Ephesians 6:5-9

Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.  Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

 

The call to mutual submission extends beyond the family to the workplace.  Both employees and employers that are believers are to be submissive to one another.  The Spirit of God will constantly call us to be humble and serve one another with joy.  Believers are not to make distinctions between one another based on social status or income bracket.  All of us are created in the image of God and should be honored as such.

 

BE FAITHFUL WORKERS: Paul is not endorsing slavery by instructing believing slaves to obey.  The existence of slavery in Paul’s day was beyond the scope of his responsibility to determine.  However, slaves who placed their faith in Christ were expected to honor the Lord with the way they performed their duties.  These same principles apply to employees in today’s world.  We should work hard with or without supervision, be respectful, strive for excellence, and do all we do for the Lord’s glory.  Christian employees should not take advantage of or expect special treatment from believing employers.  Having a Christian boss should motivate us to help our sibling in Christ become more prosperous and successful so the kingdom can be advanced.  Having an unbelieving boss should motivate us to be faithful as a means of witnessing to him or her.  The true rewards for faithful workers do not come in the form of a salary but in the form of eternal rewards from the Lord. 

 

BE FAIR BOSSES: Biblical leaders will serve those who are under their leadership.  Instead of using their authority for self-promotion, they will seek to be a blessing to others.  The way an employer treats employees should reflect the love and care that the Lord has for each of us.  The glory and grace of God is what all believers are called to reflect no matter what their social status.  All men are ultimately responsible to the Lord for how they perform their duty as an employer or an employee.  We must not take advantage of one another but serve each other with gladness.

 

APPLICATION: Work hard with a joyful spirit no matter what kind of supervision we have.  Lead with a servant’s spirit that reflects the grace and glory of God.  Be motivated by eternal rewards instead of a pay check or lucrative business. 

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