Working at the Family Business

“Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit their good service are believers and beloved” (1Tim 6:2).

Family business. It is the best of times, it is the worst of times. On the bright side, you’re working with people you love and trust. You have the same values. You see the world through the same lens. Then there’s the dark side. Family problems become business problems. Reunions become staff meetings and vice versa. And one relative can leverage another in order to slack off. Dysfunctional families can lead to a dysfunctional family businesses.

While there’s a growing amount of research out there, did you know that Paul wrote about the tricky employer/employee relationship in family business almost 2,000 years ago? In a note to his protege Timothy, the apostle deals with it in the context of the Greco-Roman economy of master and bondservant. “Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit their good service are believers and beloved” (v2).

Paul’s point is that every follower of Jesus is now members of God’s family. The Father adopts all believers into His family. This changes things at work if our Savior rescues both you and your supervisor. The Lord transforms your workplace into a family business. Just remember, you and your boss may be brothers but that’s no excuse to not bring your best. 

The original context of the original passage is all about the dramatic change in relationship between first century masters and slaves. Around the Mediterranean Rim at the time, slavery was the norm. Some historians estimate 30-40% of Italians served as slaves around the time of Christ. On one hand, it was very different from our view of this awful institution. Greco-Roman slavery was not race based like it was in the American South. Many times it was a way to pay off outstanding debt. But on the other hand, it was still terrible and often brutal. Think you’re having a bad day at the old salt mine? Well, at least it’s not a REAL salt mine!

There was something racing through the Roman Empire that was changing the institution of slavery. The Gospel of Jesus. The tsunami of grace that began in Galilee transformed both masters and bondservants as they hear about Christ’s invitation into God’s kingdom. Your employment status or place on the org chart didn’t a difference. Everybody needs Jesus. The ground is level at the foot of the cross.

As a result, first century churches were filled with both believing masters and slaves. It’s curious that apostles like Paul didn’t call for an end to forced servitude. Maybe it’s because they knew that once God changed their hearts, it would change everything. The Gospel would eventually bring down slavery from the inside out. It’s tragic that it took so long for that to happen. It’s even more tragic that human trafficking is still a problem 2,000 years later. Another gut-wrenching example that we live in a broken world and we’re the ones who broke it. As it was before, there’s only one solution. And His name is Jesus.

Paul gives his boy Tim specific instructions for “those who have believing masters” (v2). He’s talking about the slaves and owners who follow Jesus and attend the church in Ephesus. The apostle uses one of the most important words found in the New Testament here. It’s the Greek word pistos. The term describes one who trusts. In this case, the object of trust is the resurrection Rabbi from Nazareth. 

Dr. Luke uses this very word when writing about Tim when he first meets the apostle formerly known as Saul. Timothy is “the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer (Gr. pistos)” (Acts 16:1). Just a few verses back up the page in this same letter, Paul tells the young pastor that a “believing woman (Gr. pistos) has relatives who are widows”, she is responsible for their care (1Tim 5:16). When the risen Jesus mysteriously and physically appears to a very cynical Thomas, Christ encourages him, “Do not disbelieve but believe (Gr. pistos)” (Jn 20:27).

These slaves don’t trust in their job performance to save them. These masters know their not entering God’s kingdom by winning “Boss of the Year.” Their only chance is by trusting in who Jesus is and what He has done for them. Same for you and me. Christ lived the perfectly sinless and totally obedient life that I failed to live. He died the brutal death for my sin in my place that I should have died. He rose to the spectacular new life that I don’t deserve. I place my trust in His performance on my behalf. It’s a breathtaking trade of our total failure for His absolute perfection (2Cor 5:21). Martin Luther liked to call it “The Great Exchange.” Our belief is only as strong as its object. There’s no stronger object of our faith than Jesus. 

Once an employee believes in Christ, he or she “must not be disrespectful” to the boss. Paul uses a verb here (Gr. kataphroneo) which means to treat scornfully or look down on. It literally means to “down (kata-) think” on somebody. It’s putting them down in your mind. We disrespect when we disdain, disparage, and despise someone. It’s tearing down someone else so we’ll rise in the rankings. There’s no upside when we down think.

