I’m not sure where we had been, but when John Hayden drove up his driveway, the Hayden’s little mutt ran off the porch and begin to bark with the attitude of a junk yard dog.  John looked at me, and with his characteristic ear to ear grin, he said:  “That’s the best little watch dog I’ve ever had.”

I responded with a big laugh, and said:  “John, that dog is just putting on a show for you.”   I went on to tell John that his little watch dog never barked or even moved off the front porch when I drove up his driveway.

Whenever I think of this incident, I’m reminded of Paul’s instructions to slaves in Colossians 3:22:  “Obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.”

The King James is the only version that uses the word “eyeservice” in its translation.  I like this unique rendering of Paul’s instructions because it clearly explains how many people live their lives.  Some live the life of a men-pleaser and others are noted for their sincerity of heart.

Eyeservice—if you only serve when you think you’re being watched, you need to know that “the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer.  But the Lord’s face is against those who do evil (I Peter 3:12).”

Slaves: obey your earthly masters in all things. Don’t just act earnest in your service only when they are watching. Serve with a sincere heart (even when others aren’t watching), fearing the Lord who is always watching!

Colossians 3:2  ~The Voice