Mom and dad on her 65th Birthday |
I thank mom and dad for instilling good work ethics in me. At 75 yrs. old, my dad still lays block and works hard right along side with his crew of masons. It amazes me just how strong he still is! I have never seen my dad mistreat or abuse any of his employees. And as a subcontractor, I have never seen him disrespect the general contractors he has done work for. I have a wonderful role model regarding employee/employer relationships.
I remember one hot summer day when I was out hoeing cotton near our home when I was 12 yrs. old. This was my very first job. I had aspirations of saving my money and buying myself a motor cycle to drive back and forth to junior high for my sport practices. It was an extremely hot day and I came home for lunch and informed my mom that it was too hot to work and that I was not returning back to work. In a calm voice, she asked me, “Son, did you inform your boss that you were not going back?” “No,” I answered. I saw her move towards the refrigerator and get the wire handled fly swatter and began to do what she had mastered, “smack the flies out of me” as she sent me on my way!
I thank God for mom and that experience. Because if it weren’t for her making me go back to work, in spite of the difficulties I was facing, I would have probably quit other things when they got too tough for me. It taught me respect and honor for my boss.
I strongly believe that this is missing in our society today. I often hear my nephews and nieces complain about their jobs and bosses and it grieves me. If only they would be grateful for the privilege to work and also understand that they need to obey and respect their bosses as they work for them. After all, they, just like us, they are representing Christ in the workplace!
Enjoy the study and may it spur you on to good works!
OBSERVATION - What do I see? (Ephesians 6:5-9) As you read the passage ask the Who? What? Where? When? How? questions.
INTERPRETATION - What does it mean?
For the last four months we have been going through the book of Ephesians, verse by verse, and I have to tell you that this has been one of the most fruitful series that I have taught.
We have seen couples who were living together commit to get married; parent and child relationships get restored; single adults vow themselves to remain pure until marriage; and most recently, men who were finally able to deal with the past hurts their parents had inflicted upon them in childhood. It amazes me what healing power the word of God has!
This week we continue our series looking at Ephesians 6:5-9. In this passage, it refers to slaves and masters. So, every time you come to the word “slave” substitute employee for it and when you come across the word “master” replace it with the word employer to put it in context.
The last three chapters of Ephesians can be set into four categories: 1. Walk in unity (4:1-16); 2. Walk in purity (4:17-20); 3. Walk in harmony (5:21-6:9); and 4. Walk in victory (6:9-24).
Slaves played a significant part in this society. There were several millions of them in the Roman Empire at this time. Because many slaves and owners had become Christians, the early church had to deal straightforwardly with the question of master/slave relations. Paul’s statement neither condemns nor condones slavery. Instead, it instructs masters and slaves how to live together in Christian households. In Paul’s day, women, children, and slaves had few rights. In the church, however, they had freedoms that society denied them. Paul tells husbands, parents, and masters to be caring.
Paul’s instructions encourage responsibility and integrity on the job. Christian employees should do their jobs as if Jesus Christ were their supervisor. And Christian employers should treat their employees fairly and with respect. Can you be trusted to do your best, even when your boss is not around? Do you work hard and with enthusiasm? Do you treat your employees as people or machines? Remember that no matter whom you work for, and no matter who works for you, the one you should ultimately want to please is your Father in heaven.
Although Christians may be at different levels in earthly society, we are all equal before God. He does not play favorites; nor is one more important than another. Paul’s letter to Philemon stresses this same point: Philemon, the master, and Onesimus, his slave, were brothers in Christ.
APPLICATION - How does it apply to my life?
- Do you remember your first job? What was it? What did you learn from it?
- How should a Christian employee’s responsibility to his employer reflect his relationship to Christ?
(v. 5) Obey and respect your boss.
(v. 6) Stop trying to impress your boss.
(v. 6b) Find God’s will in your work.
(v. 7) Picture God as your boss.
(v. 8) Look to the Lord’s reward.
Which do you struggle with? Why?
- How are employees often guilty of the prohibitions found in v. 6?
- What attitude does God tell employers to give up? Why?
- Employees, in what specific ways could you honor Christ more as you work with lost people daily?
- What attitude(s) that you have towards your employer or employees have come under question as you did the study? Take it to God in prayer and ask Him to change your heart.