August 7

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord. — Col 3:22 BSB

Paul speaks of "eye-service" as a kind of service that is not genuine. There are always those who work diligently when they are being watched by a supervisor but slack off when the master’s eye is not on them. This is imperfect service. A person who takes advantage of their employer by working slowly, loitering, or cutting corners in any way, simply because no one is watching, yields to a temptation that damages their own life more than anything else. The wrong they do to another, by not giving their best, is significant, but the harm they do to themselves is far greater. The former may affect money, but the latter touches their character. Someone who is unfaithful in their duties lowers the quality of their own life and irreparably diminishes the possibilities of what they could become.