In His most famous sermon, Jesus told us not to fool ourselves into thinking God and money can share the top spot of our affection. Eventually, “he will be devoted to the one and despise (Gr. kataphroneo) the other” (Mt 6:24; Lk 16:13). Our Savior also told His crew not to keep kids away from Him. “See that you do not despise (Gr. kataphroneo) one of these little ones” (Mt 18:10). Earlier in this note to Tim, Paul told the rookie pastor, “Let no one despise (Gr. kataphroneo) you for your youth” (1Tim 4:12). There’s no upside when we down think.

I’m sure you would never disparage your boss. Not you. I know you would never grumble or complain what they’ve asked you to do. You would never gossip or snipe. You’re not the one who would second guess your supervisor’s decision, are you? We’re talking about somebody else, right? You’re not the kind of slacker who would take advantage of the fact that your manager loves Jesus so you can cut corners on the job. Yeah, I didn’t think so either. You and your boss may be brothers but that’s no excuse to not bring your best.

If the previous verse about giving your own manager “all honor” (1Tim 6:1) didn’t get your attention, Paul goes on to talk about how working for a fellow believer changes things even more. It becomes a family business “on the ground that they are brothers” (v2). Just a couple of years before, the apostle wrote to his buddy Philemon about a runaway slave named Onesimus. It seems the Big O ran into the apostle in Rome and is coming home a changed man. Paul tells Phil that his fugitive employee is “no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord” (Phm 16).

If God’s grace can change the slave/owner relationship back in the first century, think what it can do for you and me. Remember, Jesus changes everything. That includes work. For those who are blessed to have a believing boss, “they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved” (v2). When you find yourself in that sweet situation, it’s time to cut it loose. It’s time to crank it up. You’re working with your brother. You’re working for your brother. At this point, it really doesn’t matter the industry or the craft. You’re working in the family business. Don’t forget. You and your boss may be brothers but that’s no excuse to not bring your best.

Sticky Fingers and Sticky Faith

“not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:10)

I love how my wife decorates our home. She would never consider herself any sort of interior designer, but she’s got a very special touch. Deb’s decorating signature includes lots of pictures. Lots of family pictures. They’re everywhere throughout our house. She adorns our home with snapshots of kids and grandkids, parents and grandparents. Paul tells Titus that we decorate what we believe about God by how we work. He said that bondservants do this by “not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:10). In other words, we shouldn’t have sticky fingers but a sticky faith.

Paul is in the middle of telling his man Titus how and what to teach new believers on the island of Crete about what it means to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-10). Older dudes teaching younger dudes (Titus 2:2, 6). Older ladies teaching younger ladies (Titus 2:3-5). He wraps this section up with instructions to bondservants. These are slaves and indentured servants who have placed their faith in the resurrected Rabbi from Nazareth. A modern application for this would be for every one who works for a living. Every employee should willingly obey their supervisor, work to put a smile on the boss’ face, and not complain and whine about what they have to do (Titus 2:9). The apostle goes on to say that how we work says a lot about what we believe about Jesus.

First of all, a good employee shouldn’t steal, or as Paul writes “not pilfering” (v10). This is the Greek verb nosphizomai, which literally means to separate. If it belongs to the company, it stays there. It this particular sense, it describes embezzling, misappropriation, stealing, and secretly taking stuff for your own use that doesn’t belong to you. Dr. Luke uses this same verb when writing about those early church embezzlers Ananias and Sapphira. This couple sold some real estate and then lied to say they were giving all the proceeds of the sale to God. They “kept back (Gr. nosphizomai)” some portion of profit for themselves (Acts 5:2-3). It’s not that they didn’t give all of the profits to support the new church. Their sin was lying and secretly skimming off the top. 

Don’t embezzle. Do we really need to tell you that? Apparently Paul thinks so. But this is so much more than some white collar crime to misappropriate thousands of dollars from the company coffers. This isn’t about the amount but the sin behind it. Don’t sneak stuff out of the supply closet. Don’t juggle the numbers on your expense report so that you actually make out like a bandit. Don’t steal time by goofing off when you should be working. Every one of these are examples of how each one of us skims from the top. Sticky fingers are a sign that what you and I were taught didn’t stick.

We’re called to be “showing all good faith” when we’re at work. This has a couple of very important aspects. First of all, a follower of Jesus should be faithful and steadfast in their work. We don’t give up when things get tough. We must stick to a project until it’s complete. Our Savior is the ultimate example of powering through in the most difficult circumstances. Aren’t you glad He didn’t give up when it got hard? The other implication is that there should be absolutely no separation between our work life and our faith in Jesus. I haven’t just given Him my Sunday mornings. He’s my Lord 24/7/365. That clearly includes when I’m on the job. My trust in Christ should have a tremendous impact on how I work. It becomes obvious to folks around me at work that what I’ve learned about my faith has stuck.

