Hidden Faithfulness

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

“Did you notice I vacuumed the living room?”

We’d just sat down for dinner when this question popped out of my mouth. It had been a long day of doing work that felt unimportant. No one applauded me for scrubbing stained toilets or gave me a pat on the back when I unloaded the dishwasher. No one cheered me on as I paid bills or completed my work. No one gave me a high five when I finished vacuuming the living room. I was desperate for words of affirmation, longing to be seen and noticed for my hard work. I wanted to know that my behind-the-scenes faithfulness was worth it in the grand scheme of things.

The majority of our lives is spent doing ordinary, unseen tasks. Shiny, center stage moments don’t usually challenge our character or refine our motives; it’s the backstage activity no one sees that forms and transforms us. The thankless tasks we do—necessary, unexciting things like collecting the garbage, wiping runny noses, or balancing a spreadsheet—reveal what our hearts truly treasure. Do we crave the praise of others? Or do we value these hidden tasks as opportunities to quietly serve our faithful God?

After God gave the Israelites detailed instructions about the building and assembly of the Tabernacle, Moses asked the people of Israel, specifically those with generous hearts, to give the materials and labor needed (see Exodus 35:5).

The response was stunning: “They came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments” (Exodus 35:21). Skilled women spun yarns, linen, and goats’ hair (see verses 25-26). Leaders brought their prized treasures for the priest’s ephod, along with spices and oil for lamps and offerings (see verses 27-28). Anyone whose “heart moved them” brought what they had and gave it to the Lord.

What if instead of giving freely of their possessions, time, and skills, they had demanded that a plaque be bolted outside the Tabernacle applauding them for their sacrifice? What if the women who had spent countless hours spinning yarn required that they be praised for their time and talent?

The Tabernacle was built not by people seeking fame but by ordinary people with extraordinary love for God. The apostle Paul writes, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24, emphasis added). Paul doesn’t say, “Whenever you do something special and exciting that everyone praises you for, work at it with all your heart. But you can do the unfancy, boring stuff no one sees with half the effort.” Paul brings us back to the heart of faithfulness, serving, and generosity. We do it for the Lord, not for the praise of man.

When Christ is our treasure and our hearts are stirred by the Holy Spirit, any task set before us is worth our wholehearted effort—for the glory of God and for the honor of his name. Even vacuuming up Cheerios.

Word before World Everything we do is seen by God—including the backstage, boring activities. Whatever you are doing, do it for the glory of his name.

Grow in Grace Meditate on Psalm 100:2, which tells us to serve the Lord with gladness. What would it look like to do thankless tasks with gladness and love for God today?