God's standards for Employers and Workers

Slavery - Fortunately, it is not what it once was. It cost America a great deal during the Civil war when slavery was finally abolished.

Today we hear about various movements that want to do away with names given to schools or special places in America , statues of people, who were once slave owners; the reason… because of all the atrocities that are associated with it. we can be genuinely concerned about why the Bible includes such passages as the one we are reading about this morning. Although slavery has been abolished, there are some things that are even more horrendous than we can even imagine when hear about things like human trafficking; people being sold into slavery.

So as we look at this passage in Ephesian today, i want to make it abundantly clear that the Bible does not promote or even encourage slavery. The situation Paul addressed was not like slavery in America history. it was complex and massive in scope. America slavery was primarily racial and life long. In Paul’s day it was not racial, and it was not always life long.

Here is what Paul wrote in …

21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. (Marriage - Becoming a believer, married to a non-believer)

:21-24

In our text for today Paul is saying…

Slave Obey your Master

In Modern language, Employees...

Colossians 3:22 NIV

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

Slaves are to obey their masters whether they are good or bad. They are only “earthly” (kata sarkou, “according to the flesh”). The Christian slave has a heavenly Lord to whom he owes supreme allegiance. HE is also saying, Masters, treat your slavers with dignity and respect...

Here is what we know in regard to slavery during the time of Paul...

Prevelent

Widely accepted (1 out of 3 in Rome were slaves) 1 out of 5 in the rest of the world.

legally they had no rights. But they were for the most part treated humanely (with the exception of those placed in force gang labor) they were treated very poorly

Most were considered to be part of the family; greatly loved. Many where highly intelligent and held responsible positions. They were properly taken care of with a place to live and food on the table, even though they were slaves.

Freedom of a slave was possible… Industrial slaves could earn money to purchase their freedom. Some where let go by their master in their wills at death and some even before this.

By the first Christian Century a large class of freedmen had been developed. Jesus and the Apostles set faith principles of human dignity and equality that eventually led to abolition. Jesus set the example of what true servanthood was all about.

John 13:4–5 NIV

4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Acts 6:9 NIV

9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen.

Mark 10:45 NIV

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Having said all this, Paul has been addressing the Christian household where slavery continued and he addressing both slaves and owners to approach things from a ‘Christ’ centered perspective. He is talking about a greater submission and Lordship… that person being ‘The Lord Jesus Christ.’ All people are to obey Him in reverence, fear, and respect.

Pauls is saying, there is a transformation that takes place in our lives when we come to Christ Jesus. It changes us - it moves us from darkness to light - from confession to understanding. From prejudice to acceptance; from disrespect to respect and value for another person. No one is to be of a second, lower social status.

In the case that Paul is addressing, the transformation is about how an owner is to treat their slave and visa versa.

, address this issue even more clearly…

Colossians 3:17 NIV

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:22–23 NIV

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

Several years ago I was listening to Joe Stowell who was then President of Moody Bible Institute. He brought these verse to the forefront and it has become a motto that by the grace of God we can all strife to live by.

As Paul writes, he is saying it all begins with the Heart… How we love, treat other people, and serve is a heart issue. There is no distinction between secular service and spiritual service. As a Christian, whatever you do, it must be done unto the Lord from the heart!

In Church, at work, with your family and friends, in public or in private… whatever or whenever, it is to be done unto the Lord! to Please HIM!!!

Jesus set the example and expressed it verbally “not my will, be yours be done.”

Luke 22:42 NIV

42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

As we read earlier in “…Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve.”

Let’s ask this question: Do Employers and Employees feel that the other owes them? I think there is some true to this...

The Employer may think, “they are lucky to have a job!” If it were not for me, they would have nothing.

The Employee may think, “They are lucky to have me!” If it were not for me, they would have a product to sell.

The Fact is, both are needed and both need to listen with their heart and determine in their heart, “I will do it for all the right reasons.”

Is it nice to have a good product to sell? Yes. Is it nice to earn a good living? Yes, but to what extent? That’s one of the reason Paul was writing this to both the slave and slave owner. What you have and your responsibility is important! Do it for God and do it for the betterment of the other person.

Our Conviction as believers in Jesus Christ is to be about doing everything for Him and doing it well.

In a former ministry, there was one person who would respond to whatever was done, whether good or bad, with the words, “It’s good enough for who its for.”

is the work we are doing good for God? or just good enough for who it’s for?”

William Barclay writes, ‘Every single piece of work we produce must be good enough to show to God.”

Our work is to come from the heart!

Paul’s words are words of encouragement rather than warning or discouragement. He reminds them that nothing we do goes unseen by God and that nothing well done, is ever in vain!

There may be no thanks from others… there may only be criticism. But in Christ, there is an unfailing reward for faithful service.

Luke 6:38 NIV

38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

1 Peter 1:17 NIV

17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

Masters Provide for your servants what is right

In Modern language, Employers...

Colossians 4:1 NIV

1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

To the Employer - do for your employees as you would want them to do for you.

To the Employee - do for your employer as you would want them to do for you.

We will all give an account for the work we do. Paul says, God shows no partiality. Workers have been told to render their service as to the Lord & Employers are no different. We are all servants unto the Lord.

Our World is becoming more and more defined without faith in God. As this happens, it becomes a greater challenge to be the servant God ‘calls’ us to be. But no matter how you have been treated or are being treated, your role as a Christian is to serve as Christ did, to love as Christ loves.

Colossians 3:24 NIV

24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

300 Quotations for Preachers Faith and Obedience Are Bound Together

Faith and obedience are bound up in the same bundle. He that obeys God, trusts God, and he that trusts God, obeys God. He that is without faith is without works; and he that is without works is without faith. Do not oppose faith and good works to one another, for there is a blessed relationship between them; and if you abound in obedience your faith shall grow exceedingly.

CHARLES SPURGEON

Looking at this from what scholars call the household code, we can sum this up by saying once again. Husbands and wives, you have been blessed with each other. Treat one another with mutual respect, honoring one another, serving together. Each one may have distinct responsibilities but everyone is to do their part to help and support the other.

in regard to the owner and worker… Remember Jesus set the example of servanthood… help one another be the best business owner and worker you can be. Don’t look for short cuts to make more money; don’t work just to earn money. Work in a way that pleases God; do your best for him. Treat others the way you would want to be treated.