Colossians 3:23

This verse sits in a passage addressed, in its original context, to slaves — the most exploited layer of Roman society. That changes the weight of the line: it is not motivational advice for people who chose their own career.

What Paul does is shift the recipient of the work. Even in an imposed task, the worker can choose whom they work for: "as for the Lord, and not for men".

The practical consequence is twofold. On one side, it dignifies activities nobody sees or praises. On the other, it eliminates façade work — the kind that only exists when the boss is watching.

The next verse completes it with the promise of a reward "from the Lord", and the chapter then addresses masters, demanding justice — the instruction is not one-sided.

It is one of the texts most used in prayers before a shift and a good antidote to the split between "sacred" and "ordinary" work.