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Sunday, November 07 2021

How many people do good work only when seen? God always sees what everyone does (Hebrews 4:13). God commands the faithful to work honestly before their employers. Workers are to obey their managers and supervisors. 

Why did Paul command servants to obey their masters with fear trembling (Ephesians 6:5)? Why not tell them to rebel and seek their freedom? Today, many would not describe their boss, manager, or supervisor as their master, but that is what they are to some extent if not in every way. Obeying employers with fear and trembling is in respect of God. Peter instructed Christians to work with humility for those overseeing them and with all respect (1 Peter 2:18–21). Christians are to regard their employers as worthy of honor so that the name of God and the teaching are not reviled (1 Timothy 6:1). The Christian worker should serve with sincerity and without reservation as one would in working for Christ (Ephesians 6:5). This means working not to please the eyes of a supervisor, but always working in the sight of the Lord. This is the will of God (6:6). Whatever Christians do in work and service, they are to do so in service to God and Christ (6:7). This kind of service and work takes faith and trust in God through difficult circumstances because God promises to give good blessings back to the worker (6:8).

Furthermore, God instructs managers, masters, and bosses to do good to their servants without threatening their workers (Ephesians 6:9). Many employers manage workers with a heavy hand and constantly threaten them. Christian managers must not behave in this way. Masters, employers, and supervisors should know that they have the same heavenly Master as the servants and God will render to both impartially (6:9).

Whether a servant or free, all work under their heavenly Master (Ephesians 6:9). The apostle Paul taught, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23–24 ESV). Furthermore, the apostle called for trust in God telling Christians, “For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality” (3:25).

In the Creation, God made man and put him in the garden to work it and keep it (Genesis 2:15). Solomon noted, “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?” (Ecclesiastes 2:24–25). Thank God that we can work and serve him. Jesus taught, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal” (John 6:27).

Posted by: Scott J Shifferd AT 07:00 am   |  Permalink   |  Email