Ephesians 6:9 - The Workplace: Christian Masters or Employers

Today we will continue here in Ephesians chapter 6 and we're looking at verse 9 as Paulis talking about the workplace. Yesterday, as you know, he talked about theservant or the employee and gives instructions to them as a Christian employeeand what are your responsibilities? Now, he's talking to the employer or themaster. The Christian faith does not bring harmony by erasing social orcultural distinctions. Servants were still servants when they trusted Christ,and masters were still masters. Rather, Christianity brings harmony by changingthe heart. Christ gives us a new motivation, not a new organizationalstructure. Both servant and master are ultimately serving the Lord and seekingto please Him. When that is true, they are able to work together for the gloryof God. So what are the responsibilities of a Christian master—or, in our day,a Christian employer? 1.He Must Seek the Welfare of His Workers. Paul says, “Do the same things untothem.” If an employer expects his workers to do their best for him, then hemust do his best for them. The master must serve the Lord from the heart if heexpects those under his authority to do the same. A Christian employer mustnever exploit his workers. One of the finest biblical examples of thisprinciple is Boaz in the Book of Ruth. Boaz greeted his workers by saying, “TheLord be with you!” and they replied, “The Lord bless thee!” (Ruth2:4). Boaz was sensitive to the needs of his workers and generous toward Ruth,a stranger. His relationship with his employees was marked by mutual respectand a shared desire to glorify the Lord. Sadly, it is sometimes said, “Myboss claims to be a Christian, but you’d never know it.” That ought neverto be the case. 2.He Must Not Threaten. Paul also instructs Christian masters to give upthreatening. Roman masters possessed tremendous authority, even the legal rightto kill a rebellious slave—though few did so, since slaves were expensive.Still, the power to threaten was very real. Paul teaches that the Christianemployer has a far better way to encourage obedience and service. Fear is apoor motivator. It often results in less effort, not more, and it cannot besustained over time. A much better motivation is fairness and justice. Paulreinforces this in Colossians 4:1, reminding masters to provide what is justand equal. When a worker is allowed to share in the results of his labor,he will work better and harder. 3.He Must Be Submitted to the Lord. Paul reminds masters, “Your Master also isin heaven” (Ephesians 6:9). This is the practical outworking of thelordship of Christ. Throughout Ephesians, we see this pattern:Wheneach person submits to the Lord, submission to human authority becomes far lessdifficult.Jesustaught that the pathway to leadership begins with servanthood. The person whois not under authority has no right to exercise authority. This explains why somany of God’s leaders were servants before they were rulers—Joseph, Moses,Joshua, David, and Nehemiah, to name a few. Even after becoming leaders, theywere called to lead by serving. God actually often addressed Moses as, “Myservant Moses”. 4.He Must Not Show Partiality. Paul closes by reminding us that there is nopartiality with God (Ephesians 6:9). God judges or rewards both master andservant according to obedience or disobedience (Ephesians 6:8). A Christianemployer must not assume special privilege before God because of position, norshould he play favorites among those under his authority. Paul warned Timothyto observe these principles without preferring one before another (1Timothy 5:21). Few things divide a workplace faster—or destroy leadership morequickly—than favoritism.