The Apostle Paul then tells us the reason why first century bondservants and 21st century employees should shine at work. “So that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (v10). A closer look at the original language reveals the verb kosmeo, which means to decorate, embellish, make beautiful and attractive. It’s the same root that gives us our word cosmetics. Jesus slammed the religious police for being hypocrites and spending money to “decorate (Gr. kosmeo) the monuments of the righteous” (Mt 23:29). Christ’s crew was blown away with the ornate decorations of the temple and “how it was adorned (Gr. kosmeo) with noble stones and offerings” (Lk 21:5). Pete writes that women who follow Jesus don’t so much worry about their makeup and wardrobe but “adorn (Gr. kosmeo) themselves, by submitting to their own husbands” (1Pet 3:5). Does how I work make what I know about Jesus more attractive to those around me?

Here’s the deal. If we claim to follow Jesus, my shoddy work, laziness, and a bad attitude trashes His rep. It reveals that we really don’t have an understanding about who He is, what He’s done, and who we are without Him. How we work should make Jesus more attractive and more beautiful to those around us. I’m not talking about slapping a Jesus fish on your car. This isn’t about slinging a cross around your neck. It has nothing to do with dropping a Bible on your desk. All of those things may be awesome. But a great witness for what He’s done in my life is to bust my butt and be a hard worker. Will I fall short? You betcha. Will I bring embarrassment on the One who rescued me? Take it to the bank. But when I do, I must be accountable to my mistakes and know that nothing that happens at work changes my standing in Him. 

As followers of Jesus, we’re called to have sticky faith, not sticky fingers.

Building Boom

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit” (v20).

Construction isn’t sexy. At least, not to me. Our family made its living in the building business. But I wanted no part of 2x4s, power saws, and nail guns. To me, building was boring. It wasn’t until we built our own house that became completely consumed by construction. Okay, let’s be clear. I didn’t “build” anything. I just showed up on the job site everyday to see what the crew had done. But at that point, construction was VERY sexy. I saw the value in an extremely well-built home. The more work that went in to putting it up made it that much harder for something to knock it down. 

That’s the picture that Jude paints here. He writes to followers of Jesus to build themselves up in their trust of their Savior. With Christ as the foundation, they’re to continue their well-crafted construction. The stronger the building, the harder it is to tear down. Why is that such a big deal? A demolition team of false teachers are traveling from church to church tearing them down from the inside out (Jude 4, 18-19). Good construction on a solid foundation makes quick destruction very, very difficult. Great construction on an immovable foundation makes destruction impossible. We must build ourselves up in Jesus to ensure nothing can ever take us down. 

After spending most of his letter warning against a this crew of spiritual snake oil salesmen, Jesus’ kid brother turns his attention back to his fellow believers. “But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith” (v20). Here toward the end of his note, the author starts talking alike a contractor. He uses language you here on a construction site. No, not THAT kind of language! Jude talks about how the church should be “building up” each other. This is the Greek verb epoikodmeo, which literally means to construct a house upon its foundation or “to build upon” something.

Having good building materials is the key to quality construction. It’s no different when we’re building up God’s people. First of all, there must be a great foundation. There’s nothing better than immovable Rock of God. “Christ Jesus Himself being the Cornerstone” (Eph 2:20). Once He’s in place, He cannot be moved. “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1Cor 3:11). Once we build on Him, we’re not going anywhere when the storms come (Mt 6:24-27). Another key building material isn’t found at Lowe’s or the Home Depot. It’s God’s Word. The Apostle Paul told the leaders of the Ephesian church to forget bricks and mortar and use “the word of His grace, which is able to build you up (Gr. epoikodmeo)” (Acts 20:32). Don’t forget to encourage each other to cling to Christ. “Encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” (1Th 5:11). Think of that as reinforcing the structure.

