Slaves & Masters

Ephesians 6:5-9

In both Greek and Roman culture, slaves had no rights legally and were treated as commodities. There was much abuse and seldom good treatment of slaves. Slaves played a significant role in this society and Paul was describing the process of master/slave relations. Slaves may have had few rights in society, but in the church they were awarded freedoms that society denied them. The passage then touches on the attitude of work. Verse 6 talks about only working when being watched by the boss or working only to promote one’s welfare, rather than to honor the employer and the Lord. It should not be so. It then talks about how God’s credits and rewards will be appropriate to the attitude and action of our work. No good thing done for His glory will go unrewarded.  There should also be mutual honor and respect from Christian employers to their employees as the Spirit filled boss uses his authority and power with justice and grace – never threatening, never abusive, or inconsiderate. He realizes he has a Heavenly Master who is impartial. 


Questions for further thought:
1. How am I truly giving my all for my employer and my Lord at work?

2. How will I seek to remedy or continue my answer to question #1?


Challenge: Commit to working as on to the Lord as you do your job. Seek His will as you carry out your tasks day to day.