85 Most Read Bible Verses---#79--Colossians 3:22-25

Colossians 3:22-25 (NASB)

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.

If Paul had written this passage today, he would have used the word “employees” rather than the word “slaves” (or also translated as “servants).  However, in his time in the first century AD, slavery was a normal way of life, especially in a world dominated by the Roman Empire.  It is not my purpose to comment on the biblical view of slavery, but rather to comment on the biblical expectations of an employee.

This is a very difficult passage to obey if you are working for a “master on earth” who is cruel, manipulative, self-serving, unappreciative or otherwise difficult-to-impossible to work for and please.  In reviewing main characteristics of “bad bosses”, here is a partial list:

·  Poor communicators, dishonest, withhold information

·  Poor prioritizing, poor organizers

·  Show favoritism, intimidate, ignore or belittle

·  Use inappropriate disciplinary procedures, figuratively slap employees in the face

·  Take credit for others’ ideas and contributions, blame others for their mistakes

·  Fail to provide rewards or recognition

·  Changes mind, flip-flops, unable to make good decisions

·  Fondness for following petty rules, micromanaging

·  Preference for weak workers, “yes-men”, are intimidated by smarter employees

·  Just flat-out incompetent

Not liking or respecting the boss is the #1 reason for employee morale problems, low productivity, and quitting the job.  Yet, if you are a Christ-follower, what is this passage from Colossians 3:22-25 instructing you to do with respect to your job and to the person(s) to whom you report and/or to whom you are accountable?

·  Obey (literally to subordinate yourself) to your boss with sincerity of heart.

·  Do your work heartily (the Greek word translated heartily is “psyche” that means both “life” and “soul”).  You put your whole heart and soul into your work.

·  Avoid doing wrong in the workplace.

All of these commands are relative to your position/status as a Christ-follower.  You are to work honestly and sincerely, meaning that you are not working simply to please other people.  You are working to please the Lord.  In other words, and this is hard to accept, your primary motivation for working is not to make more money or earn that next promotion, but to work in a way that you gain eternal rewards from the Lord.  A Christian worker should be the best worker on the job.  You should not do wrong---e.g. cause trouble or be a disagreeable employee.  Indeed, working like this very well might cause jealousy or resentment from co-workers who are not working to please the Lord.  Your motive always should be to maintain your Christian character regardless of what others might think of that perspective.  Yet you are not to use your faith and motivation to please the Lord as a weapon against others.  I have seen Christians in the workplace who cause a lot of problems because they tend to be judgmental of others who do not have the same motivations.

Matthew 5:16 says “to let your light shine before men” and there’s no better place for this to happen than in the workplace.  Your light will shine when you always tell the truth, never back-stab others, never complain, never use sexual innuendos or other inappropriate language, and always work and interact with integrity.  That is the ideal Christian servant in the work place and indeed that is very hard to do all the time.  But, you must try because you are working to please Christ as your main motivation. 

         

Haddon Robinson is quoted: “Your work may be tedious. You may have an employer who doesn't appreciate you or pay you what you're worth. You may want to quit. But you are working for Christ.  Do your daily work so that your Master in heaven can one day say to you, ‘Good job. Well done’".  That is the reward of the inheritance from the Lord.  Consider your workplace---although this might be the most difficult thing you can do---to be a sanctuary where you are doing the most service for Christ!