Slaves And Employees

I Timothy 6: 1-2

(1) All who are under the yoke as slaves

The word for slaves here is correctly translated, as they are under the yoke of slavery. These people had no choice but had to do whatever their owners said.

are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor

This doesn't say only the nice and reasonable masters. The word here is despotes, despots, little dictators. And yet they were to give them respect and obedience. Why?

so that the Name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against.

Because these slaves were Christians, and to do otherwise would bring criticism on the church and the faith. This is pretty stringent and straight-forward.

(2) Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren,

The idea here is that because their masters are also Christians, then they don't have to obey them.

but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved.

They should want to go above and beyond for these brothers in Christ, seeing them with eyes of family and realizing their mutual benefit.

Teach and preach these principles.

Timothy is to be sure his congregation all are aware of these positive attitudes they are all to have toward one another.

I find it interesting that Paul never condemns the institution of slavery in the societies of his day. But that institution was never even questioned until very recently in history, only two hundred years ago.

So these principles would also apply to employees' attitude toward their employers. The situation is not quite the same, as workers today are free to quit and find another job. But the best employees have always considered how to make their boss look good, and help him profit financially in the business.

Anyone who doesn't feel he or she can be that supportive an employee needs to find either a different attitude or a different job. And until one can be a good employee, one is not ready to be an employer.

And a Christian is to always put the other first (Philippians 2: 3), and mutually submit to one another (Ephesians 5: 21). This is the Christ-like attitude we all are to have. Even when an employer is not a Christian, he needs employees like this to show him Christ.

O my Father, You know how hard it is for us in our weak humanity to submit ourselves to the wishes of another, especially when we either don't like the other or we don't agree with the other. Please show us how we can do this in gentleness and compassion, without compromising Your standards. Help us to be Christ to the world around us.

My Father, send out Your children into their workplaces, into the stores and shops, into the arenas for events, into the world around us, and show us how to be Christ to everyone we encounter.

Father, we are living in what can be very scary times even now. Please let Your peace in us in the midst of the turmoil and chaos show the world Your steadfastness and compassion.

And Father, open opportunities for us to share Your goodness and grace to those who are groping for survival. Help us to demonstrate Your gentleness and generosity to all.

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!