Workplace Relationships.

I Timothy 6:1-2

While I was attending Baptist Bible College, I worked alongside a number of other college students. One student was continually stopping work to “witness” to other employees. Several times I saw the person he had been talking to get chewed out for not getting their work done, and after a time he was fired himself. He was always sure he was fired because of his Christian testimony. He was right, but because he had such a bad testimony with his fellow employees and employer. He seldom held a job more than a couple of weeks before being fired. Fearing that others would be the same way, his employer later refused to hire other students.

A group of students were hired by one church to carry stones for a stone mason who was putting up a huge stone wall. Some of them made only a few trips carrying the smallest stones they could find. When confronted about it they said they weren’t being paid enough to justify more. That evening, two students were called in and given other assignments and raises because they had done so much, but were instructed to say nothing to the others, who were let go as soon as the stones were all moved. Those two worked until the building was finished.

Scripture addresses the maintaining of a good testimony at work in several instances. To employers or fellow employees the Christian represents Christ. His attitude and actions portray what we think as Christians, and those around us are forced to believe that is what Christ is like. A poor attitude at work by one who claims to be a Christian turns people away from Christ. Paul addresses this with these verses.

“Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.” (I Timothy 6:1-2)

No matter what one’s job, it should be done to please Christ, not just to get by at the moment. While the employer may sign our paychecks, we are actually working for God. Ephesians 6:5-9 describes the situation. “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; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.”

Colossians 3:22-25 advises that God will reward appropriately whether for good or evil. “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”

Titus 2:9-10 advises that not taking advantage by theft of materials or time glorifies God and Christ. “Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.” As Peter 2:18 states, it doesn’t matter whether it is a good boss or a bad one. “Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.”

I Corinthians 7:21 repeats the fact that it doesn’t matter whether you are an employee of someone else or not, a Christian is still God’s full time employee. “Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” We are not to enslave ourselves to others when Christ paid for us. Employers, debt and leaders can all seek to enslave us. Don’t allow them to do so.