Doing All for God

When I think about "doing all for God," I’ve sometimes caught myself equating “all” with the size or importance of what I’m doing—like it needs to be something big, like what missionaries or preachers do. But I believe the "all" isn’t about the scale of what we do, but the scope. It's not just the grand gestures or public acts of service, but everything—from the small, everyday tasks to the big, life-changing moments—that should be done as unto God.

Jesus summed up all the commandments with two simple instructions: to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40). These two commands form the foundation for everything else we do. But loving God can feel abstract—how do I love a God I can’t see? And what does loving others have to do with loving Him?

As I think about it, I realize that loving God isn’t just about religious acts. It’s not confined to Sunday mornings or Bible study. Loving God is a daily response to His love for me, and it’s shown in how I treat others. Jesus made this clear when He said that caring for others—feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, helping those in need—is really doing it for Him (Matthew 25:35-40). This truth changes how I view my daily responsibilities.

Take my role as a husband and father, for example. When I care for my family—whether I’m cooking dinner or spending time with them—I’m not just fulfilling my duties. I’m serving God by loving those He has entrusted to me. The same applies to my work. Colossians 3:23 reminds me, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Every task, no matter how small, can be an act of love for God.

But here's the key—this ability to love and serve doesn’t come from me. It comes from abiding in Christ. Jesus said in John 15:4-5, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine... apart from me, you can do nothing.” This means it’s not about trying harder or doing more. It’s about staying connected to Jesus, allowing His love to flow through me.

When I abide in Christ, He transforms me. My actions—whether as a father, husband, or employee—become more than just “good things” done out of duty. They become acts of love, done as unto God, because He gives me both the desire and the ability to love in ways that reflect His heart. Where before I might have done things out of obligation, now, as I abide in Him, these actions flow naturally from a transformed heart.

Jesus’ ministry offers a beautiful example of this. While He could have focused on gathering large crowds, He chose to pour Himself into just twelve disciples, and even more deeply into three of them. It’s a reminder that I don’t need a massive platform to make a difference. God calls me to faithfully love and serve those He’s placed around me, even in ways that may seem small.

Remember too that Jesus didn’t call everyone to leave their homes and follow Him. After healing a man in Mark 5:19, He told him to go back to his family and tell them what God had done. This man’s ministry was right where he lived, and it was just as valuable as any public ministry.

That’s what I feel God has been teaching me—whether I’m at work, caring for my family, or helping a friend, I can approach every task with a heart that seeks to honor Him. Abiding in Christ transforms even the smallest acts into expressions of love for God. It’s not about striving for greatness but about being faithful in the everyday moments, trusting that He has placed me where I am for a reason. The most meaningful ministry may happen in my own home, workplace, or neighborhood, as I let His love flow through me. When I do all things as unto the Lord, even the smallest acts of love take on great significance in His eyes.