Jude points back to his big Brother when he drops the line “in your most holy faith” (v20). What makes our faith holier than any other is that it is unlike any other. Think of “most holy” as completely different than anything the world has ever known. This is not about faith in ourselves to get things done. The foundation of our faith is our trust in who Jesus is and what He’s done. He lived the perfect life that I’ve completely failed to live. He died the death for my sin that I should have died. He rose to a new life that absolutely do not deserve. Jesus has done for me what I could never dream of doing for myself. My faith is in Him. My trust is in what He’s done for me. I believe that I have everything I will ever need in Christ Jesus. That’s why Paul stepped back from the construction site to get a look at what the project looked like. “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up (Gr. epoikodmeo) in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught abounding in thanksgiving” (Col 2:6-7). Again, this is in stark contrast to the destructive work of the false teachers who are busy trying to tear down the church. They “cause divisions” (Jude 19). Jude tells his readers to grab a hammer and work at “building yourselves up” (v20).

A critical part of the construction is for us to be “praying in the Holy Spirit” (v20). Think of this as continually going back to the Architect and the Contractor. Jesus is not only the rock steady foundation, but He is the One who’s designed this amazing structure. He’s the Architect. This is His church (Mt 16:18). Think of His Spirit as the Contractor. He’s the One who’s on the job site that we talk to. “When the Spirit of truth comes He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come” (Jn 14:13). God’s Spirit is particularly skilled at helping us to talk to God. “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings to deep for words. And He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Rom 8:26-27). Paul tells his Ephesian friends to always call on God using His Spirit, “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Eph 6:18). Again, in huge contrast to the hucksters who are weaseling into local churches. Jude has just told us that they are “devoid of the Spirit” (Jude 19). It’s kind of like the old cheer in high school. “We got Spirit, yes, we do! We got Spirit, how ‘bout you?” When it comes to the false teachers, the answer would be a resounding “no!” 

When it comes to our faith in Jesus, there’s a building boom. And there’s no sign that it should slow down anytime soon.

The King of Kings and the Boss of Bosses

Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with Him (Eph 6:9).

A bad boss makes for a toxic work environment.  There are few things worse than a bully in the role of supervisor.  Everybody is constantly looking over their shoulder.  Everybody is intimidated.  There’s the constant threat of being put on probation.  There’s the constant threat of being demoted.  There’s the constant threat of a pay cut.  There’s the constant threat of a horrible assignment.  There’s the constant threat getting fired.  Here in his letter to his friends back in Ephesus, Paul says there’s no place for horrible bosses in God’s kingdom.  “Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with Him” (v9).  

This command doesn’t just out fly out of left field.  Remember the context.  The apostle desperately wants the Ephesian believers to remember who they are in Christ.  Make sure you soak in the Tsunami of Blessings and realize all that God has done for you (Eph 1:3-14).  Before Jesus got ahold of us, we were among the original Walking Dead (Eph 2:1).  But God didn’t just put a bandaid on our boo boo, He “made us alive together with Christ” (Eph 2:5).  As recipients of His grace, God’s descending one-way love, we need to stop bragging about anything we’ve done (Eph 2:7-9).  Jesus did it ALL!  With that proper perspective of who we are in Christ, Paul then tells us to “be imitators of God” (Eph 5:1).  “Walk in love” just like Jesus (Eph 5:2).  That means we lovingly and willingly cooperate with each other, “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Eph 5:21).

From his cell in the Roman joint, prisoner Paul tells us what this looks like when we apply it practically to the home (Eph 5:22-6:4).  Now he turns his attention to the workplace.  Bosses are to “do the same to them” (v9).  What is “the same?”  Who are “them?”  In the previous verses Paul writes to slaves (Eph 6:5-8).  For our purposes, let’s make this employees.  Four different times he tells workers that they have a sacred responsibility to serve Jesus on the job.  You are to do what the boss tells you “as you would Christ” (Eph 6:5).  You’re not just punching a clock, you’re “servants of Christ” (Eph 6:6).  You’re not just following the boss’ orders but “doing the will of God from the heart” (Eph 6:6).  You’re not just working for the man but working “to the Lord” (Eph 6:7).  Paul reminds CEOs, presidents, VPs, regional managers, department heads and all supervisors that they also have a sacred calling at work.  Treat your employees “as you would Christ.”  Manage the folks under you “as servants of Christ.”  You’re also “doing the will of God from the heart.”  Supervise employees with care and concern “as to the Lord.”  Bosses are to “do the same” for their workers because of the One they ultimately report to.  Don’t see this as a convenient loophole for the big kahuna.  The supervisor’s treatment of his or her employees is NOT dependent on how the employees act.

