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 (NIV)
I felt left out. For context, let’s roll back the clock a few years. I was sitting in church next to my beautiful wife, Carrie, and while we were singing, praying, and enjoying the message, I found myself asking a question: “Where do I fit? Both in the local church and in the ‘Big C’ Church?” Carrie and I already knew that God called us to serve His people and encourage Church leaders in Italy, but my specific calling in ministry was unclear.
As the message came to a close, our local pastor gave a few invitations. He reminded everyone that the church has a weekly youth program, and could use adults who want to invest time and wisdom into the youth. He also shared that the church is growing at an accelerated pace and would love for people to join the hospitality team.
While both of these opportunities to serve sounded great, I knew that with our travel schedule being so erratic, it would have been impossible to make a consistent commitment. So, while I was sitting and listening, I started thinking: “I’m good at business, innovation, and problem-solving, however, it seemed like there was no need for those types of skills here in my local church.” Suddenly, there seemed to be a tension that I couldn’t quite shake – a feeling of being on the outside when I wanted to step in and do more.
The good news is God started to bring Kingdom-minded friends into my life to remind me that my business skills are exactly what God intended to use to grow the Kingdom. After hearing that, I was encouraged to celebrate my business success. Additionally, my friends reminded me of some powerful points: (1) do not believe the lie that godly men and women can’t be successful leaders in the business world, (2) success is not bad, it is only bad if you allow success to own YOU, and (3) my calling to the marketplace was just as sacred as those called to be pastors, worship leaders, or evangelists.
In Exodus 31:3-5, we read how God filled Bezalel with skill for gold, silver, bronze and stone — a craftsman, named and anointed. Think about what that means. When God was ready to build the Tabernacle, He didn’t only call priests. He called a builder, by name, and equipped him to do the work. I believe He is still in the business of giving specific skills to men and women for Kingdom purposes.
Now, let’s look again at the verse at the top of this page. Paul wrote this verse to bondservants — people doing the most ordinary, invisible work in the Roman world. Not to priests. Not to teachers. He wrote it to people who almost certainly assumed their labor had nothing to do with God at all, and he tells them: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” Then he adds the part I read past for most of my career — “it is the Lord Christ you are serving” Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV). Not funding. Not supporting. Serving.
Here is what I want you to carry into tomorrow. Your business is not merely the thing you do so you can “afford” to serve God on the weekend. Your business is one of the places where you can serve Him. If you’ve ever sat in a service and quietly wondered where your skills fit, you are not on the outside of God’s purposes. The skills and experience He has allowed you to develop may be exactly what He intends to use in ways you have not yet seen.
Over the next 29 days we are going to work out what that purpose is. I encourage you to invite other business leaders and entrepreneurs to walk through this plan with you. You are going to want people in this with you.
Reflection question
When you hear the word “calling,” what vision do you see?
Prayer
Father, today I am asking You to show me that the work I do matters to You, and that You put me where I am on purpose. Amen.
Action step
Text one other business leader today and invite them to walk through these 30 days with you.
About this devotional: This is Day 1 of Brian Pasch’s 30-day YouVersion Bible plan, Activating, Encouraging and Growing Business Leaders in the Church, launching October 9, 2026. To read all 30 days, download the free YouVersion Bible App, search for “Brian Pasch,” and subscribe to the plan. Learn more about the 30-day plan →