What really matters?

Introduction

IF you have had a job before, what was your least favorite job you’ve done? Or if you haven’t had a job and you do chores, what is the least favorite chore you’ve ever had to do? Most people would answer something like cleaning the toilet, taking out the trash, I used to work a janitorial job in college where I did both of those things (and sometimes I still help my old boss out from time to time). Work is a gift from God that we should be thankful…but some jobs just aren’t that desirable if we are all honest. And we all want to find meaning in our work that we are doing. It probably feels a whole lot better rearranging our rooms than it does cleaning it right? We feel more meaning in it because you see the change happening and with cleaning you think it’s probably going to be dirty next week anyways. God wants us to delight in the work that we do knowing we do it for Him. “Martin Luther said that when we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we should remember how God normally provides bread: through farmers, transporters, and retailers. God doesn’t just drop Krispy Kreme donuts down from heaven.” The words we are going to read today show us that there is meaning in all work that we do. And specifically Paul was talking to Master’s and slaves.

Understanding slavery and Paul’s Undermining of it

Before we make any specific application about this text to us being employees or employers and the importance to take our work seriously and treat everyone fairly and equally, we shouldn’t gloss over this difficult subject of slavery. I know many of you guys are thinking “Why didn’t Paul outlaw slavery? As a church we fight human slavery.” Paul has just addressed to places within the household in the marriage, and the children and parent relationship, but now he turns to the most difficult subjects in the household. We can’t skip to employee and employer relationship and think that it is a one-to-one connection to master and slave. Slaves don’t equal employees. Masters don’t equal employers. If we move over this too quickly we can miss another important application!

Historical Context behind slavery

The situation Paul addressed wasn’t like slavery in American history. It was more complex and even more massive. American slavery was primarily racial and lifelong. In Paul’s day it wasn’t racial, and it wasn’t always lifelong. There were some similarities but it was different. Some estimate that the Roman Empire had about 60 million slaves. It was an accepted part of Mediterranean economic life. The nature of slavery then was different because the slaves didn’t just do the terrible jobs, they did all of them. Sometimes the slaves would be more educated than their wealthy owners. They could buy property, even other slaves, and were allowed to buy their own freedom. There wasn’t a slave class their were slaves in all classes except the highest economic class.

There were white collar slaves. Slaves could obtain their freedom through the money that they earned and many bought their way to freedom by the time they were thirty years old. How did people become slaves during that time? People became slaves through birth, parents selling or abandoning them, captivity from war, inability to pay off debts, and voluntary attempts to better one’s condition. Race wasn’t a factor. Slavery in America was mainly racial and executed by self-righteous and vile people. The way of life for a Roman slave (whether cruel or great) depended on their owners. So Paul’s words to the master’s in this passage are life altering.

Why are we opposed to slavery?

When you first look at the passage you would think Paul is silent on this issue. Do biblical writers think slavery is okay? NO. No passage in scripture encourages the abuse of power or the mistreatment of human beings. It’s so much more of the opposite! Paul probably didn’t address it because the Christian faith had no influence during that time…their religion was still illegal during that time! Paul was writing to give instructions about household relationships and responsibilities within this society, he wasn’t trying to write something that would change the social structure. However, the Bible clearly opposes the type of cruel slavery we think of today.

First, we are called to love our neighbor, not own our neighbor. Taking people against their will is sinful and opposite of the great commandment.

Second, we treat others the way that we would want to be treated (Matt 7:12). That would mean none of us want to be ripped from our homes and transported somewhere against our will to be abused by somebody else.

Third, neither slavery or masters are viewed positively in the Bible. Israel was in awful slavery in Egypt, but God freed them. Then God Gave strict laws insisting that they do not treat others as they had been treated in Egypt.

Fourth, one of the pictures of the gospel is that of freedom from bondage. Jesus came to let spiritual captives free. Being a prisoner is not viewed positively. Christianity is a release the captives kind of faith.

Fifth, Paul’s teaching and other New Testament teachings undermine slavery. They destroy it from within. While you may not be able to see it, Paul is actually not silent about slavery he just deals with it differently. Paul tells others to imitate God who champions the fatherless and the widow. He is a God of compassion and justice. He stands against oppressors and cares for the vulnerable. This is very different from slavery. He also calls trafficking of humans as a vile sin in 1 Timothy 1. Paul plants seeds of the destruction of slavery, beginning with the Christian community. It was subtle but powerful. Paul focused on spreading the gospel in a society that approved of slavery, and in doing so, he planted seeds of the destruction of slavery. Paul’s main concern is the spread of the gospel but he also gives the ethic required between Christian slaves and Christian masters. He tells both slave and master to treat each other as they would Christ. This is where we get into what Paul is saying in the passage.

Paul’s Christ-centered words to both

Slaves: Do your Work as unto Christ

The command is clear: Live all of your life for Christ. Although they had a master Christ was their ultimate Master. When you work for the Lord instead of for your earthly bosses you break out of the ordinary and your work gains greater meaning.

Glorify Christ by working respecfully:

Paul says they were to obey with “fear and trembling” which means to work out of a reverent fear of Christ.

Glorify Christ by working wholeheartedly:

Paul emphasizes the heart in these verses. Paul tells the bondservants not to be hypocrites but to work even when not watched by their masters. The common temptation by the master was to threaten and the common temptation of the slave was to be lazy or lie instead of working faithfully.

Glorify Christ by working willingly:

Paul says they should “Serve with a good attitude” not with a begrudging spirit. He tells them to put their heart and soul into their work because, after all, they are doing God’s will. Paul says to work cheerfully.

Glorify Christ by working expectantly:

“Knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord.” We will all face the Father one day and no act goes unnoticed. Believers will appear before the judgment seat of Christ and be rewarded based on present faithfulness (Matt. 16:27, Rom. 2:6-11, 2 Cor. 5:10)

Masters: Treat your slaves as You would Christ (6:9)

Practice mutual respect: Paul says, “Treat your slaves the same way.” Masters were to treat their slaves as they wanted to be treated: with integrity, respect, humility, and gentleness. They were to treat them as if they were treating Christ. If masters wanted respect and service, then they should give it also.

Avoid hostility: Paul says to oversee them “without threatening.” This teaching for a master would be SUPER uncommon. But Christ masters were to be different. They were not to bully or use aggression.

Live with Christ-centered accountability: Paul says “You know that both their Master and yours is in heaven.” Masters were to live with a fear of Christ. Proverbs 22:2 says “The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord made them both.” The Lord is the Judge of all the earth, of every person.

Remember God’s impartiality: He says, “There is no favoritism with Him.” Partiality was written into the Roman law. But Paul says on the last day it will not matter. The Lord Jesus will be completely impartial.

How does this passage change your life?

This passage should change the way you work

Work for Christ your ultimate King and authority and do it for the glory of His Name.

This passage should change the way we relate to others.

This text crushes partiality and the popularity contest that we get so easily wrapped up in. Although there are different roles everywhere, the worth is still the same and equal.

This passage should change the way we evaluate what is important.

What matters according to this text? Your relationship with Christ.