Colossians 3:22-4:1 Employer/Employee Relations

Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. [Colossians 3:22-4:1 NASB]

More than half of the people walking the streets in Rome were slaves. They encompassed a wide selection of the population including "professional people" such as teachers and doctors, as well as laborers and servants.

Thank God, slavery is no longer condoned in the civilized world. Our closest analog is the employer/employee relationship. The legal status may have changed, but the principles still apply.

Employees are to obey their bosses, not just when they are looking, and not just to please your boss. Work as if Jesus is your Boss, and you are doing the will of God. Someone might say, "But I have such an unreasonable boss." it doesn't matter. As long as you work for that person, you still have to work as unto the Lord. Peter says;

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. [1 Peter 2:18-20 NASB]

Someone may have a Christian boss. You share the faith, and you may feel like you can get away with doing less since your Christian boss may be more willing to let it go. But Paul tells Timothy;

Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles. [1 Timothy 6:2 NASB]

Bosses, for their part, are to treat their employees justly and fairly, remembering that they are answerable to God.

When you do your work as unto the Lord, whether as a boss or an employee, you are promised a reward from God. One day, we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. This is not to determine whether you go to heaven or hell; as a Christian, that is already settled. This is to receive your reward for service to God.

You might say, "But, I've never preached the gospel, or led a home group, or led a person to Christ. I just worked in an office all my life." But when you do your work as unto the Lord, He sees it as service to Him. You get your reward as surely as a full-time preacher of the gospel.

Whether you have labored in the sun all your life, or have been a receptionist behind a desk, or have been a corporate manager, you can stand before the throne of Jesus and hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Father, I thank you for the opportunity to serve You, and that I will not lose my reward. I pray that You will make me effective in my work, to the glory of Your name.