Ephesians 6:9

Day 57

“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.” Ephesians 6:9

Be a Good Boss
For additional comments on the issue of the Bible and slavery, see Day 56 and the devotional on Ephesians 6:5-8.  Continuing the discussion on slaves and masters, we are again reminded that in the New Testament slaves and masters were not viewed as two different classes of citizens within the church. Colossians 3:10-11 days, “put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.”  In Christ there is no distinction.  In the culture at large, there was a huge distinction.  Masters held huge sway over slaves.  Being a master functioned in a way that greatly increase the assumed intrinsic value that God had placed on a master versus the slave.  As Christians, we should mourn the role Christians have played in propagating such evil and we should affirm in our personal lives this fundamental doctrine of the dignity and intrinsic value of all people.

The creation account affirms the human intrinsic value of all people.  This affirmation can been seen in the recreation God does in His work of salvation. God freed Israel from bondage in Egypt and Babylon from their slave-master overlords.  God freed us all through the work of Christ.  “It’s for freedom that Christ set you free.” (Gal 5)  “Who the Son sets free, is free indeed.” (John 8) God takes sinners, in bondage to sin and death, and sets us free through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son. Masters during the time of Paul were ultimately slaves due to their sin. The two classes of people in the culture were not two classes of people before God.  Ultimately we are all sinners in need of grace.  No one holds a higher position than anyone else.  Believers have all been set free due to His grace. In Christ there is neither slave or free, but we are children of God.  As His children, we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever in freedom as fellow citizens and as children of God.

Application of this passage for our time and culture directs our attention to the more immediate American context of work.   How are we to handle our employment? Though modern slavery has almost entirely been eradicated in American life, most of us still work for a boss.  This text gives us great guidance on how bosses should treat employees.  Ultimately an earthly boss has a real boss, Jesus Christ.  The human boss gives out tasks, but Jesus Himself directs the life of that human boss.  If you are in a position of authority over others, remember that you are under authority of a much greater Lord.  A Christian work ethic includes managing the work of others with the knowledge that we will one day stand before Him.  Our actions toward employees will be evaluated without prejudice.  He sees and knows the heart for our management of others. “What would Jesus do?” Is a popular Christian slogan.  In this case, “what would I do if Jesus were directing the management of my employees?” Bosses bear witness to the lordship of Jesus in our workplace. The believing boss should treat employees labor in ways that reflects who the true Master of our lives is.

Suggested Prayer: Help me to honor You in all of my work. Take my hands and my feet, my mouth too, and use me to bring praise and honor to Your name.

Ephesians