Because again,
as Romans 14:12 tells us:
...every one of us shall
give account of himself to
God... at the Judgment Seat.
And at that day, as
believing employers are
judged to have treated
their workers with justice
and equity, they will
receive heavenly rewards
of the inheritance from
their master in heaven.
However, if believing
employers are cruel,
abusive, disrespectful to
their employees and treat
them unfairly, they will
receive the consequences
of their wrongdoing
without partiality. And
just like with disobedient
employees, these kind of masters
...that doeth wrong shall
receive for the wrong which he
hath done..., and rewards will
be withheld by Christ. [MUSIC]
As 2 Corinthians
5:10 reminds us:
For we must all appear
before the Judgment Seat
of Christ; that every one may
receive the things done in his
body, according to that he hath
done, whether it be good or bad.
(Music)
ANNOUNCER #1>> (Music) Thank
you again for tuning in to
Transformed by Grace. We
appreciate your prayer support
and the financial gifts.
The purpose and mission of
the Berean Bible Society is to
help you understand the whole
counsel of the Word of God.
For more information,
visit our website at
www.BereanBibleSociety.org.
Or, give us a call at
262-255-4750. Or if you
prefer, write us at the Berean
Bible Society, PO Box 756,
Germantown, Wisconsin 53022.
Now until next time, may you
be transformed by God's grace.
(Music)