In the Workplace. Ephesians 6:5-9 We must maintain balance in parenthood, labor, and authority. These principles are briefly addressed, but the teaching is clear. Society cannot function without workers. For workers to perform well, there needs to be respect and fairness from both the worker and the authority. A servant is someone who follows instructions. They are expected to obey commands, do their work properly, and do it as unto Christ. When someone is conscientious, they will work diligently, be trustworthy, and consistent, even when working alone. An enthusiastic employee understands who they are and can usually be relied on, like a neighbor with whom we share responsibility. The Gospel did not cause uprising and revolution, but it brought change. That change elevated humanity from slavery to recognizing each person as equal before God.
People filled with the Spirit walk in the light of God’s grace, His word, and Himself in a thoughtful, orderly way. Our relationships with spouses and children improve positively, making home life pleasant and meaningful when we are filled with the Spirit. Walking in the light also extends to the workplace, where we have work relationships with employers and coworkers. A third or more of our lives is spent in the open environment of the world system. This is where the public testimony of believers is established. Like the bondservants at Ephesus, those who work for others should dedicate themselves to their tasks with integrity and skill. We are to serve as bondservants of our Lord Jesus Christ. He observes all we do, understands how we do it, and considers our attitude toward the work and those we serve, rewarding us accordingly. The biblical teaching about daily work elevates it to a Christian standard that influences not only our reputation but also how we represent ourselves as followers of Jesus.
Paul's teachings did not approve of slavery but instead provided guidance on how to handle life and work as they are. Obedience was the main idea for slaves in biblical times, and the same principle broadly applies to employees today. We should not steal time from those we work for nor neglect our responsibilities for which we are paid. Doing poor work or wasting time also constitutes stealing from those who pay us.
Christians should work for employers as they would for the Lord. This is possible in any righteous occupation when we work in the strength of the Lord. We are expected to please our employer as well as the Lord when we do God's will from the heart. If we only do our best work when people are watching, we are not doing God's will. With the right attitude, even menial work can be a source of joy. Most employers overlook the skill, diligence, and good work employees do because they only measure work in terms of profit and loss. Working for the Lord means doing our best with the abilities we have, knowing He watches us all the time, and faithfulness to our work and to the Lord will bring lasting and eternal rewards.
With goodwill. For the slaves at Ephesus, work meant a bent back, sinews stretched to the limit, sweat pores opened and flowing freely. Nonstop time that moves slowly but surely toward the coming darkness. Straining of the bones and muscles, striving to please without rancor or hate. Repetition not just for one day, but on and on endlessly, wondering when it will stop. Eyes looking but not seeing, hands acting with skill from endless work days past. A mind that sees blank spaces aching to be filled with knowledge, light, and hope, and yet above the thankless service – a Person, The Light, I serve Him – with goodwill!
For laborers today: Relentless heat, the thirst never satisfied, the occupation overwhelming with sameness, and the voice of the master constantly urging. The pace is set two steps too fast, and weariness comes like a dark shadow. Testing times come again and again—intense labor, few comforts, hope out the window—but tomorrow, it begins again to be repeated. Necessity requires this effort to meet the needs of others at the expense of oneself, and the freedom to indulge has long since disappeared into the distant past. Change is hard because there’s no guarantee that things will ever improve. But in the future—“well done, good and faithful servant!” from the Master of masters.
For students in school today: back to the seat again and again one hundred and eighty times — bored, bored, bored! Then on to the next station or class of the day: “It is hard to understand, I don’t get it, please help me!” Is this my service for the Lord; my life for twelve years or more? This seems endless, timeless, and hopeless. Papers filled with words, constantly words; then figures, numbers, and page numbers by the score. Books full of information, so much useless information to get what is needed and wanted - I know it is necessary, but I don’t have to like it; I have to do it because it is the path I walk. Goodwill is not always easy, but when it is done for the Master – it is worth it!
This day, this work, this calling, this labor is not over yet—payday hasn’t come yet. When the time for accounting arrives; when your name is called; when the last effort is finished, then comes the moment to receive from Him, the Master, the Lord of all, a true accounting. Pleasing men, eye service, complaints, agitation, bitterness—all have no value. A single heart in love with Him constrains and brings out the best effort from a meaningless task. Because it is “the will of God,” done “to the Lord,” with “good will,” doing a “good thing”—I rejoice in the privilege of service. Pay or no pay is not a concern, because the Lord knows the motive and will give as He sees fit!
When we agree to work for someone, we commit to serving their interests, which is why we serve them. When both the employee and employer recognize their responsibilities to each other, trust and respect develop. Employees are not like machines; they need encouragement in their work and should be spoken to kindly when instructions or corrections are given. They deserve fairness, kindness, and honesty when they do what is reasonably expected. Employers should appreciate their employees' efforts and treat everyone equally because, in God's eyes, we are all equal.
Christian employers should act in a Christ-like way toward their employees because they recognize they are servants of the Lord themselves. The attitude of a servant of the Lord will not involve threatening, intimidating, or unfair treatment of those who work for them, but instead showing respect for everyone without partiality. Such an attitude, like our Lord's, will encourage good work and respect from employees. Sincere love when corrections are necessary—rather than harsh criticism—will motivate employees to improve their performance. Rejecting wrong and praising right through genuine approval is good business practice.
Authority is the right of an employer, and each person needs to remember that we are under the authority of our Master. An employer should keep in mind the obligation to seek the welfare of employees, including ensuring safety in the work environment. Don't favor some employees over others, or workplace conflicts may arise. Submit to the Lord as your Master. When there is cooperation, life runs more smoothly.
Each believer has a unique role to fulfill in life, and it is our responsibility to serve that role in a way that pleases our Lord Jesus Christ. We should live according to the position He has given us, so that we will please Him in everything we do. He knows our motives as well as our actions and will judge us accordingly at the judgment seat of Christ.
Your Master. He stands above all others; He is higher than the highest. Even though we can’t see Him, He is always near those who call on Him. You don’t see His shadow as He looks over your shoulder, but He watches every choice you make. You will never hear Him speak out loud to you, but He always hears your voice. You employers have many others doing what you tell them, but remember that your Master can also tell you what to do. It’s not enough to know what you want from hired men. You are also obligated to be fair and to care for them.
It’s true you are responsible for doing your best as someone accountable for the success or failure of the enterprise. The actions you take and what you produce represent you as a person. However, remember those who actually do the work. They also have a stake in this, even when they shirk, make mistakes, and fail. When it’s necessary to correct or instruct them, don’t be too hard on them because the Master hears what you say. Like He did, use the pressure of your words to reach the mind, the conscience, and then the heart. Jesus did the same with Peter, who repented and became a better man because of it.
Consider the fact that you hold the lives of others and can guide them as you see fit. When assigning tasks you expect them to complete, show proper respect to those who work for you. Acknowledge that they have minds of their own, and allow them to take initiative in their work. Trust your workers and expect them to give their best effort. When they go to sleep at night, they will feel satisfied with themselves and happy with you as their boss, and they will get true rest.
Your Master in heaven knows the purpose of each person’s life, and He has plans for both masters and servants that may not be known to you. Please consider that whether you are the boss or an employee, the Lord Himself will honor what only He can see. He does not respect someone because of what they do or the position they hold, because His estimate of value goes deep into the soul. Let dignity and worth be extended to everyone, regardless of the role they fill, for God alone can measure what each has done for Him.