Workplace Attitudes

Ephesians 6:5-9

Slaves, -- Today that would be employees.

obey your earthly masters -- your boss

with respect and fear, -- considering the authority God has given them over you

with sincerity of heart, -- with integrity

just as you would obey Christ. -- how you would treat Jesus if He were your boss.

Obey them not only to win their favor -- Do not "brown-nose" or suck up to them

when their eye is on you, -- when they're watching

but like slaves of Christ, -- Jesus is really your boss

doing the will of God -- everything you know you should be doing, not slacking off

from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, -- put your whole self, all your energy into it

as if you were serving the Lord, not men, -- Your Boss really is Jesus, beyond and above your manager at work

because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, -- Remember the Judgement Seat of Christ (Romans 12:10, II Corinthians 5:10)

whether he is slave or free. -- It doesn't matter if your're working as an employee at a business or if you are the owner of the business working for yourself, we are all accountable.

And masters, -- Employers, managers, bosses of any kind

treat your slaves -- your employees, those who work under you

in the same way. -- Have the same attitude of mind in dealing with employees, customers, suppliers, whoever you do business with, as though Jesus was working for you, buying from you, or supplying what you need.

Do not threaten them, -- Don't be harsh, because God is gentle with us

since you know that He who is both their Master and yours -- Jesus is Lord, Boss over all of us

is in Heaven, -- He's up there, watching

and there is no favoritism with Him. -- It doesn't matter if He placed you high or low on the "ladder," you are still and always accountable to Him. 

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!