Just because you find yourself over a team of people, that’s absolutely no reason to start throwing your weight around.  “Stop your threatening” (v9).  The literal translation of this command is “leave threatening alone.”  A closer look at the original text sees the word aniemi.  It means to relax, loosen, give up or calm down.  During the big Philippian quake, all the shackles “were unfastened (Gr. aniemi)” (Acts 16:26).  When the ship Paul was taking to Rome was about to slam into the shore in the big storm, the crew was “loosening (Gr. aniemi) the ropes” that tied the rudders.  The writer of Hebrews reminds us of God’s promise to keep us tightly in His grip.  “I will never leave (Gr. aniemi) you or forsake you” (Heb 13:5).  Loosen up, boss.  Don’t keep such a kung fu grip on the people who work for you.

The one in charge must quit “threatening” (v9).  This is the Greek apeileo, which means intimidation when certain conditions aren’t met.  Paul knows all about using the threat of brutality and punishment.  Before Jesus ambushed Saul and transformed him into His number one agent for the Gospel, the man from Tarsus was “breathing threats (Gr. apeileo) and murder against the disciples” (Acts 9:1).  If folks didn’t stop worshiping Jesus, he wouldn’t just ask them to quit.  He would torture them.  He would kill them.  Saul didn’t make a promise that he didn’t keep.  Forget Dale Earnhardt.  Saul was the true Intimidator.

Paul tells bosses to stop using the threat of violence as a hammer from the managerial toolbox.  While slavery in the first century was very different than what happened in the American South, slave owners in the Greco/Roman world could still be quite brutal.  Slaves were property.  Owners continually used beatings to punish them.  Servants were under the threat of physical punishment.  Moving that into a modern context, managers and supervisors must stop intimidating folks who work for them.  Don’t torment the people who report to you.  Being a good boss does not mean being a bully.  When it comes to intimidation, stop using it.  Let it go.  Give it up.  Drop it.

The reason is actually quite simple.  We need to understand that the boss works for the same Person as the lowest employee on the org chart.  And I’m NOT talking about some high payed CEO or the stockholders.  That would be Jesus.  Christ “is both their Master and yours” (v9).  Paul clues the Colossians in on this very same idea.  “Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven” (Col 4:1).  Christ sits on His throne in heaven.  Think of it as the ultimate corner office.  He’s EVERYBODY’S Boss.  He’s over the part-timers.  He’s over the full-timers.  He’s over the short-timers.  He’s over the long-timers.  The King of Kings is the Boss of Bosses.  No matter how high you’ve climbed the corporate ladder, you’re His direct report.  Let that sink in just a minute.  Imagine getting THAT call.  “The Boss would like to see you in His office.”  GULP!

But as the Boss of Bosses, Jesus is the perfect CEO.  “There is no partiality with Him” (v9).  He doesn’t just hold the ultimate power but He uses it without regard to whom He’s dealing with.  Just after his divine one-on-one mountaintop retreat with the Boss, Moses told the Israelites, “For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial” (Dt 10:17).  Despite being the most powerful Being in the history of the universe, God doesn’t just hobnob with the big shots.  He cares deeply about each and every person.  Pete came to understand that Jesus was saving both Jews and Gentiles because “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34).  So any supervisor who threatens and intimidates employees needs to remember that the Big Boss won’t automatically side with them just because of where they sit in the structure of the company.  Jesus is impartial.

Who’s the Boss?  He’s the Boss.  The Boss of Bosses.

This is where you come in.  What do YOU think?  Agree or disagree?  Drop a comment below.  I would love to hear from you.

Who's the Boss?

Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free (Eph 4:5-8).

Who’s the boss?  Who do you work for?  Paul wants us to realize that while I might be an employee with a supervisor, my true boss is Christ.  I report directly to Jesus.  The apostle has just finished instructing us on what relationships in the home between wives, husbands and kids look like when we’re walking in love and submitting to one another (Eph 5:21-6:4).  At this point, he moves from the family to the workplace.  “Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free” (v5-8).  His bottom line: work hard because you ultimately work for Jesus.  Who’s the boss?  He’s the Boss!

My Savior is my Supervisor.

