A Good Work Ethic

Introduction

It has been a couple of weeks since we’ve been in our study. We have been studying the book of Acts, pulling out to look at the Pauline Epistles where they intersect with Acts.

We are in the book of Ephesians, and Paul is quickly winding down. He has been telling people how to live. Most recently Paul gave advice to wives, then to husbands, and finally to children.

Today, we come to a section where he is going to give advice to “slaves” and to “masters.” Many people want to skip over this part assuming that it doesn’t apply since we no longer have “slaves” and “masters.”

I believe we can use the words “employees,” and “employers” in place of slave and master.

In Paul’s day there were Believers who were on both sides of the fence. There were those who were in bondage or slaves and there were those masters. Paul is going to tell both sides how they need to live.

Slaves/Employees

Slaves are to obey their earthly masters. Likewise, today employees are to obey their earthly employers.

Obedience means to do

There are seven characteristics of obedience:

(1) Obedience was to be respectful—with reverence.

(2) Fear—paying attention to detail so that mistakes aren’t made.

(3) With sincerity of heart—our work should be without hypocrisy or duplicity.

(4) Serving just like they would serve the Lord!

(5) Service should be consistent—whether someone is watching or not.

(6) Motive for serving is as though we’re serving the Lord.

(7) Service should be done with an attitude of good will towards the employer.

These seven characteristics are how employees are to serve their employers.

Masters/Employers

The first characteristic for masters is mutuality. They should give honor to the slave while the slave gives honor to the master.

Next, masters are not to threaten. Threatening punishment or harshness should not come from those in charge.

Finally, masters are to be consistent with all who serve. No favoritism, but fairness, because God does not show favoritism.

Conclusion:

Here’s what we take away from this passage:

Whether you are an employee, or an employer you are a follower of Jesus. That means Jesus should influence the way we work.

As an employee, Paul gives us seven characteristics:

(1) Respect

(2) Fear

(3) With sincerity of heart

(4) Serving just like they would serve the Lord!

(5) Consistency

(6) Serving is as though we’re serving the Lord.

(7) Serving with good will.

Employers are to exhibit some qualities as well:

(1) Respect.

(2) Without threats.

(3) Without favoritism.

It’s interesting to me that both of them start with respect for each other.