January 25
________________________________________
COMMANDS TO WORKERS & EMPLOYERS
5 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; 6 not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 7 With goodwill render service, as to the Lord, and not to people, 8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, whether slave or free.9 And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him. -Ephesians 6:5-9
________________________________________
In this chapter, Paul also addresses slaves or workers. In the days of Paul, most workers are slaves to a master who bought them for a price. In our current world, we have employers who we serve and follow so we can get paid for the services we render to them or to the company. The word “slaves” would be unwelcomed in our world today. It would anger someone to be called a slave. In ancient times, it wasn’t something to be frown upon. A slave’s needs are usually taken cared of by their masters in return for their loyalty and undying service. Faithfulness was something that people valued then. In our world today, no one is loyal to any employer anymore, but to themselves. It is not uncommon that workers cheat on their company time to do personal calls or other unrelated stuff that isn’t on their list of functions. In other words, a lot of worker or employers are dishonest or do not have integrity in the workplace.
Paul warns all workers to do their job with fear and trembling and sincerity in their hearts for Jesus. He shifts their perspectives to not only think of the wage that is tied up with their labor, but to do it for the Lord, as if they were actually slaves of Christ. They were asked to focus on the reward that they will be given by the Lord himself.
Masters or employers were also commanded to be fair and not threaten their workers. They need to think that the Lord is watching them and will be answerable to God if they treat them unjustly or oppress them. It is such a sad sight to see so many leaders/employers who abuse their powers and positions just to make other people’s lives miserable. This isn’t how a Christ-centered life is about. This is clearly the world’s system which is corrupt and cruel. If all employers and masters will be accountable to Christ, all laborers and slaves will be more faithful in their service to their employers or masters.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is a worker advised to act as if they’re working for Jesus?