Let’s be clear about something right out of the chute.  Paul is NOT endorsing slavery.  Instead, he’s recognizing that Jesus is an incredible impact on an existing social institution.  In three separate letters written at the same time, the apostle has important instructions for slaves who are coming to faith in Christ.  As a matter of fact, he writes to his buddy Philemon about how to receive and forgive his runaway servant Onesimus.  Paul also writes to the larger Colossian church that Phil and his family belong to with teaching specifically for slaves (Col 3:22-25).  And then we read his directive to the folks in Ephesus we see in these verses.  Again, Paul isn’t putting his stamp of approval on slavery.  He knows that when Jesus rolls up His sleeves and changes hearts, He will use this awful institution as an important tool for His glory and the good of His followers (Rom 8:28; Gen 50:20).

In the first century, “bondservants” (v5) make up a significant portion of the the Roman empire.  Historians estimate that 10-15% of the population were slaves.  Slavery in the empire isn’t based on race or ethnicity.  In most situations, economics are behind it.  People are in debt and this was a way to work it off.  Some servants work their butts off doing excruciating manual labor.  Others work in the home.  And still other slaves are actually highly skilled and have white collar jobs, such as teachers, accountants and even physicians.  There’s a pretty good chance that Paul’s buddy Dr. Luke, the author of the third Gospel and the book of Acts, is a former slave.

Since slavery isn’t a part of American culture in the 21^st century, what do we do with this command?  The best application is to see it through the lens of the working man.  Most of us have “earthly masters” (v4).  Most of us are employees.  Most of us work for someone else.  Most of us have a boss.  Let’s swap out the word “bondservants” and drop in “employees.”  One thing that doesn’t change 2,000 years later is our ultimate Supervisor.  We all truly work for Christ.

My Savior is my Supervisor.

Paul tells the worker to “obey your earthly masters” (v5).  He uses the Greek verb hupakouo.  This word literally means to listen under.  Think of being under someone’s authority.  It’s being at someone’s beck and call.  It’s the same term the apostle uses a couple of verses back when telling kids to do what their parents tell them.  Same for the worker and the boss.  When they call, you answer.  When they say “jump,” you say “how high?”  One scholar says it’s like being ready to answer the door when the bell rings.  It’s being ready and willing to obey what you’re told to do.  When they call, there’s no eye rolling.  There’s no heavy sigh.  When the boss gives you your assignment, it’s not an inconvenience.  It’s your JOB!!  We’re to respond to our supervisor “with fear and trembling” (v5).  This doesn’t mean employees are to literally shake in their shoes in terror when the boss calls.  This is respect.  This is honor.  God makes it VERY clear that every last one of us is under authority in one way or the other (Rom 13:1-7).  We’re also to go to work “with a sincere heart” (v5).  Paul’s describing a singleness of purpose.  There’s no hidden agenda on the part of the employee.  Sure, I want my paycheck every two weeks.  No question about that.  But I’m to share my boss’ agenda and vision.  As long as my supervisor isn’t asking me to do something that causes me to break the law or sin against God, we’re to be on the very same page.

I’m not just to work hard when folks are watching either.  Don’t just bust your butt “by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers” (v6).  When the cat’s away, the mouse shouldn’t act like a rat.  Christ followers must be self-starters in the workplace.  Get to work.  Stay focused.  Here’s the hard truth.  To NOT work when you’re on the clock is stealing.  You and I are being paid to use our skills and talents on someone else’ dime.  Stop jacking around when the boss isn’t around.  

And the key reason we bear down is because of Whom we’re really working for.  Jesus.  Not once but four times in these verses, Paul reminds me that my Savior is my Supervisor.  You obey your boss “as you would Christ” (v5).  We’re not just employees of a particular company but “servants of Christ” (v6).  We serve on mission in the workplace “doing the will of God from the heart” (v6).  We work hard with a great attitude “as to the Lord and not to man” (v7).  Who’s the boss?  He’s the Boss!  Ultimately, my Savior is my Supervisor.  I serve gladly Him out of the overwhelming gratitude that He’s drenched me in His overwhelming grace (Eph 1:3-14).  This isn’t about cranking out a good product at work because I have a good earthly boss.  This is letting my light shine on the job for the One who did for me what I could never do for myself.  My work DOES matter to God!  That’s because of Whom I really work for when it’s all said and done.  

My Savior is my Supervisor.

I would love to hear what YOU think?  Drop a comment below and we'll chat.