Though the Bible does not specifically call out how we should behave as employees, all of our Christian values apply to how you should behave and treat others wherever we are, including at work. This includes our employer, even if they do not treat us that way. This is how we serve Jesus by living as a light to show others the way to Him.
By looking at what the Bible says about the relationship between slave and master we can get some additional perspective by applying those principles to employees and employers. Both Colossians 3: 22-25 and Galatians 3:28 speak about how a slave in the ancient near east was called to serve his/her master.
Keep in mind here that the context of slavery in Old Testament Israel was very different than what we think about today. Is God a Moral Monster? by Dr. Paul Copan is a great resource to study this topic further.
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. 23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.[e] 25 But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.
28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile,[o] slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.
God makes no distinction between owner and slave, employer and employee. We are one in Christ Jesus. Another way to think about it captured in Matthew 7:12.
12 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.
This entire message must still be taken in context of the remainder of scripture. We can not submit so much to your employer that we neglect what else God calls us to do… especially the role God calls us to play in our family or the church.
Take some time in prayer right now. Ask God to show you areas where you need to change in regard to your employer or business partners. Listen and don’t rationalize your behavior. Allow God to reveal to you His high standards which you should follow.
Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ
Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.