Work Ethics

In I Timothy 6:1-4, Paul tells Timothy to exhort those who are salves to serve their masters well, and especially those masters who are believers. It does seem strange that believers in Paul's day had slaves. Yet, it was not prohibited by the Jewish law and an accepted practice of that day. Therefore, Christians in general did not see anything wrong with it.

Yet, this scripture has applications beyond master and slave relationships. It teaches us to be good workers. We are to serve those over us well no matter what our station or position in life. It doesn't matter whether the person over us is a believer or non believer, we are to be faithful in our duties and obligations. It doesn't matter whether we have a good boss or bad one, we are to work the same for both of them.

Paul says, we are took work even harder and better for those over us who are believers in Christ. Yet, sadly to say this is often not the case. Often a believer who is working for a believer serves them worse because they know the believer is to love them and forgive their faults and short comings. Many believers take advantage of believers in this way because they believe they can get away with it because the one they are serving is a brother or sister in the Lord. They know with an unbeliever they would not be able to get away with their poor work ethics.

As believers, no matter who we are working for, we are to do it as unto the Lord with all our strength and ability. We are to seek excellence. We are to do everything in our power to serve others well. Christian workers should be the best workers in our society.

Ephesians 6:5-9 put is this way, "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 men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. ⁷ With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, ⁸ knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive 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.

Finally bosses, we are to treat those who work for us well. We are not to be harsh or over demanding. We are not to take advantage of our workers in anyway. We are to treat them with honesty and without favoritism. We are to be the best boss we can be. We are to show love, walk in truthfulness, and seek the wisdom of God in all that we say and do.