Respect employers.

1 Timothy 6:1-2

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.
Click for a description of the image of the beast.

1 Timothy 6:1-2 is talking about the relationship between bondservants and masters, which is equivalent to today’s relationship between employees and employers. This is to focus on the idea that in this world there will always be those in authority over others. Our employment and wages depend on respecting those in authority. Jesus spoke a parable in Luke 16:1-18 to describe how Christians should work for their employers.

Also, the entire chapter of Philemon is centered on the runaway slave named Onesimus. Ephesians 6:5-9, Colossians 3:22-24, Titus 2:9-14, 1 Peter 2:18-25, Ephesians 6:9, Colossians 4:1, 1 Corinthians 7:22 also talks about the relationship between bondservants and masters.

“Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.” 1 Timothy 6:1

This verse is referring to Christian slaves working for unbelieving masters. [The next verse talks about Christian slaves working for Christian masters]. Working for unbelievers is definitely no easy task since the majority of employers serve the beast that gives them what to speak and do towards employees and what to think and feel about those who work under them. Unfortunately, they are not favorable of Christians. Those who live in the presence of the Holy Spirit find themselves enduring “garbage” tasks, undesirable work hours, given unreasonable goals and demands, a “cold shoulder” from co-workers”, lower than expected job evaluations, not considered desirable for work promotions, few bonuses, no elevated pay rates, etc. Not to mention terminations or being pushed into quitting. Even so, we are to remain respectful to those in authority over us and to live for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In order to be respectful at the workplace, it’s necessary to turn the other cheek, as Jesus says, “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” Matthew 5:39

“Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.” Luke 6:22-23

I retired at the age of 62, which is early by the standards here in the United States. That was the happiest day of my life, and I will be 67 in April.

“And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.” 1 Timothy 6:2

The entire chapter of Philemon is about a Christian slave who ran-away from a Christian master named Philemon. The new Christians were growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, who brought a radical and new idea, that slaves and masters were to be thought of as equals in Jesus Christ, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

If it ever happened that a Christian employee found a job working for a Christian employer, we are to be grateful for the work. We do not want to be be envious, bitter, or agitated in any way because a Christian is able to succeed as a business manager and we are not. As fellow followers of Jesus Christ, we want fellow Christians to benefit from the work we do for them because they are loved by the Lord. With that, Christian employers would not be abusive to Christian employees [like unbelieving employers are]. Christian employers want the image of Christ to speak and live through them, but unbelieving employers allow the image of the beast to speak and live through them.

“The early Christian way of dealing with slavery was not condemned as an institution; if it had been, there would have been danger of Christianity touching off a vast servile revolt, and in the process encouraging social revolution, rather than proclaiming a message of spiritual salvation, a gospel of reconciliation of men to God. Slaves were told to serve well and so glorify Christ; masters were told to remember in all their dealings with slaves that they have a Master in heaven to whom they must give account. By realizing that they had spiritual freedom in Christ, slaves had the sting taken from their bondage. When masters were told to love their slaves, the principle was provided which inevitably would lead to the abolition of slavery.”

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11