"Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as our reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven."
Colossians 3:22-4:1 (ESV)
Though Paul is not endorsing slavery, he shows that life in the Spirit conquers any and all circumstances. Some have argued that since the instructions regarding slavery are not longer applicable, we can and should disregard other of Paul's instructions as being outdated. These usually include instructions regarding the family, especially about the husband being the head and the wife being submissive. Quickly we can see that such suggestions fail to acknowledge that slavery was a perversion of God's creation and that the family structure is according to God's creation.
The point is clear. Since we are people of the new covenant we have a new way of approaching everything. Though there is a major difference in the relationship between an employer and the employee and that of a master and slave, we can see that the way we approach the work place is the same. We do not ultimately work for any man. We work for Christ. No matter what the particular job, we work for his pleasure and not for our boss. However his pleasure demands that we work with the highest excellence. Our work testifies of our true Master. He does not do sloppy work.
I am sorry that such an unnecessary division has occurred between the secular work place and the ecclesial work place. Some still think that work done in church related activities are more pleasing to God than work done in the field, or in the office. Work done for the singular pleasure of God is actually worship. Wouldn't it be grand if every Christian worked with a consciousness of Christ's presence? Think of the quality of work! Think of the sense of fulfillment on the part of the worker!
One who works for God will be paid by God. He uses the human economy but is not limited by it. God will not be in debt to any of us. And, not only do we get our needs met by our eternal employer, we get the inheritance. By Roman law, slaves could never get the inheritance. We are not slaves but sons. We get the inheritance--the blessing God had in mind when he first made covenant with Abraham. It includes the Spirit, who makes our relationship with God the Father personal and real.
No longer do we have to endure the week of work waiting for the weekend. We can embrace our work as a primary opportunity to represent Christ and actually enjoy each assignment as given by him. Remember, he rewards both the worker and the human employer without partiality-either good or bad.
SYNERGY - Better Together: October 01, 2010 click for more > Five Pillars of New Testament Discipleship: : October 15, 2010 click for more > Family Reunion Retreat: December 03, 2010 click for more >
