The Apostle Paul writes these words in Eph. 6:9, “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.”
Warren Wiersbe writes, “The Christian faith does not bring about harmony by erasing social or cultural distinctions. Servants are still servants when they trust Christ, and masters are still masters. Rather, the Christian faith brings harmony by working in the heart. Christ gives us a new motivation, not a new organization. Both servant and master are serving the Lord and seeking to please Him, and in this way, they are able to work together to the glory of God.”
What are some of the responsibilities of a Christian master (or emplyer0 to his workers?
- He must seek their welfare. The master must be a servant of the Lord Jesus if he expects his servants to do the same. A great example of this is the Bible is that of Boaz in the Book of Ruth. Wiersbe wrote the following,
“His relationship with his workers was one of mutual respect and a desire to glorify God.”
- He must not threaten. The Christian master has a better way to encourage obedience than to threaten the slave. In a parallel passage in Col. 4:1, Paul wrote, “Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.”
- He must be submitted to the Lord. Both the slave and the master must practice the Lordship of Christ. If a person is in submission to the Lord, they will have no trouble submitting to those who are over them. A man who is a leader or a master/employer must lead by example.
- He must not play favorites. Wiersbe writes,
“The Christian employer cannot take privileges with God simply because of his position; nor should a Christian employer play favorites with those under his authority.
Larry Miles is Co-Editor of Word & Work and attends Cherry St. Church of Christ in New Albany, IN