Scripture is clear, repetitive, consistent and adamant on this point: we are put on earth for one purpose, and one purpose only. That purpose can be stated in different ways, and theologians have written volumes on this subject. In one form or another, it all comes back to this: We exist to glorify God—that is ultimately why He created everything, including us humans. The first and foremost question in the Westminster Catechism states it well, “The chief purpose of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” That captures the teaching of Scripture quite well.

What God gets out of the deal is that by creating mankind He gets to reveal Himself to something outside of Himself. He wants to be known—just like we all want to be known (which makes sense in light of the fact that we were created in His image). He wants us to enjoy Him. What an amazing thing!

But how best can we enjoy the Creator God of the universe, who reveals Himself to us? The answer is by learning about Him and living our lives in accord with that knowledge. This is why Paul says, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord.” He is the “Master,” not our earthly masters or authority figures. Everything else is relative, limited. We live for Him. “It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

Now our existence in God’s creation has consequences. We are not completely free to order our own universe. We were created to fit in with His plan—it’s all about God! Therefore it makes sense that when we live our lives within His purposes, we will experience His joy in the plan. Or to use the words of the apostle Paul, we “will receive the reward of the inheritance.” When we live under the direction of our own plan, we “will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done.” There will be the lack of joy, which God has created us to experience. What He designed us for is the pleasure of an intimate relationship with Him.

Therefore the Spirit admonishes us to treat our work, whether it be the labor of a slave or our employment or cleaning the house or helping a neighbor or teaching Sunday school—to do it all with an active awareness of God as our ultimate Master. And to do it with gusto as one who loves and pleases Him.