Relating to the Employer

Eph. 6:5-6 – “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.”

The Word of God gives us practical instruction concerning our attitude toward those we serve in the place of our employment. Today’s text certainly gives helpful advice to those who want to serve the Lord and their “masters.” We are to behave in a godly way toward our employers and those who are over us in the workplace. One of the places our Christian testimony is most influential is in our vocational life. It is in this environment that our peers and supervisors are able to see how our faith affects our attitudes and actions. It is one thing for our light to shine in the house of worship, yet another thing for it to shine at the job site. We are admonished in the Bible to obey our boss: “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh.”

A key factor in our workplace relationships is that we are taught to look at our employment activities as being “unto Christ.” We are doing what we are doing for the Lord and His glory. It is more than just a means to earn funds in order to pay for our obligations. A Christian view of working at a job adds meaning and fulfillment to this responsibility. We are not simply to be “menpleasers,” we are “doing the will of God from the heart.” When we see our time spent in the place of employment as a part of God’s will and our service to Him, it provides incentive to be the kind of witness and example that God wants us to be. We want to be good witnesses for the Lord.

Our attitude and work habits should be such that they reflect well on our Savior. Much of our lives is spent at our place of employment. The average person will spend more time each day relating at his job than he will spend with his family. Because of this, we certainly need a biblical perspective on this part of our lives. It is not simply a duty that we must perform. Our job should be considered a part of our ministry and our testimony before a lost and needy world.